Water Quality Standards for Wetlands - OLD

Water quality is an important factor in managing wetlands. Water quality in wetlands is affected by the type of soil, vegetation, position on the landscape, topography, water quantity (amount of flow), climate, groundwater and surface water chemistry, and hydrology. States are increasingly interested in developing water quality standards for wetlands (which may differ in criteria from water quality standards for streams or lakes).

A water quality standard is a legally established state regulation consisting of three main parts: (1) designated uses, (2) criteria and (3) anti-degradation policy, and often a fourth part, general policies addressing implementation.To date, 15 states have adopted wetland-specific water quality standards. NAWM has provided resources for states and tribes that are developing criteria for adoption of water quality standards, as well as other information related to wetlands and water quality, on this page.

NAWM prepared four issue papers for the State of Maryland in 2010 with recommendations for the state to develop criteria for adoption of state wetland-specific water quality standards. They have been updated with funding support from the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency.

For an overview paper, “State Water Quality Standards for Wetlands," click here.