National Water Program Metric Definitions


NATIONAL WATER
PROGRAM METRIC

DEFINITIONS

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Table of Contents

Metric Definitions	1

Community water systems out of compliance with health-based standards	2

Community water systems out of compliance with health-based standards in Indian country	4

Systems out of compliance due to Lead and Copper Rule violations	6

Strengthen the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of drinking water systems	8

Drinking water sanitary surveys	9

Reviews of state DWSRF	11

State Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) rule primacy applications in backlog	12

EPA PERMIT BACKLOG - NEW UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL (UIC)	13

EPA PERMIT BACKLOG - EXISTING UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL (UIC)	14

Number (billions) of non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA water infrastructure finance programs - CWSRF,

DWSRF andWIFIA	15

Reviews of state CWSRF	16

EPA PERMIT BACKLOG - EXISTING NON-TRIBAL NPDES	17

EPA PERMIT BACKLOG - EXISTING TRIBAL NPDES	19

EPA permit backlog - New Non-Tribal NPDES	21

EPA PERMIT BACKLOG - NEW TRIBAL NPDES	23

Average process time for requests for coverage under NPDES general permits	25

Watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards	27

Watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards because of nutrients that now meet standards	29

Electronic submission of state Integrated Reports	31

Outstanding state submission of 303(d) lists	32

Progress in putting priorityTMDLs, alternative restoration plans, and protection approaches in place	33

Backlog of EPA action on TMDLs	35

Backlog of EPA action on priority TMDLs	36

Backlog of EPA action on 303(d) Lists	37

Number of primarily nonpoint source-impaired waterbodies partially or fully restored by NPS program

ACTIONS	38

Report on the Quality of the nation's waters - number of samples processed	39

Water Quality Standards actions in backlog	40

Number of states completing triennial reviews on time	41

Number of states andterritories with a methodology for notifying the public when a harmful algal bloom is
PRESENT	42

Table of Contents

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Metric Definitions

The National Water Program evaluates the progress it is making in developing and implementing effective
programs to monitor, protect, and improve the waters of the United States. As part of this effort, 29 metrics
have been developed. This document provides definitions for these metrics including a description of the
metric, the associated metric category (long term performance goal, annual performance goal, and/or
national water program guidance), EPA reporting office, associated EPA program, tribal status, and technical
contact(s) for more information.1 The document also includes detailed information on the following
categories:

• Related metrics. Lists the metrics that are topically related.

• Units. Standard metric unit.

• Goal. Overall long-term goal for the metric.

• Baseline. First year of metric data collection, includes the fiscal year baseline year and value.

• Universe. The overall "N" for the metric, for example the total number of community water
systems in the nation.

• Direction of positive change. Indicates if positive change is occurring when the metric is increasing
or decreasing.

• Terms and phrases. Key terms and phrases used in describing the metric.

• Calculation of metric. Indicates if the metric is calculated annually, or cumulatively across years.

• Methodology. Full description of the methods used for calculating the metric.

• Data Source. Data system name or approach for sourcing the data.

• Update frequency. Frequency in which data are updated in the system.

• Obtaining data. Indicates what coordination needs to occur to obtain the data.

• Data limitations and quality. Notable data limitations or information pertinent to the data quality
of the metric.

i "n/a" indicates data that are not available.

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Community water systems out of compliance with health-based
standards

Community water system non-compliance with health-based metrics is important to reflect the protection
of the Nation's public health associated with the delivery of safe drinking water (meeting the National
Primary Drinking Water Regulations) by the 47,000 community water systems.

METRIC CATEGORY: Long Term Performance Goal, Anuual Performance Goal, National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

Drinking Water Not tribal Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;

Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

None

UNITS

Community water systems

GOAL

By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of community water systems out of
compliance with health-based standards to 2,700 (decrease of 900).

BASELINE

FY 2018: 3,600

UNIVERSE

Total number of community water systems, approximately 50,000 (fluctuates
annually).

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

•	Community water system (CWS). A public water system that supplies water to the
same population year-round.

