Monday, June 18, 2012

Kansas KDHE Impaired Waters List Approved

In a June 5, 2012, decision letter, EPA has approved the Kansas list of impaired waters, which removes 561 waters from the previous impaired waters list and adds 121 waters. This decision brings the total number of impaired waters in the state to 1,330.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) submitted its impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval as required by the Clean Water Act. The act requires EPA to review the state’s list of impaired waters to determine if the state reasonably considered available water quality-related data, and identifies waters to be listed.

A water body is placed on the impaired waters list when monitoring finds that pollutant levels prevent the lake, river, or stream from attaining its beneficial uses. Beneficial uses in Kansas include human recreation, agricultural water supply, and maintaining healthy aquatic life.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website