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
Public Notice: The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality announces the beginning of a public comment period for the 2012 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) - All interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the 2012 Integrated Report and Rationale. Information for providing comments on the report is contained in the following three documents. Comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 29, 2012. All comments should be addressed to Ms. Lixin Tang, Office of Environmental Services, Water Permits Division, P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70821- 4313, or by e-mail at lixin.tang@LA.GOV. For additional information please contact Mr. Albert Hindrichs at (225) 219-3212 or by e-mail at al.hindrichs@LA.GOV.
- Public Notice - 2012 Integrated Report on Water Quality in Louisiana
 
- Louisiana's 2012 Integrated Report and 303(d) List: Methods and Rationale
- Final DRAFT 2012 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report Assessments
FINAL Partially Approved 2010 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) - The 2010 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) was partially approved by EPA on November 17, 2011; EPA proposed to disapprove Louisiana's decision not to list three water bodies. Assessments of dissolved oxygen for three coastal subsegments (LA021102_00, LA070601_00, and LA120806_00) remain in question pending completion of EPA's decision document public notice process. All other assessments for the 2010 Integrated Report have been fully approved by EPA. EPA Region 6 will post their final decision on the 303(d) List in the Federal Register. EPA's decision will be reflected in future updates to this Web site.
FINAL 2008 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) - The 2008 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) was approved by EPA on September 28, 2011
Notice of Public Request for Water Quality Data and Information Pursuant to the 2012 Integrated Report (Sections 303(d) and 305(b)) on Water Quality 
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)
FINAL DRAFT 2010 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) - The Final Draft of the 2010 Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report was submitted to EPA Region 6 on January 18, 2011. This represents LDEQ's Final Draft of the Integrated Report, meeting requirements of sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Included in this Integrated Report is LDEQ's Response to Comments received during the public notice of this document in 2010. While this Integrated Report combines requirements of sections 305(b) and 303(d), EPA only has approval/disapproval authority regarding that portion of the report that constitutes the section 303(d) List. EPA Region 6 will post their final decision on the 303(d) List in the Federal Register.
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.
Draft antidegradation implementation procedures available for public review and comment (Potpourri Notice # 0909Pot1):
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. |