•	Health-based standard. The Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) or treatment
technique (TT) permissible of an enforceable contaminant in water delivered to
users of a public water system.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

The EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water calculates this metric using data
reported in the Safe Drinking Water System (SDWIS) Federal (Fed) Data Warehouse-
FED and provides the results to EPA regions. This metric includes federally regulated
contaminants of the following violation types: Maximum Contaminant Level,
Maximum Residual Disinfection Limit, and Treatment Technique violations. It includes
any violations from currently open and closed CWSs that overlap any part of the most
recent four quarters.

DATA SOURCE

SDWIS Fed Data Warehouse. The SDWIS Fed Data Warehouse contains compliance
information about public water systems and their violations of the National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) as reported to EPA by the primacy agencies.

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Quarterly

2

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

OBTAINING DATA Data are provided by agencies with primacy (primary enforcement authority) for the
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) program. These agencies are either: states,
EPA for non-delegated states or territories, and the Navajo Nation Indian Tribe, the
only tribe with primacy.

DATA LIMITATIONS Reference to Quality Assurance Project Plan: The SDWIS/Fed equivalent of a quality
AND QUALITY assurance project plan is the Drinking Water Data Quality Improvement Plan. This

plan includes implementation of the Data Quality Matrix which, on a quarterly basis,
assigns numerical data quality scores to each primacy agency. Additionally, the SDWIS
Fed Rep 3.5 Requirements document ensures that specific types of data quality are
adhered to. For example, the SDWIS/FedRep Validation Tool ensures each document
conforms to the business rules established for federally reportable drinking water
data. Individual business objects that conform to the established business rules are
accepted. Those business objects that do not conform are rejected. For each
documented validation that the business object fails to conform, a status message is
created containing sufficient information for the user to locate and correct the data in
the primacy agency's database. States report data to EPA from their state databases
after making a determination of violation. In some cases, an individual state's
submission can be incomplete due to technical issues in the data transfer or because
the state's violation determination was not loaded into their data system.

MORE https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-05/documents/dqr-l-2-
INFORMATION community-water-systems.pdf

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Community water systems out of compliance with health-based
standards in Indian country

Community water system non-compliance with health-based metrics is important to reflect the protection
of the Nation's public health associated with the delivery of safe drinking water (meeting the National
Primary Drinking Water Regulations) by the 736 tribal community water systems.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

Drinking Water Tribal specific Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;

Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Community water systems out of compliance with health-based standards

UNITS

Community water systems

GOAL

By September 30, 2020, reduce the number of tribal community water systems out of
compliance with health-based standards to 95.

BASELINE

FY 2018:109

UNIVERSE

Total number of Tribal community water systems approximately 736.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

•	Community water system (CWS). A public water system that supplies water to the
same population year-round.

•	Health-based standard. The Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) or treatment
technique (TT) permissible of an enforceable contaminant in water delivered to
users of a public water system.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

The EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water calculates this metric using data
reported in the Safe Drinking Water System (SDWIS) Federal (Fed) Data Warehouse-
FED and provides the results to EPA regions. This metric includes federally regulated
contaminants of the following violation types: Maximum Contaminant Level,
Maximum Residual Disinfection Limit, and Treatment Technique violations. It includes
any violations from currently open and closed CWSs that overlap any part of the most
recent four quarters.

DATA SOURCE

SDWIS Fed Data Warehouse. The SDWIS Fed Data Warehouse contains compliance
information about public water systems and their violations of the National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) as reported to EPA by the primacy agencies.

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Quarterly

4

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

DATA LIMITATIONS Reference to Quality Assurance Project Plan: The SDWIS/Fed equivalent of a quality
AND QUALITY assurance project plan is the Drinking Water Data Quality Improvement Plan. This

MORE https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-05/documents/dqr-l-2-
INFORMATION community-water-systems.pdf

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Systems out of compliance due to Lead and Copper Rule violations

Under the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), public water systems collect samples from locations with lead
service lines and/or leaded plumbing materials. The LCR established action levels of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)
for lead, based on the 90th percentile sample level. If the lead action level is exceeded in more than ten
percent of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period (i.e., if the 90th percentile level is
greater than the action level), a water system must take certain actions. The type of action that is
triggered depends upon the size of the system and the actions it has taken previously. The type of actions
that public water systems must take include installing corrosion control treatment, public education, and
lead service line replacement. The violation occurs when appropriate action is not taken.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

Drinking Water Not tribal Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;

Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Strengthen the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of drinking water
systems

UNITS

Percent of public water systems

GOAL

50% decrease by 2022 and 100% decrease by 2028.

