WHAT IS A WATER QUALITY STANDARDS (WQS) VARIANCE?

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WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

VARIANCES

A Clear Path to Improve Water Quality

A WQS variance is a path to improve water quality
over time. These time-limited WQS strike a balance
between providing states/authorized tribes and
dischargers the time and flexibility to make water
quality improvements, with accountability measures
to assure the public that progress wilt occur.

WHEN CAN A WQS VARIANCE HELP TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY?

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/authorized
tribes don't want to give up on working toward water quality improvement.

	 WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS OVER TIME 	

Partial water quality
improvement at end
of a WQS variance

Current water quality

Water quality
goals achieved

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HOW DOES A WQS VARIANCE WORK?

A WQS variance cannot make water quality worse.
WQS variances focus on what can be done to
improve water quality, not what can't be done.

THE WQS VARIANCE PROCESS

EPA review of
variance as a WQS

STEP 4

STEP 3

STEP 1

State/authorized tribe and
dischargers determine the
key elements of the variance

State/authorized tribe seeks
public input on WQS variance,
including public hearing

State/authorized tribe revises,
adopts and submits WQS
variance to EPA for review

A WQS variance longer than 5 years
is reevaluated at defined time periods,
with public input

State/authorized
tribe works with EPA
early and often.

Once approved, WQS variance
is implemented

	 TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED	

DETERMINING THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE WQS VARIANCE
State/authorized tribe and dischargers determine the scope of the WQS variance.



Investigate what pollutant
control technologies and
activities are available
and affordable.

Determine how much water
quality may improve based
on the implementation
of these technologies
and activities.

Define how long it
would take to implement
those technologies and
activities to make water
quality improvements.

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HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

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Talk to your government
officials about achieving
water quality improvements
while balancing competing
community resources.



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Participate in a WQS
public hearing and/or
public comment period.

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Provide input during

WQS variance
reevaluation periods.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WQS VARIANCE
TERM IS COMPLETE?

It is time to determine if further water quality improvements can be made.

Can the water
quality standards
now be met?

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For more information visit:

epa.gov/wqs-tech/water-quality-standards-variances

4%	United States

Environmental Protection
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