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Classification and Standards Unit :: Home Page




Welcome to the Classification and Standards Unit Home Page

The Classification and Standards Unit is responsible for development and implementation of the state's surface water quality standards (numeric and narrative) and surface water body classifications such as Water Supply (WS), High Quality Waters (HQW), and others; coordination of the Section's rule-making proceedings and the Environmental Management Commission's Water Quality Committee and Groundwater Committee. Groundwater quality standards are also located within the Unit.
CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION
  
What are Surface Water Classifications and do they affect me?
Searchable PDF reports
DWQ Primary Classifications (C, B, WS-I, SC, etc.), DWQSupplemental Classifications (FWS, HQW, NSW, ORW, etc)
Allowable development activities, buffers, BMPS, etc.
Allowable development activities, buffers, BMPS, etc.
How are these Classifications determined? Can they Change?
SURFACE WATER STANDARDS INFORMATION
About NC Surface Water Standards
What are Surface Water Standards and how are they used?
The Complete NC "REDBOOK" (PDF) [1 May 2007]
Surface Waters and Wetlands Standards
NC Redbook Standards Table (PDF) [1 May 2007]
Pollutant Standards, Criteria and Toxic Concentrations assigned to salt and fresh water
NC and EPA Criteria Table (PDF)  [28 Mar 2008]
Pollutant Standards, Criteria and Toxic Concentration assigned to salt and fresh water
NC's Nutrient Criteria Implementation Plan
Plan laying out the best techniques to control excessive nutrients
Surface Water Triennial Reviews
Triennial review of standards and classifications
GROUND WATER STANDARDS INFORMATION
Ground Water Rules (PDF) [Dec 7, 2006]
Appendix: Interim Maximum Allowable Concentrations (PDF)
Basis for PFOA (C8) Interim (PDF)
Recomended Interim Maximum Allowable Concentration for PFOA
DOWNLOADABLE MAPS
 
Hydrography, Water Supply Watersheds, River Basins, ORW, Trout Waters, Class B Waters, Permits, Monitoring, etc.
DWQ GIS Data Downloads
  Hydrology-based shapefiles for use with GIS software
 
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY LINKS
DWQ Rules Webpage - Admin. Codes and Statutes
   Environmental Management, Classifications by Basin, Permitting, etc.
Division's Calendar for Public Hearings and Meetings
  Dates, Locations, Public Notices
Environmental Management Commission (EMC)
  Adopts rules for protection, preservation and enhancement of State's air and water resources
Hearing Officer Reports
  Report archive
Goose Creek Watershed Rules
  Proposed Rule Documents, Maps, Public Hearing Info, etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LINKS
Water Quality Standards Program
  Aquatic Life, Human Health, Nutriets, etc.
ECOTOX Database
  Chemical toxicity information for aquatic and terrestrial life
IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) Database
  Compiles reports on substances that cause human health effects
Major Environmental Laws
  Laws that influence environmental protection and influence EPA's regulatory process
Clean Water Act
  History, introduction, updates, etc.
CFR Title 40: Protection of Environment
  Code of the Federal Regulations that deals with protecting the environment and human health
STAFF CONTACTS
Classification and Standards Unit
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For comments or suggestions about this page, contact Jeff Manning. 

Last Updated on April 11, 2008