Water Quality Assessment

P.O. Box 4314
Baton Rouge, La. 70821-4314
Email: Water Quality Assessment Division
Phone: (225)219-3557
FAX: (225)219-3240

Water Quality Assessment in Louisiana

Water quality in Louisiana is managed under the two broad areas of surface water and groundwater. Surface water management seeks to protect the quality of all waters of the state, including rivers, streams, bayous, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, estuaries, and many other types of surface water. Groundwater management seeks to protect the quality of all waters found in underground aquifers as well as the surface water sources of that groundwater.

!Quick Link to Water Quality Assessments in Louisiana!

!Quick Link to Ambient Water Quality Data in Louisiana!

Current Events

Louisiana Water Quality Management Plan, Volume 4: Basin and Subsegment Boundaries - Updates to the Management Plan have been completed. Public comments are being accepted through December 2, 2008. More information regarding these updates can be found at the Louisiana Potpourri.
- Draft Water Quality Management Plan, Volume 4
- Draft Water Quality Management Plan, Volume 4: Appendix A
2008 Water Quality Integrated Report Public Notice - The LDEQ Water Quality Assessment Division is now receiving public comments on its 2008 Water Quality Integrated Report (Clean Water Act 305(b) Report /303(d) List ). The following three documents comprise this public notification.

Due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike this public notice period has been extended 20 days. The new closing date will be October 15, 2008.

Following completion of this public notice period LDEQ will respond to any comments received and develop the final full Integrated Report. LDEQ's response to comments will be included as part of the final Integrated Report. For more information regarding this public notice and Louisiana's water quality assessment process please contact Mr. Albert E. Hindrichs at (225) 219-3557 or by email at Water Quality Assessment Division.

DEQ has recently completed a Use Attainability Analysis in the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins. The final report and supporting documents are available for public viewing.

Surface Water

Water Quality Management Plan/Continuing Planning Process
Developing Nutrient Criteria for Louisiana: 2006 - Mutually agreed upon (with EPA) nutrient criteria plan, June 20, 2006.
Water Quality Regulations and Standards - Louisiana's Water Quality Regulations can be found at this link. Look for Part IX: Water Quality in the table entitled ERC (LAC Title 33). Chapter 11 of Part IX provides all water quality standards (designated uses and criteria) for Louisiana.
Water Quality Surveillance Home Page - LDEQ's Surveillance Division conducts ambient surface water monitoring.
Ambient Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data - Surface water quality data collected routinely by LDEQ at locations throughout the state.
Water Quality Assessments (305(b)/303(d) Integrated Report) - Surface water assessments to determine needs for protection and improvement of water quality.
Water Quality Surveys for TMDL Development - LDEQ's Water Quality Surveys Section conducts surface water sampling for TMDL development.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program - LDEQ's TMDL program develops surface water quality models to determine acceptable pollutant discharge loads for water bodies.
Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) Program Page - LPDES program established water discharge limits and permits used to protect water bodies.
Nonpoint Source (NPS) Water Pollution Control - LDEQ's NPS program seeks to reduce water quality pollution due to nonpoint sources of water pollution.
Louisiana's Fishing and Swimming Advisories - Fish consumption and swimming advisories issued jointly by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and LDEQ.
DEQ Mercury Initiative - LDEQ's program to reduce and where possible eliminate mercury releases to the environment.

Ground Water

Aquifer Evaluation and Protection - Ground Water, Drinking Water, Wellhead Protection, Source Water Assessment, Drinking Water Protection Program

Water Quality Education

Water Quality Educational Resources - Links to water quality educational resources for teachers, students and the public.