Water Quality Standards

MAP's Assessment and Listing Process is driven by Vermont's State Water Quality Standards. In 2017, DEC completed a review and update of the Vermont Water Quality Standards. A triennial review of state water quality standards is required by the federal Clean Water Act. See Triennial Review below for more information.

• 2017 Vermont Water Quality Standards (current)

• 2014 Vermont Water Quality Standards (archive)

Additonal information on water quality regulations and rules may be found at the Division's Laws, Regulations and Rule page.

2022 Triennial Review

Rulemaking Timeline

• Interagency Committee on Adminstrative Rules (ICAR) - May 9, 2022 Agenda

Proposed Water Quality Standards Rule and Supporting Documents

• Proposed Vermont Water Quality Standards Rule

• Vermont Wetland Rules

• EPA 2013 Aquatic Life Ambient Criteria for Ammonia 

• EPA 2021 Revision to the 2016 Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criterion for Selenium

• EPA 2018 Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Aluminum

• Vermont Implementation Procedure for Aluminum

• Vermont Implementation Procedure for Use of the BLM for Copper

Pre-Rulemaking Stakeholder Outreach 

• Summary of DEC's Proposed Changes to VWQS - April 2021

• VWQS Draft with Markup - April 2021

• Revised VWQS Draft with Markup - August 2021

Stakeholder Comments Recieved

• Environmental Protection Agency

• Great River Hydro

• Lake Champlain Committee, Conservation Law Foundation, and Vermont Natural Resources Council

• Vermont Public Power Supply Authority

• VHB on behalf of Green Mountain Power and Vermont Ski Areas Association