Water Monitoring and Reporting | Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

The Agency provides a variety of reports and templates to ensure transparency, compliance, and consistency across environmental programs. This section includes public‑facing reports that the agency is required to publish, giving communities access to important environmental data and updates. It also outlines reporting requirements for the regulated community, including the forms and documentation that must be submitted to the agency to meet permit and compliance obligations. To make reporting easier, the agency offers standardized templates and guidance documents that help applicants and regulated entities prepare accurate submissions. These resources are designed to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and ensure that all reports meet state and federal environmental standards.

Monitoring

Ambient Water Quality Monitoring

LDEQ collects surface water quality data in its Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program as well as for other projects in water bodies across the state.

Over 600 ambient water quality monitoring sites have been established since 1958 but not all sites are currently in use. In 1998, the department established a four-year rotating monitoring program in order to expand the coverage of its monitoring efforts. LDEQ collects ambient surface water data at approximately 125 sites across the state each month. In addition, 21 sites on 16 water bodies are monitored every month of every year as long-term trend sites in the ambient monitoring program. In addition to the ambient program, water quality data is also collected at various water bodies for a variety of specialized projects.

This water quality data is used for establishing water quality criteria or standards, assessment of conditions, and development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). TMDLs are one means of establishing water quality discharge permit limits and Nonpoint Source Pollution reduction recommendations for the protection and improvement of surface water quality in Louisiana.

Water Surveys

The Water Surveys Section was first created as part of the TMDL Program, which is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1972, the EPA developed the Clean Water Act (CWA) to help reduce pollution and set water quality standards for contaminants in rivers, lakes, and other surface waters. A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is the highest amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can handle without violating these standards.

The Water Surveys Section studies Louisiana waterbodies that do not meet water quality requirements and are listed on the EPA’s 303(d) list of impaired waters.

Water Surveys

Agency Reports

Agency Report Series

Permit Watch - Pending Final Action

This report provides a complete list of all permit applications that have been filed with the agency but have not yet received a final decision. Each entry identifies the applicant, the location of the proposed activity, and the type of permit being requested. The report also includes the date the application was received, along with company details and permit type information. By posting this report, the agency ensures transparency and makes it easy for the public, businesses, and community members to track pending permit actions and stay informed about environmental compliance.

Permit Final Status

Ambient Water Quality Portal

Ambient water quality data, as well as other water project data, collected by LDEQ is available by accessing the LEAU Web Portal.

To locate the Ambient Water Quality Monitoring data click on “VIEW SITES” under “Ambient Water Quality.”
Water quality data for other LDEQ projects can be accessed under “Projects,” “Sites Map,” and “Mercury Initiative.”

Water quality data may also be obtained by contacting the LDEQ Public Records Group. For questions regarding the LDEQ Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program, Mercury Initiative or other programs, please contact the Water Planning and Assessment Division.

LEAU Web Portal LDEQ Public Records

Integrated Report

The Integrated Report (IR) is the current format for the state’s biennial reports on the water quality of Louisiana surface waters. The IR, formerly known separately as the 305(b) Report and the 303(d) List, is a requirement of the federal Clean Water Act. It is developed every even numbered year and submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval of the 303(d) List portion of the report.

Louisiana Water Quality Integrated Report

Facility Reports

Compliance Submissions

Discharge Monitoring Reports

Wastewater monitoring results shall be reported at the intervals specified in the permit and shall be submitted through NetDMR (Network Discharge Monitoring Report) unless LDEQ gives written authorization to the permittee to submit monitoring results in an alternate format such as paper DMRs.

Visit the LDEQ NetDMR Page

Non-Compliance Reports

A Non-Compliance Report (NCR) is required whenever a facility violates a wastewater permit, particularly when violaitons endanger public health/environment, exceed permitted limits, or involve failures in control equipment.

NCR (doc) NCR (pdf)