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Lower High Falls, Talladega Forest - Bill Wilson
Water Quality
ADEM administers a number of programs related to the State's surface water quality. These programs include:

Water Quality Standards - include both the designated uses of surface waters and the criteria intended to protect those uses. Designated uses are listed in ADEM regulations at 335-6-11 and the criteria are found in 335-6-10.
EPA's Water Quality Standards Program
Waterbody Segments with Special Designations
Waterbody Segments Classified as Outstanding Alabama Waters
Waterbody Segments Classified as Public Water Supply
Category 4 Water Bodies
Category 5 Water Bodies
2021 Triennial Review Response to Comments
Water Quality Report to Congress (305(b) Report) - biennial report submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency as part of the national water quality assessment required by the Clean Water Act. This report provides a summary of activities related to surface water quality and an assessment of surface water quality conditions in Alabama.
2022
2020
2018
2016
2014
2012
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
List of Impaired Waters (303(d) List - list of waterbodies in Alabama that do not fully support their designated uses based on a review of water quality data and information. The list is submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for approval after an opportunity for public comment. The list includes the causes and sources of water quality impairment for each waterbody listed and a schedule for development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for each pollutant causing impairment.

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development - for waterbodies included on the 303(d) list the State must determine the amount of each pollutant causing water quality impairment that can be allowed such that the water quality standards for the waterbody are maintained. The TMDLs are developed according to a specified schedule and must be approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency after an opportunity for public comment.

Waste Load Allocation Development - waste load allocations are developed for proposed and existing dischargers to surface waters in support of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits that are protective of water quality standards.

ADEM & EPA Wasteload Allocation Agreement

Water Quality Planning - Section 303(e) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that each State establish and maintain a continuing planning process (CPP) consistent with the CWA and pertaining to all navigable waters of the State. The State is responsible for managing its water quality program to implement the processes specified in the CPP. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for periodically reviewing the adequacy of the State's CPP. Alabama's CPP is an umbrella document that provides the framework to coordinate and unify the activities and procedures necessary for maintaining waters of an acceptable quality throughout the State, in a manner consistent with the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act and the federal Clean Water Act.

Continuing Planning Process

Surface Water Quality Monitoring Strategy

Annual Surface Water Quality Monitoring Plan (SWQMP)

View ADEM Data at: How's My Waterway - Home (epa.gov)

Water Quality Reports

Water Quality Modeling Information

Water Quality Modeling User Guide
Spreadsheet Water Quality Model (SWQM)

Mixing Zone Modeling Information

Mixing Zone Flowchart
Mixing Zone Guidance
Mixing Zone Spreadsheet Calculator
Required Mixing Zone Information
Mixing Zone Lake Schematic
Mixing Zone River Schematic
Coastal GIS Files
Lakes/Reservoirs GIS Files

Contact Information

ADEM Water Quality Monitoring
Attn: Field Operations Division
Post Office Box 301463
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463
(334) 260-2700
(334) 394-4326 Fax