Water Quality Standards Regulations: Florida

Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this state.

The EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy. For each document listed under "State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes", the EPA has made a reasonable effort to identify parts of the standards that are disapproved or are otherwise not in effect for CWA purposes. Additionally, please note the documents may also contain provisions that the EPA does not have the authority and duty to act on under the Clean Water Act because the provisions are not water quality standards.

• What is a New or Revised Water Quality Standard Under CWA 303(c)(3)? - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) (108.04 KB)

• State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes
• Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

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State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes

Sections of Florida Administrative Code Addressing Water Quality Standards

The EPA has not taken any action under section 303(c) regarding those provisions which are not water quality standards. Please refer to cover page.

• Section 62-302 - Surface Water Quality Standards (pdf) (906.79 KB)
  (Effective March 27, 2018) This document establishes water quality standards for surface waters.
  • EPA has determined that some of the provisions are not water quality standards. Water quality standards consist of these components (40 CFR §131):
    • Designated uses are those uses specified in water quality standards for each water body or segment whether or not they are being attained.
    • Criteria are expressed as constituent concentrations, levels, or narrative statements, representing a quality of water that supports a particular use. When criteria are met, water quality will generally protect the designated use.
    • Antidegradation policies protect the level of water quality necessary to maintain the existing uses.
    • General policies, variances, compliance schedule authorizing provisions, and federally promulgated water quality standards.
  The EPA has not taken any action under section 303(c) regarding those provisions which are not water quality standards. A description of the provisions that the EPA determined are (or are not) water quality standards can be found in the attachments:
  • Attachment A - Provisions of the March 2013 Implementation Document (pdf) (349.48 KB)
    Supplemental document with provisions that constitute new or revised water quality standards
  • Attachment B - Provisions of the Process for Reclassifying the Designated Uses of Florida Surface Water (pdf) (180.04 KB)
    Supplemental document with provisions that constitute new or revised water quality standards
  • Attachment C - Provisions of the SCI Primer (pdf) (57.89 KB)
    Supplemental document with provisions that constitute new or revised water quality standards
  • Attachment D - Related to Location of Endangered Species Specific Dissolved Oxygen Criteria (pdf) (533.02 KB)
  • Attachment E - List of CWA Effective Type I and Type II Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSAC) (pdf) (244.45 KB)

Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSACs) Established by Florida

• Site Specific Alternative Criteria for Florida (pdf) (4.29 MB)

• Florida has adopted a number of Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSACs) that are in effect for Clean Water Act purposes. SSACs are either adopted or established by Secretarial order. Historically the specific SSAC have not been listed in the Florida water quality standards regulations.

List of Nutrient TMDLs that are Hierarchy 1 Interpretations Under Rule 62-302.531(2)(a), F.A.C.

• List of Nutrient TMDLs for Florida (pdf) (440.08 KB)
  The list of TMDLs have been fully approved as site-specific interpretations of the narrative nutrient criterion.  For nutrient parameters or chlorophyll a not listed in the table for a given waterbody, the generally applicable NNC listed in Rules 62-302.531 and 62-302.532, F.A.C., apply based on the waterbody type.

Variances Established by Florida

• Water Quality Standards Variances for Florida (pdf) (125.93 KB)
  Florida has adopted several variances and has submitted those to the EPA for approval. Historically the variances have not been listed in Florida water quality standards regulations. Additional detail regarding these the EPA approved variances can be found at the link.  

Sections of Florida Administrative Code Addressing Water Quality Standards

• Section 62-4—Permits (pdf) (382.29 KB)
  (Effective July 24, 2017) This document contains all of Section 62-4, although only 62-4.242 through 62-4.246 include water quality standards provisions. Not all sections are effective for Clean Water Act purposes; please refer to cover page.
• Sections 62-600.120 and 62-660.300, F.A.C. (pdf) (86.83 KB)
  Exemptions for Domestic Wastewater Facilities and Industrial Wastewater Facilities.
• Section 62-611 (pdf) (350.65 KB)
  This document contains sections 62-611.450, 62-611.500, and 62-611.600 that address treatment and receiving wetland, including discharge limits, permitting requirements, and standards apply within the waterbodies.
• Section 62-303 - Identification of Impaired Surface Waters (pdf) (1.07 MB)
  (Effective July 24, 2017) This document establishes the methodology and protocols by which the state identifies, lists, and delists impaired surface waters.
  • The EPA has not yet acted upon the revisions to 62-303.720(2)(k)2 and 62-303.720(2)(k)6 and therefore, are not in effect for CWA purposes.
  • The EPA has determined that some of the provisions are not water quality standards.  Water quality standards consist of these components (40 CFR §131):
    • Designated uses are those uses specified in water quality standards for each water body or segment whether or not they are being attained.
    • Criteria are expressed as constituent concentrations, levels, or narrative statements, representing a quality of water that supports a particular use.  When criteria are met, water quality will generally protect the designated use.  
    • Antidegradation policies protect the level of water quality necessary to maintain the existing uses.
    • General policies, variances, compliance schedule authorizing provisions, and federally promulgated water quality standards.

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Sections of Florida Statute (F.S.) Addressing Water Quality Standards

• Everglades Forever Act, Section 373.4592(4)(f), F.S. (pdf) (352.01 KB)
  Provision from Everglades Forever Act addressing best management practices in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA).
• Grizzle-Figg Statute, Section 403.086, F.S. (pdf) (154.46 KB)
  This provision addresses sewage disposal facilities and advanced secondary treatment of discharges from such facilities.
• Discharge of Demineralization Concentrate, Section 403.0882, F.S. (pdf) (105.56 KB)
  (Effective December 13, 2006) Please note that only sections 403.0882(4) and 403.0882(6) were updated in December of 2006.

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Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

• Water Quality Standards to Protect Human Health in Florida
• 40 CFR §131.36  Toxics criteria for those states not complying with Clean Water Act section 303(c)(2)(B)
• 40 CFR §131.44  Florida