National Summary of Water Quality Conditions(1994)

The contents of this section summarize the information contained in the National Water Quality Inventory: 1994 Report to Congress. The National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress is the primary vehicle for informing Congress and the public about general water quality conditions in the United States. This document characterizes our water quality, identifies widespread water quality problems of national significance, and describes various programs implemented to restore and protect our waters. The National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress summarizes the water quality information submitted by 61 States, American Indian Tribes, Territories, Interstate Water Commissions, and the District of Columbia (hereafter referred to as States, Tribes, and other jurisdictions) in their 1994 water quality assessment reports. As such, the report identifies water quality issues of concern to the States, Tribes, and other jurisdictions, not just the issues of concern to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that the States and other participating jurisdictions submit water quality assessment reports every 2 years. Most of the survey information in the 1994 Section 305(b) reports is based on water quality information collected and evaluated by the States, Tribes, and other jurisdictions during 1992 and 1993. It is important to note that this report is based on information submitted by States, Tribes, and other jurisdictions that do not use identical survey methods and criteria to rate their water quality. The States, Tribes, and other jurisdictions favor flexibility in the 305(b) process to accommodate natural variability in their waters, but there is a trade-off between flexibility and consistency. Without known and consistent survey methods in place, EPA must use caution in comparing data or determining the accuracy of data submitted by different States and jurisdictions. Also, EPA must use caution when comparing water quality information submitted during different 305(b) reporting periods because States and other jurisdictions may modify their criteria or survey different waterbodies every 2 years. For over 10 years, EPA has pursued a balance between flexibility and consistency in the Section 305(b) process. Recent actions by EPA, the States, Tribes, and other jurisdictions include implementing the recommendations of the National 305(b) Consistency Workgroup and the Intergovernmental Task Force on Monitoring Water Quality. These actions will enable States and other jurisdictions to share data across political boundaries as they develop watershed protection strategies. EPA recognizes that national initiatives alone cannot clean up our waters; water quality protection and restoration must happen at the local watershed level, in conjunction with State, Tribal, and Federal activities. Similarly, this document alone cannot provide the detailed information needed to manage water quality at all levels. This document should be used together with the individual Section 305(b) reports (see the inside back cover for information on obtaining the State and Tribal Section 305(b) reports), watershed management plans, and other local documents to develop integrated water quality management options.