BASELINE

FY 2018:298

UNIVERSE

Total number of community water systems, approximately 50,000 (fluctuates
annually).

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

N/A

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

The count of systems that have a violation of the Lead and Copper Rule.

DATA SOURCE

Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Federal (Fed) Data Warehouse. The
SDWIS Fed Data Warehouse contains compliance information about public water
systems and their violations of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
(NPDWRs) as reported to EPA by the primacy agencies.

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Quarterly

OBTAINING DATA Data are provided by agencies with primacy (primary enforcement authority) for the
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) program. These agencies are either: states,
EPA for non-delegated states or territories, and the Navajo Nation Indian Tribe, the
only tribe with primacy.

6

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

DATA LIMITATIONS Reference to Quality Assurance Project Plan: The SDWIS/Fed equivalent of a quality
AND QUALITY assurance project plan is the Drinking Water Data Quality Improvement Plan. This

plan includes implementation of the Data Quality Matrix which, on a quarterly basis,
assigns numerical data quality scores to each primacy agency. Additionally, the SDWIS
Fed Rep 3.5 Requirements document ensures that specific types of data quality are
adhered to. For example, the SDWIS/FedRep Validation Tool ensures each document
conforms to the business rules established for federally reportable drinking water
data. Individual business objects that conform to the established business rules are
accepted. Those business objects that do not conform are rejected. For each
documented validation that the business object fails to conform, a status message is
created containing sufficient information for the user to locate and correct the data in
the primacy agency's database. States report data to EPA from their state databases
after making a determination of violation. In some cases, an individual state's
submission can be incomplete due to technical issues in the data transfer or because
the state's violation determination was not loaded into their data system.

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule-implementation-tools

7

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Strengthen the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of drinking
water systems

This metric aims to strengthen public water system long-term sustainability and public health protection.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

Drinking Water Not tribal Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;

Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Systems out of compliance due to Lead and Copper Rule violations

UNITS

Events

GOAL

N/A

BASELINE

FY 2018:386

UNIVERSE

Changes annually

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase

TERMS AND
PHRASES

N/A

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

METHODOLOGY The count of engagements with states and water utilities (number of events)
including Capacity Development Activities, Region/State Meetings, Area-wide
Optimization Field Events, Water System Partnership Activities, Lead & Copper Rule -
Action Level Exceedance training events, technical rule compliance assistance events,
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) training and technical
assistance, asset management training, and financial and managerial training. For
yearly calculation, sum of months reported.

DATA SOURCE Regions and Headquarters Monthly inventory of activities.

UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA Collected by Headquarters in coordination with regions.

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/technical-managerial-and-financial-tmf-capacity-
INFORMATION resources-small-drinking-water-systems

8

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Drinking water sanitary surveys

A sanitary survey is a review of a public water system (PWS) to assess the capability to supply safe drinking
water. Primacy agencies are responsible for completing a sanitary survey of public water systems every 3
years (5 years for outstanding performers).

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS

TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

EPA Reporting Office.

EPA Program. Not tribal; Includes
tribal data.

Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;
Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

None



UNITS

Drinking water sanitary surveys



GOAL

N/A



BASELINE

FY 2018: 91.7%



UNIVERSE

N/A



DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase



TERMS AND
PHRASES

N/A



CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual



METHODOLOGY Percent of Community Water Systems that have undergone a sanitary survey within
the past 3 years (five years for outstanding performers or those ground water
systems approved by the primacy agency to provide 4-log treatment of viruses). The
percent calculation is determined on an annual calendar. The 1/3 required number
of annual surveys re-sets each January. By December the percent of surveys
completed should be in the 90s increasing annually towards the 2022 goal of 98%.
Presumes approximately 1/3 of 3-year total of sanitary surveys are conducted each
year. Total percentage re-sets to ~60% each January.

DATA SOURCE Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Federal (Fed) Data Warehouse. The
SDWIS Fed Data Warehouse contains compliance information about public water
systems and their violations of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
(NPDWRs) as reported to EPA by the primacy agencies.

UPDATE FREQUENCY Quarterly

OBTAINING DATA Data are provided by agencies with primacy (primary enforcement authority) for the
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) program. These agencies are either: states,
EPA for non-delegated states or territories, and the Navajo Nation Indian Tribe, the
only tribe with primacy.

