This toolkit compiles available Agency resources to facilitate state adoption of numeric nutrient criteria. It includes information on: criteria and standards development; water quality monitoring, assessment, reporting, and planning; permitting, WQBELs, and trading; economics and financing; and communications materials. This dynamic toolkit will be updated as new Agency materials are developed.

The Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) has developed a companion Nutrient Toolkit page, where state materials—similar in content to the Federal materials on this EPA toolkit—will be housed. ACWA’s preliminary state toolkit was developed in partnership with the EPA.

For further information on states' and territories' progress in adopting numeric nutrient criteria see our State Development of Numeric Criteria for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Pollution website, and for information on state nutrient data, see the Nutrient Indicators Dataset.

Useful public content for understanding the role that numeric nutrient criteria can play in creating and protecting clean water bodies is available at the EPA Nutrient Pollution website.

Criteria Documents

• Actions to Help States Address Barriers to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Implementation (2012-2014)
• Preventing Eutrophication: Scientific Support for Dual Nutrient Criteria
• Guiding principles for integrated nutrient criteria (bioconfirmation)
• Expert Workshop: Nutrient Enrichment Indicators in Streams
• Multiple discharger variance FAQs
• Nutrient criteria technical guidance manuals: Lakes/Reservoirs, Rivers/Streams, Estuaries/Coastal waters
• Revised water quality standards handbook
• Revised water quality standards regulations
• Stressor–response guidance for nutrient-based criteria
• Technical support compendium for numeric nutrient criteria
• “What is a new or revised water quality standard under CWA 303(c)(3)?” - FAQs