Guidelines for Preparation of the Comprehensive State Water Quality Assessments (305(b) Reports) and Electronic Updates: Report Contents

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (PL92-500, commonly known as the Clean Water Act), as last reauthorized by the Water Quality Act of 1987 (PL100-4), establishes a process for States to use to develop information on the quality of the Nation's water resources. The requirements for this process are found in Sections 106(e), 204(a), 303(d), 305(b), and 314(a) of the Clean Water Act (see Appendix A of the Guidelines Supplement). Each State must develop a program to monitor the quality of its surface and ground waters and prepare a report describing the status of its water quality. EPA is to compile the data from the State reports, summarize them, and transmit the summaries to Congress along with an analysis of the status of water quality nationwide. This 305(b) process is the principal means by which EPA, Congress, and the public evaluate whether U.S. waters meet water quality standards, the progress made in maintaining and restoring water quality, and the extent of remaining problems. In 1996, 56 States, Territories, Interstate Commissions, and Indian Tribes prepared 305(b) reports.