9

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

DATA LIMITATIONS Reference to Quality Assurance Project Plan: The SDWIS/Fed equivalent of a quality
AND QUALITY assurance project plan is the Drinking Water Data Quality Improvement Plan. This

plan includes implementation of the Data Quality Matrix which, on a quarterly basis,
assigns numerical data quality scores to each primacy agency. Additionally, the
SDWIS Fed Rep 3.5 Requirements document ensures that specific types of data
quality are adhered to. For example, the SDWIS/FedRep Validation Tool ensures each
document conforms to the business rules established for federally reportable
drinking water data. Individual business objects that conform to the established
business rules are accepted. Those business objects that do not conform are
rejected. For each documented validation that the business object fails to conform, a
status message is created containing sufficient information for the user to locate and
correct the data in the primacy agency's database. States report data to EPA from
their state databases after making a determination of violation. In some cases, an
individual state's submission can be incomplete due to technical issues in the data
transfer or because the state's violation determination was not loaded into their data
system.

INFORMATION httPs://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/sanitary-surveys

10

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Reviews of state DWSRF

This metric counts the number of annual state DWSRF reviews conducted by the EPA Regions. Reviews
typically occur from October-June (for the previous state fiscal year).

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

Drinking Water Not tribal Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;

Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Reviews of state DWSRF

UNITS

DWSRF Reviews

GOAL

The EPA Regions conduct 51 annual reviews every year. The metric aims to ensure
the number of annual reviews remains consistent.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 51

UNIVERSE

50 states + Puerto Rico

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• State Review. Annual review of the state DWSRF.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

Count of Reviews from Oct. 1 to June or July 1.

DATA SOURCE

Regional & Headquarters reporting.

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

Collect from annual review calendar.

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf/program-policy-and-guidance-drinking-water-
INFORMATION state-revolving-fund-program

11

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

State Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) rule primacy applications
in backlog

Primacy agencies are required to submit a rule primacy package to EPA to seek approval to implement a
new or revised NPDWR.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

Drinking Water Not tribal Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;

Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

None

UNITS

Primacy applications

GOAL

Reduce the State Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) rule primacy applications
in backlog to 12 by September 30, 2020.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 41

UNIVERSE

51 (49 states + Puerto Rico + Navajo Nation).

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

N/A

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

Number of state drinking water rule primacy packages processed that had been
awaiting approval. Backlog primacy packages are defined as those awaiting agency
approval for the last five recently promulgated regulations- RTCR, GWR, Stage 2, LT2
and short-term revisions to LCR.

DATA SOURCE

Regional & Headquarters reporting.

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

Information is collected from the regions via the national primacy package tracking
system.

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

N/A

MORE
INFORMATION

https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/primacy-enforcement-responsibility-public-water-
systems

12

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

EPA permit backlog - New Underground Injection Control (UIC)

More applications for new permits are received than EPA Regions have the capacity to reissue. Factors
beyond EPA's control often delay permit issuance (e.g., facility requests pause, consultations, required
processes such as NEPA, significant public interest).

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

UIC Not tribal Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;

Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

EPA permit backlog - Existing UIC

UNITS

UIC permit applications

GOAL

By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 36

UNIVERSE

All EPA-issued permits that are backlogged and those that have the
potential to become backlogged before the end of FY 2022.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease.

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• New. Applications for permits for facilities that do not already have EPA-issued UIC
permit coverage.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY Sum of the applications for new EPA UIC permits (all Classes) that have been pending

for over 6 months. This metric only includes those wells that do not already have an
EPA UIC permit (for the new well class). This metric includes those applications
received more than 180 calendar days from the last day of the previous month for
those wells that do not already have an EPA UIC permit (for the new well class). The
clock starts with the initial submittal of an application, not submittal of a full and
complete application, and ends with final agency decision (issuance or denial). Does
not include those permits that have been issued.

DATA SOURCE Agency-wide permit tracker.

UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA Regional reporting to ePermit Tracker which is aggregated in Bowling Chart.

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE ,

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/uic

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

EPA permit backlog - Existing Underground Injection Control (UIC)

More permits are expiring than EPA Regions have the capacity to reissue. Factors beyond EPA's control
often delay permit issuance (e.g., facility requests pause, consultations, required processes such as NEPA,
significant public interest).

