Water Quality Standards Variances
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WQS Variance Overview
A water quality standards (WQS) variance is a tool that states, territories and authorized Tribes may use to improve water quality over time. These time-limited WQS strike a balance between providing states, territories, authorized Tribes and dischargers the time and flexibility to make incremental water quality improvements reflecting the best that can be achieved in a given time period, with accountability measures to assure the public that progress will occur. A WQS variance can be used when it is uncertain how much progress can be achieved, but it is known that some progress is possible, and states, territories and authorized tribes don’t want to give up on working toward water quality improvement.
In 2015, the EPA published a final rule updating the federal WQS regulation to improve implementation of the Clean Water Act (80 FR 51019) in six key areas. Specifically, the EPA established the WQS variance requirements at 40 CFR 131.14 to provide a better-defined pathway for states, territories and authorized Tribes to adopt WQS variances to improve water quality, and to increase transparency and enhance opportunities for meaningful public engagement at the state, territorial, Tribal and local levels.
WQS Variances Overview Presentation
This WQS Variance Overview presentation explains the basics of WQS variances and how they can help to make water quality improvements.
WQS Variance Infographics
The EPA has developed a series of infographics to explain the basics of WQS variances, communicate their value, and describe opportunities for meaningful public engagement throughout the WQS variance process.
WQS Variances: A Clear Path to Improve Water Quality
This infographic is written in plain language to help states, territories and authorized Tribes effectively communicate to public stakeholders what a WQS variance is, how a WQS variance can be used to gain incremental improvements in water quality, and how interested stakeholders can get involved.
- Infographic: Water Quality Standards Variances - A Clear Path to Improve Water Quality (with EPA Logo) (pdf) This version of the WQS variances infographic contains EPA’s logo and WQS variance website link for general use.
- Infographic: Water Quality Standards Variances - A Clear Path to Improve Water Quality (Customizable) (pdf) This version of the WQS variance infographic does not contain EPA’s logo or website and may be customized by the user.
Strengthening Water Quality through WQS Variances
This infographic describes the value of using WQS variances to improve (i.e., “strengthen”) water quality over time.
Your Input is Important to a Successful WQS Variance
These infographics describe how public stakeholder input can provide a state or authorized Tribe with critical information for making sound decisions early and throughout the WQS variance process. These infographics are geared toward stakeholders who are already familiar with WQS – such as members of environmental organizations and active community-based groups – to encourage meaningful collaboration and public engagement in the WQS variance process.
- Infographic: Your Input is Important to a Successful State Water Quality Standards (WQS) Variance (pdf)
- Infographic: Your Input is Important to a Successful Tribal Water Quality Standards (WQS) Variance (pdf)
Coordination with the Public is Key to a Successful WQS Variance
These infographics describe how coordination with public stakeholders can provide a state or authorized Tribe with critical information for making sound decisions early and throughout the WQS variance process. These infographics are geared toward state or Tribal WQS staff to explain the value of public engagement and where opportunities for meaningful collaboration with the public can result in a successful WQS variance process.
- Infographic: State Coordination with the Public is Key to a Successful Water Quality Standards (WQS) Variance (pdf)
- Infographic: Tribal Coordination with the Public is Key to a Successful Water Quality Standards (WQS) Variance (pdf)
WQS Variance Building Tool
The online tool is designed to help states, territories and authorized Tribes determine whether a WQS variance is appropriate for a particular situation and, if so, how to navigate the requirements of 40 CFR 131.14.
The EPA has also developed several resources to accompany the WQS Variance Building Tool including a collection of frequently asked questions that will help highlight what information the state, territory, or authorized Tribe should be thinking about before they begin using this tool, and a checklist for determining if a state or authorized Tribe has met the regulatory requirements for a WQS variance applicable to specific dischargers.