New Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Pollutant Loading Tool

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new tool that provides the public with information about discharges into local waterways. The Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Pollutant Loading Tool brings together millions of records and allows for searching and mapping of water discharges by local area, watershed, company, industry sector, and pollutant.

Searches using the DMR Pollutant Loading Tool result in “top ten” lists to help users identify facilities and industries that are discharging the most pollutants and impacted waterbodies. When discharges are above permitted levels, users can view the violations and link to details about enforcement actions that EPA and states have taken to address these violations.

A link to the new tool can be found on EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website, which provides information about inspections, facility compliance, and state and federal enforcement actions. EPA has also released several new ECHO features, including a search for criminal enforcement cases and web developer tools for ECHO reports and maps.

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.

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Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program AWQCP Agreement Signed

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state of Minnesota to develop a new state program for farmers designed to increase the voluntary adoption of conservation practices designed to protect local rivers, streams and other waters by reducing fertilizer run-off and soil erosion. USDA and EPA will offer support to Minnesota in developing “certainty agreements” for water quality improvements on private agricultural lands and eligible tribal lands in high priority watersheds.

The MOU signing is the first step toward developing the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (AWQCP), designed to increase the adoption of recommended conservation practices to improve water quality on agricultural land. The MOU signing formalizes the state-federal partnership and confirms a joint commitment to developing and implementing the program. Minnesota and its partners will establish a Technical Advisory Committee to develop the certification program that will support the state’s water quality standards and goals. The committee will solicit input from stakeholders in designing criteria to provide certainty for producers who have voluntarily attained or maintained a certain level of water quality improvements on their agricultural land. Minnesota will test the program in several pilot watersheds.

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.

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EPA Approves Some and Disapproves Other Proposed Changes To Iowa Designated Uses

EPA has approved the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) designated use changes for 430 water bodies and disapproved proposed changes for 89 water bodies. Designated uses describe the achievable recreational activities and aquatic life uses for Iowa’s waters.

IDNR submitted these new and revised Iowa surface water quality standards to EPA for review and approval, as required by the Clean Water Act (CWA). The state based its recommendations on site-specific field data gathered by IDNR in and near streams, lakes and rivers. This submission updates the use designations to determine the highest attainable use for the individual waters. Designated recreational uses protect for activities such as swimming, fishing and canoeing; and for human consumption of aquatic life. Aquatic life uses provide for the protection and maintenance of a healthy environment for fish and other animals.

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