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS

TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OGWDW

UIC Not tribal

Eric Bissonette, bissonett.eric@epa.gov;
Travis Cummings, cummings.travis@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

EPA permit backlog - New UIC

UNITS

UIC permits

GOAL

By September 30, 2022, reach all

permitting-related decisions within six months.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 36

UNIVERSE

All existing EPA-issued permits that have passed their expiration date.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• Existing. Permits that have previously been issued and need reissuance.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY Sum of the number of existing EPA UIC permits (all Classes) that have passed their

expiration date and are awaiting renewal or reissuance. This metric includes permits
that have passed their expiration date. Permits are removed from the backlog as
soon as the agency takes final action on the permit (issuance or denial).

DATA SOURCE Agency-wide permit tracker
UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA Regional reporting to ePermit Tracker which is aggregated in Bowling Chart.

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE ,

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/uic

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Number (billions) of non-federal dollars leveraged by EPA water
infrastructure finance programs - CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA

METRIC CATEGORY: Long-term Performance Goal; FY 2018-2019 Agency Priority Goal; Annual
Performance Goal; National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWM; OGWDW

Infrastructure Not tribal Lynn Stabenfeldt, stabenfeldt.lynn@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

None

UNITS

Billions of non-federal dollars

GOAL

By September 30, 2022, increase by $40 billion the non-federal dollars leveraged by
the EPA water infrastructure finance programs.

BASELINE

FY 2018: $0

UNIVERSE

All water infrastructure projects funded by the SRFs and WIFIA.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• Non-Federal Dollars. Funding from other than federal dollars used for an
infrastructure project. In addition to direct state, local, and private capital
investments, non-federal dollars generally include recycled loan repayments, bond
proceeds, state match and interest earnings.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Cumulative across years

METHODOLOGY

This metric will be calculated as the dollar amount of non-federal funds invested in
CWSRF, DWSRF and WIFIA water infrastructure projects.

DATA SOURCE

SRFs: CWSRF Benefits Reporting System and DWSRF Project Reporting System.
WIFIA: Headquarters WIFIA loan agreements.

UPDATE FREQUENCY

SRFs: Quarterly;
WIFIA: Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

States and regions report data to the system on an annual basis.

DATA LIMITATIONS • Reference to Quality Assurance Project Plan: General QAPP for the CW and OW
AND QUALITY NIMS databases.

• The current SRF ICRs allow the EPA to collect the data annually from the states.

• WIFIA data will be available after loans are executed.

https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/leading-edge-financing-water-
MORE infrastructure

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-05/documents/dqr-l-2-
infrastructure-leveraging-dollars.pdf

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Reviews of state CWSRF

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWM

Infrastructure Not tribal Lynn Stabenfeldt, stabenfeldt.lynn@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Reviews of state DWSRF

UNITS

CWSRF reviews

GOAL

N/A

BASELINE

FY 2018: 0

UNIVERSE

50 states + Puerto Rico

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase

TERMS AND
PHRASES

N/A

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

Count of Reviews - during state reviews, EPA Headquarters and the Regions promote
national priorities with the state-run programs, including increasing the non-federal
dollars leveraged by the EPA federal investment in water infrastructure programs.

DATA SOURCE

Regional & Headquarters reporting

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

N/A

MORE
INFORMATION

https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/leading-edge-financing-water-
infrastructure

16

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

EPA permit backlog - Existing Non-Tribal NPDES

Historically, the EPA has had a backlog of administratively continued National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) individual permits caused by a number of factors, including multiple priorities,
resource constraints, and unresolved technical or legal issues specific to each permit. This issue has been
compounded by data sufficiency that impacts effective tracking of the permit backlog. In some EPA
Regions, especially those with direct implementation responsibilities, some permits are expiring faster
than EPA Regions are reissuing them. In addition, external factors (e.g., facility requests pause,
consultations, significant public interest) often delay permit issuance. Recent program authorizations and
adoption of LEAN management approaches are improving the long-term outlook for the processing of the
backlog. The EPA is committed to speeding up the processing of EPA-issued permits to create certainty for
the business community and ensure that permits improve environmental protection by reflecting the
most recent environmental and scientific information.

