1. Nevada Bureau of Water Quality Planning Nevada Water Quality Standards 2011

2. Water Quality Standards • Nevada Water Quality Standards • NAC 445A.119 – 445A.225 • These NAC numbers will change

3. Clean Water Act • Objective – “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters” • Goal – attain fishable and swimmable conditions wherever possible • Purpose - protect public health and welfare, enhance quality of water and meet the purpose of the Clean Water Act

4. Clean Water Act KEY ELEMENTS - of Water Quality Standards • Designated beneficial uses • Criteria to protect beneficial use • Antidegradation provision (RMHQ)

5. Nevada Water Quality Standards 1) Beneficial Uses, NAC 445A.122 • Municipal or domestic supply • Irrigation • Watering livestock • Propagation of aquatic life (coldwater, warm water fish) • Propagation of wildlife • Enhancement of water quality

6. Nevada Water Quality Standards Beneficial Uses (continued) • Industrial Supply • Waters of extraordinary ecological or aesthetic value (Lake Tahoe) • Recreation involving contact with the water (swimming) • Recreation not involving contact with the water (boating)

7. Nevada Water Quality Standards Factors in Designating a Beneficial Use • Existing uses • Public concerns • Desired potential uses

8. Nevada Water Quality Standards 2) Criteria for water quality • Numeric values which protect uses • Utilize sound scientific rationale • Criteria are guidelines in establishing standards • Other criteria may be used (NDOW) • Natural conditions

9. Nevada Water Quality Standards 3) Antidegradation • Nevada Revised Statute 445A.565 requires that any surface water whose quality is higher than the applicable standards must be maintained in their higher quality

10. Nevada Water Quality Standards Types of Standards 1) Narrative, applies to all surface waters 2) Toxics 3) Class waters – Phase out 4) Designated waters

11. Nevada Water Quality Standards 1) Narratives, NAC 445A.121 • Applies to all surface waters in Nevada regardless of beneficial use • Waters must be “free from” • Floating debris, oil and grease • Toxic and corrosive compounds • Radioactive materials • High temperature, etc.

12. Nevada Water Quality Standards 2) Toxics, NAC 445A.144 • Applies to Designated (and Class) waters • Specific list of metals, pesticides and other chemical compounds • Municipal and Domestic Supply, Aquatic Life, Irrigation, and Livestock Watering

13. Nevada Water Quality Standards • 3) Class waters, NAC 445A.124 – 127 • (We have changed the class waters structure • and created a table for each waterbody) • Class “A” through “D” • Beneficial uses specified by class • Numeric criteria specified by class • Waterbodies listed by counties

14. Nevada Water Quality Standards 4) Designated Waters, NAC 445A.145 - 225 • Specific lakes or river reaches • Individual water quality standards • Requirements to Maintain Higher Quality (RMHQ) • Main Stem - Humboldt, Truckee, Colorado… - Class waters

15. Nevada Water Quality Standards Reaches - Class and Designated • Physical characteristics (confluence) • Changing land uses • Beneficial uses (fish species)

16. Nevada Water Quality Standards • Waters that have standards • Rivers • Perennial Streams • Waters that we do not set standards • Ephemeral streams – generally not • Springs (safe drinking water) • Stock watering/irrigation canals

17. Nevada Water Quality Standards Adoption Process • Target a Basin/Water or an Issue (toxics) • Meet with stakeholders • NDEP proposes water quality standards and/or standard revisions • Public workshops conducted • Public comment received and reviewed • State Environmental Commission • Submittal to State Legislative Committee and the AG’s Office • EPA for approval

18. Thank You Bureau of Water Quality Planning Bureau Chief Kathy Sertic- (775) 687-9455 ksertic@ndep.nv.gov WATER QUALITY STANDARDS John Heggeness - (775) 687-9449 jheggene@ndep.nv.gov Special Projects /TMDL Coordinator Randy Pahl - (775) 687-9453 rpahl@ndep.nv.gov Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water Quality Planning 901 S. Stewart Street, Suite 4001 Carson City, Nevada 89701 fax (775) 687-9561 www.ndep.nv.gov/ http://ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/index.htm