Watershed Management Bureau

  Surface Water Quality Assessments [305(b) and 303(d)]

    What is a Section 305(b) Report and Section 303(d) List?

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act [PL92-500, commonly called the Clean Water Act (CWA)], as last reauthorized by the Water Quality Act of 1987, requires each state to submit two surface water quality documents to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) every two years. Section 305(b) of the CWA requires submittal of a report (commonly called the "305(b) Report"), that describes the quality of its surface waters and an analysis of the extent to which all such waters provide for the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allow recreational activities in and on the water.  

The second document is typically called the "303(d) List," which is so named because it is a requirement of Section 303(d) of the CWA. The 303(d) List includes surface waters that are:

1. Impaired or threatened by a pollutant or pollutant(s).
   
2. Not expected to meet water quality standards within a reasonable time even after application of best available technology standards for point sources or best management practices for nonpoint sources.
   
3. Require development and implementation of a comprehensive water quality study (a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study) which is designed to meet water quality standards.