METRIC CATEGORY: Annual Performance Goal; National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWM NPDES Not tribal Katherine Stebe, stebe.katherine@epa.gov

Jackie Clark, clark.jackie@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS EPA permit backlog - Existing Tribal NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New Non-Tribal
NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New Tribal NPDES; Average process time for requests
for coverage under NPDES general permits.

UNITS NPDES permits

GOAL By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months.
BASELINE FY 2019: 380

UNIVERSE All existing EPA-issued non-tribal individual permits that are backlogged and those
that have the potential to become backlogged before the end of FY 2022;
approximately 566 as of June 2019.

DIRECTION OF Decrease
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

PHRASES • Existing. Permits that have previously been issued and need reissuance.

• Non-Tribal. Not within Indian Country as defined at 18 U.S.C. § 1151.

• Administratively Continued. NPDES permits can be administratively continued if
the facility reapplies more than 180 days before the permit expires, and the EPA
does not reissue the permit before its expiration date through no fault of the
permittee.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

METHODOLOGY

Sum of the number of existing EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Non-Tribal individual permits that have passed their expiration date and are
awaiting renewal or reissuance. This metric includes individual permits that have
passed their expiration date as of the last day of the previous month. Permits are
removed from the backlog as soon as the agency takes final action on the permit
(issuance or denial).

DATA SOURCE ICIS-NPDES

UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

Data are pulled from ICIS-NPDES by EPA Headquarters and sent to EPA Regional
offices for review and quality assurance.

Basic permit data are for the most part complete and accurate in ICIS-NPDES.
However, for various reasons, some data needed for this metric may not be entered
or up to date. To ensure the results reported are as accurate as possible, The EPA
Regions review data and make any necessary corrections. Where possible, edits
should also be made to the ICIS-NPDES database.

MORE

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-permit-status-reports

18

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

EPA permit backlog - Existing Tribal NPDES

METRIC CATEGORY: Annual Performance Goal; National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWM NPDES Tribal specific Katherine Stebe, stebe.katherine@epa.gov

Jackie Clark, clark.jackie@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS EPA permit backlog - Existing Non-Tribal NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New Non-
Tribal NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New Tribal NPDES; Average process time for
requests for coverage under NPDES general permits.

UNITS NPDES permits

GOAL By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months.
BASELINE FY 2019: 76

UNIVERSE All existing EPA-issued tribal individual permits that are backlogged and those that
have the potential to become backlogged before the end of FY 2022; approximately
239 as of June 2019.

DIRECTION OF Decrease
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

PHRASES • Existing. Permits that have previously been issued and need reissuance.

• Tribal. Within Indian Country as defined at 18 U.S.C. § 1151.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

METHODOLOGY

Sum of the number of existing EPA NPDES Tribal individual permits that have passed
their expiration date and are awaiting renewal or reissuance. This metric includes
individual permits that have passed their expiration date as of the last day of the
previous month. Permits are removed from the backlog as soon as the agency takes
final action on the permit (issuance or denial).

DATA SOURCE ICIS-NPDES

UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

Data are pulled from ICIS-NPDES by EPA Headquarters and sent to EPA Regional
offices for review and quality assurance.

Basic permit data are for the most part complete and accurate in ICIS-NPDES.
However, for various reasons, some data needed for this metric may not be entered
or up to date. To ensure the results reported are as accurate as possible, The EPA
Regions review data and make any necessary corrections. Where possible, edits
should also be made to the ICIS-NPDES database.

MORE

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-permit-status-reports

20

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

EPA permit backlog - New Non-Tribal NPDES

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWM NPDES Not tribal Katherine Stebe, stebe.katherine@epa.gov

Jackie Clark, clark.jackie@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS EPA permit backlog - Existing Non-Tribal NPDES; EPA permit backlog - Existing Tribal
NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New Tribal NPDES; Average process time for requests
for coverage under NPDES general permits.

UNITS NPDES permits

GOAL By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months.
BASELINE FY 2019: 52

UNIVERSE All pending applications for EPA-issued Non-Tribal Individual permits; approximately
31 as of the end of June 2019.

DIRECTION OF Decrease
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

PHRASES • New. Applications for permits for facilities that do not already have EPA-issued
NPDES permit coverage.

