Water Quality Standards and Assessment

Surface water management seeks to protect the quality of all waters of the state, including rivers, streams, bayous, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, estuaries, and many other types of surface water. For more information on surface water quality data, standards, and assessment please email the Water Planning and Assessment Division.

Current Events

In preparation of the 2024 Integrated Report assessment, the LDEQ solicited third party data regarding those water body subsegments assessed by LDEQ with a public notice published on May 11, 2023. The deadline for receipt of data is Thursday, June 15, 2023.

2022 Louisiana Water Quality Integrated Report -  All 2022 IR documents have been updated based on corrections made after full approval by EPA of the 2022 IR on May 3, 2022. All corrections were public noticed between July 8, 2022 and August 11, 2022, with no comments received from the public or EPA. Therefore, all 2022 IR assessment are considered final and approved for all uses. 

• 2022 Water Quality Integrated Report
• View LDEQ's Water Quality Subsegments

For more information on the 2022 Louisiana Water Quality Integrated Report please contact Ms. Rachael Mathews at (225) 219-3188 or by email at Rachael.Mathews@LA.GOV. 

Water Quality Trading

Triennial Review - Surface Water Quality Standards for Louisiana

A Long-Term Vision for Assessment, Restoration, and Protection under the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program

All Other Activities, Web Maps and Reports

• Water Quality Regulations and Standards - Louisiana's water quality regulations and standards form the basis for all water related activities in the state, including assessments, Total Maximum Daily Loads, permitting, and enforcement activities. 
• Water Quality Assessments - Louisiana Water Quality Inventory: Integrated Report (305(b)/303(d)) - Surface water assessments to determine needs for protection and improvement of water quality. 
• Water Quality Surveillance - LDEQ's Surveillance Division conducts ambient surface water monitoring.
• Water Data Portal - Surface water quality data collected by LDEQ for various projects at locations throughout the state.
• Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Ambient Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network (QAPP_1004_R09)
• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program
• LDEQ Interactive Mapping Application (LIMA) - This application allows users to access a wide variety of geographic information system (GIS) layers, including water body subsegments (assessment units) and ambient monitoring sites found in the Water Data Portal. 
• Water Quality Management Plan/Continuing Planning Process
• Nutrient Reduction and Management Strategy - Learn more about what Louisiana is doing to manage nutrients in state surface waters.
• Louisiana's Fishing and Swimming Advisories - Fish consumption and swimming advisories are issued jointly by the Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and LDEQ.
• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
• DEQ Mercury Initiative - LDEQ's program to reduce and where possible eliminate mercury releases to the environment.