Classification and Standards Unit :: Home Page

Welcome to the Classification and Standards Unit Home Page

The Classification and Standards Unit is responsible for development and implementation of the state's surface water quality standards (numeric and narrative) and surface water body classifications such as Water Supply (WS), High Quality Waters (HQW), and others; coordination of the Section's rule-making proceedings and the Environmental Management Commission's Water Quality Committee and Groundwater Committee. Groundwater quality standards are also located within the Unit.

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION
About NC Surface Water Classifications
	What are Surface Water Classifications and do they affect me?
Find Your Waterbody's Classification!
	Searchable PDF reports
Surface Water Classification Types Explained
	DWQ Primary Classifications (C, B, WS-I, SC, etc.), DWQSupplemental Classifications (FWS, HQW, NSW, ORW, etc)
Trout Buffer Frequently Asked Questions Brochure (PDF)
	What are Trout Buffers and how might they effect me?
Guide to Freshwater Classifications Chart (PDF)
	Allowable development activities, buffers, BMPS, etc.
Guide to Tidal Saltwater Classifications Chart (PDF)
	Allowable development activities, buffers, BMPS, etc.
Reclassification Process
	How are these Classifications determined? Can they Change?

SURFACE WATER STANDARDS INFORMATION
About NC Surface Water Standards
	What are Surface Water Standards and how are they used?
The Complete NC "REDBOOK" (PDF) [1 May 2007]
	Surface Waters and Wetlands Standards
NC Redbook Standards Table (PDF) [1 May 2007]
	Pollutant Standards, Criteria and Toxic Concentrations assigned to salt and fresh water
NC and EPA Criteria Table (PDF) [30 Apr 2009]
	Pollutant Standards, Criteria and Toxic Concentration assigned to salt and fresh water
NC's Nutrient Criteria Implementation Plan
	Plan laying out the best techniques to control excessive nutrients
Surface Water Triennial Reviews
	Triennial review of standards and classifications
GROUND WATER STANDARDS INFORMATION
About NC Ground Water Standards
	What are Ground Water Standards and how are they used?
Frequently Requested Documents
	- 15A NCAC 02L Groundwater Rules - Groundwater Standards Table - Interim Maximum Allowable Concentrations (IMACs)
Ground Water Triennial Reviews
	Triennial review of ground water quality standards and interim maximum allowable concentrations
DOWNLOADABLE MAPS
Maps Created by CSU
	Hydrography, Water Supply Watersheds, River Basins, ORW, Trout Waters, Class B Waters, Permits, Monitoring, etc.
DWQ GIS Data Downloads
	Hydrology-based shapefiles for use with GIS software

DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY LINKS
DWQ Rules Webpage - Admin. Codes and Statutes
	Environmental Management, Classifications by Basin, Permitting, etc.
Division's Calendar for Public Hearings and Meetings
	Dates, Locations, Public Notices
Environmental Management Commission (EMC)
	Adopts rules for protection, preservation and enhancement of State's air and water resources
Hearing Officer Reports
	Report archive
Goose Creek Watershed Rules
	Rule Documents, Reports, Maps, etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LINKS
Water Quality Standards Program
	Aquatic Life, Human Health, Nutriets, etc.
ECOTOX Database
	Chemical toxicity information for aquatic and terrestrial life
IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) Database
	Compiles reports on substances that cause human health effects
Major Environmental Laws
	Laws that influence environmental protection and influence EPA's regulatory process
Clean Water Act
	History, introduction, updates, etc.
CFR Title 40: Protection of Environment
	Code of the Federal Regulations that deals with protecting the environment and human health
STAFF CONTACTS
Classification and Standards Unit
DWQrules LISTSERV
To receive emails concerning rule-making announcements, enter your email address in the following box and click on the "Subscribe" button. DWQrules Listserv Public Archive

For comments or suggestions about this page, contact Matthew Faerber.

Last Updated on December 9, 2009