• Non-Tribal. Not within Indian Country as defined at 18 U.S.C. § 1151.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

METHODOLOGY Sum of the applications for new EPA Non-Tribal NPDES individual permits that have
been pending for over 6 months. This metric is only for those facilities that do not
already have coverage for their discharge. This metric includes those applications
received more than 180 calendar days from the last day of the previous month. The
clock starts with the initial submittal of an application, not submittal of a full and
complete application, and ends with the date of agency decision (issuance or denial).

DATA SOURCE ICIS-NPDES
UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA Data are pulled from ICIS-NPDES by EPA Headquarters and sent to EPA Regional
offices for review and quality assurance.

DATA LIMITATIONS Basic permit data are for the most part complete and accurate in ICIS-NPDES.

AND QUALITY However, for various reasons, some data needed for this metric may not be entered
or up to date. To ensure the results reported are as accurate as possible, The EPA
Regions review data and make any necessary corrections. Where possible, edits
should also be made to the ICIS-NPDES database.

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-permit-status-reports

22

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

EPA permit backlog - New Tribal NPDES

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWM NPDES Tribal specific Katherine Stebe, stebe.katherine@epa.gov

Jackie Clark, clark.jackie@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS EPA permit backlog - Existing Non-Tribal NPDES; EPA permit backlog - Existing Tribal
NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New Non-Tribal NPDES; Average process time for
requests for coverage under NPDES general permits.

UNITS NPDES permits

GOAL By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months.
BASELINE FY 2019: 11

UNIVERSE All pending applications for EPA-issued Tribal Individual permits; approximately 12 as
of the end of June 2019.

DIRECTION OF Decrease
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

PHRASES • New. Applications for permits for facilities that do not already have EPA-issued
NPDES permit coverage.

• Tribal. Within Indian Country as defined at 18 U.S.C. § 1151.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

METHODOLOGY Sum of the applications for new EPA Tribal NPDES individual permits that have been
pending for over 6 months. This metric is only for those facilities that do not already
have coverage for their discharge. This metric includes those applications received
more than 180 calendar days from the last day of the previous month. The clock
starts with the initial submittal of an application, not submittal of a full and complete
application, and ends with the date of agency decision (issuance or denial).

DATA SOURCE ICIS-NPDES
UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA Data are pulled from ICIS-NPDES by EPA Headquarters and sent to EPA Regional
offices for review and quality assurance.

DATA LIMITATIONS Basic permit data are for the most part complete and accurate in ICIS-NPDES.

AND QUALITY However, for various reasons, some data needed for this metric may not be entered
or up to date. To ensure the results reported are as accurate as possible, the EPA
Regions review data and make any necessary corrections. Where possible, edits
should also be made to the ICIS-NPDES database.

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-permit-status-reports

24

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Average process time for requests for coverage under NPDES general
permits

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits are written to cover multiple
dischargers with similar operations and types of discharges. Dischargers may obtain coverage under a
general permit after it is issued, consistent with the permit eligibility and authorization provisions.
Obtaining coverage under a general permit is typically quicker than an individual permit with coverage
under a general permit often occurring after a short waiting period. However, in some instances, coverage
may take longer depending on specific circumstances for a facility and the conditions of the permit they
are seeking coverage under.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWM

NPDES Not tribal Katherine Stebe, stebe.katherine@epa.gov

Jackie Clark, clark.jackie@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

EPA permit backlog - Existing Non-Tribal NPDES; EPA permit backlog - Existing Tribal
NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New Non-Tribal NPDES; EPA permit backlog - New
Tribal NPDES.

UNITS

Days

GOAL

By September 30, 2022, reach all permitting-related decisions within six months.

BASELINE

FY 2019:9

UNIVERSE

All NOIs submitted for EPA-issued General Permits within the reporting timeframe.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• NOI. Notice of Intent seeking coverage under a general permit.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

Average number of days from the initial NOI received date to the effective date for
all NOIs under EPA-issued NPDES General Permits that became effective in the
reporting month.

DATA SOURCE

ICIS-NPDES

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

Data are pulled from ICIS-NPDES by EPA Headquarters and sent to EPA Regional
offices for review and quality assurance.

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

DATA LIMITATIONS Basic permit data are for the most part complete and accurate in ICIS-NPDES.

