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. For more information on surface water quality data, standards, and assessment please email Water Quality Contact.
Current Events
The public comment period for the 2012 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) closed February 29, 2012. All comments received will be addressed as part of the final 2012 Integrated Report, which will be submitted to EPA Region 6. The final 2012 Integrated Report will be posted to this Web site upon completion and submittal to EPA.
FINAL 2010 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) - The 2010 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) was approved with three subsegment revisions by EPA on March 22, 2012. The report is now considered final.
Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Network (QAPP_1004_R04) 
Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Network (QAPP_1004_R05)
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. The proposed rule (#WQ075) based on the UAA documentation can be found here.
All Other Activities and Reports
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 Inspections Home Page - LDEQ's Inspections Division conducts ambient surface water monitoring.
GIS Center - Provides mapping information for Louisiana's water bodies, monitoring sites, and more.
Ambient Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data - Surface water quality data collected routinely by LDEQ at locations throughout the state.
Water Quality Assessments - Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) - Surface water assessments to determine needs for protection and improvement of water quality. Reports available are from 1996 through 2010.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program
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.
Caney Lake (LA081505_00) Monitoring Project |