Water Quality Standards

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The DNR manages water quality through the implementation of the state's Water Quality Standards. These standards are found in Chapter 61 of the Iowa Administrative Code. The States Water Quality Standards help ensure that all Iowans have surface waters that are fishable and swimmable to the fullest extent practicable, safe drinking water, groundwater that is free from harmful contamination, protection from the adverse effects of floods, and water resources that are put to their best beneficial uses.

Wasteload Allocation Procedure and E. coli Criteria Update Rulemaking

DNR is revising the wasteload allocation procedure methodology and E. Coli criteria listed in Ch. 61. The most recent versions of the documents are shown below. The documents will become effective only after they are officially adopted into DNR rule.

Links to the rule making documents:

Final WLAP (November 2017)
WLAP & E. coli Adopted and Filed
WLAP & E. coli Responsiveness Summary
WLAP & E.coli NOIA
Fiscal Impact Statement
Jobs Impact Statement

+ Antidegradation

+ Use Assessments and Use Attainability Analysis

+ Chemical Criteria

+ Triennial Review

Under the Clean Water Act, a state shall from time-to-time hold public meetings for the purpose of reviewing applicable water quality standards and, as appropriate, modifying and adopting standards. See Chapter 61: Water Quality Standards. This review includes but is not necessarily limited to: Designated Uses, Criteria, and Antidegradation.

The state of Iowa is beginning its next triennial review period (2018-2020). As part of that process, the DNR is holding public hearings for the public to voice their opinions on the DNR's water quality standards priorities during the triennial review period.