State, Tribal & Territorial Standards

EPA has compiled state, territory, and authorized tribal water quality standards that are EPA-approved or were effective prior to May 30, 2000, for Clean Water Act purposes. Some of these documents are more recent than May 2000.

These state and tribal water quality standards constitute the baseline of water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act purposes. Any revisions determined to be less stringent must be approved by EPA prior to use in Clean Water Act programs.

This site will be updated periodically to reflect EPA approved revisions and additions to state and tribal water quality standards. For the most recent version of a state or tribe's water quality standards please contact the appropriate Regional EPA Water Quality Standards coordinator. If you find any errors, please contact us.

Water quality standards currently in effect

Click on the map or drop down menus below to find state water quality standards currently in effect. To view the designated uses of water bodies in table or map form for selected states, see EPA's Water Quality Standards Database. Designated uses are one component of water quality standards.

Tribes | Territories

Choose a state from the map or list below. 

Due to the varied nature of each state's regulatory and statutory process and the differences in which each state, territory, and tribal water quality programs are constructed, a state, territory, or tribe's water quality standards may contain additional provisions that are outside the scope of the Clean Water Act and the implementing federal regulations or EPA's authority. In some cases, these additional provisions have been included within this compilation of water quality standards as supplementary information or for context.