AND QUALITY However, for various reasons, some data needed for this metric may not be entered
or up to date. To ensure the results reported are as accurate as possible, The EPA
Regions review data and make any necessary corrections. Where possible, edits
should also be made to the ICIS-NPDES database.

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-permit-status-reports

26

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards

The purpose of this metric is to track the progress of water quality standards attainment in waters

previously identified as impaired by in the EPA-approved Section 303(d) list as of October 1, 2018.

Progress will be evident by a trend in previously impaired waters now attaining water quality standards.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWOW Water Quality Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS Watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards because of nutrients that
now meet standards

UNITS Square miles

GOAL By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of square miles of watershed with
surface water not meeting standards by 37,000 square miles.

BASELINE FY 2018: 587,536

UNIVERSE The universe is calculated by using the most recent electronic integrated reports
along with their corresponding geospatial representation of their waters. This
information is translated to the National Hydrography Dataset plus (NHDPIus)
catchments, using an automated approach that provides a corresponding watershed
area for each state defined assess unit.

DIRECTION OF Decrease
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • Catchment-based indexing. An automated process that corresponds state

PHRASES geospatial information (e.g., streams, lakes, HUCs, basins) with NHDPIus Version 2
catchments. Catchments (i.e. watershed area) represent the local drainage area
for the individual stream segments of a specific stream network. The process to
correspond the state's geospatial information to catchments varies depending on
the type of input file: linear files (representing rivers and streams), area files
(representing lakes, ponds, or reservoirs), or boundary files (representing
Watershed Boundary Dataset Hydrologic Units). The EPA will be responsible for
the Catchment Indexing Process (CIP) Tool. For more information about NHDPIus
V2 catchments, see https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/nhdplus-national-
hydrography-dataset-plus.

• Water Quality Standards Attainment. 1) the impairments have been effectively
removed by corrective actions (i.e., restoration efforts) and 2) the waterbody now
either fully supports the use or meets the water quality criterion for that particular
pollutant or stressor for which it had been impaired.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

METHODOLOGY

Sum of square miles of watershed area that were not meeting standards but as of

the latest state report are now meeting standards. Watershed area with multiple

causes of impairment will receive partial credit for the impairments removed.

DATA SOURCE

ATTAINS

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA States submit to the EPA their Integrated Report on April 1 of every even numbered
year. The EPA-approved Section 303(d) list includes information on the impairment
status of the states' waters, which is used to report on this metric.

DATA LIMITATIONS The information reported under this performance metric reflects the status of the
AND QUALITY states' waters as reported in the Integrated Report. This metric tracks high-level
reasons for WQS attainment:

• Applicable WQS attained, according to new assessment method.

• Applicable WQS attained, due to change in WQS.

• Applicable WQS attained, due to restoration activities.

• Applicable WQS attained; original basis for listing was incorrect.

• Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified.

• Applicable WQS attained; threatened water no longer threatened.

• Applicable WQS attained; based on new data.

This metric does not measure incremental improvement for individual waters as they
progress towards meeting water quality standards. For example, if a water is
impaired for sediment, and after some restoration activity, the sediment issues are
improving, but not yet meeting Water Quality Standards, this would not be counted
under this metric until the water actually meets standards.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-12/documents/fl_section62-
MORE 302.pdf

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-05/documents/dqr-l-2-water-
quality.pdf

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

Watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards because of
nutrients that now meet standards

The purpose of this metric is to track the progress of water quality standards attainment in waters
previously identified as impaired by nutrients in the EPA-approved Section 303(d) list as of October 1,
2018. Progress will be evident by a positive trend in previously impaired waters attaining water quality
standards.

METRIC CATEGORY: Long-term Performance Goal, Annual Performance Goal, National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

Water Quality Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Watersheds with surface waters not meeting standards

UNITS

Square miles

GOAL

By September 30, 2022, reduce the number of square miles of watershed with
surface water not meeting standards by 37,000 square miles.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 202,096

UNIVERSE

Area corresponding to the nutrient impaired waters (assessment units) identified in
the state's most recent EPA-approved Integrated Report (i.e., Categories 4 and 5).

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• Catchment-based indexing. An automated process that corresponds state
geospatial information (e.g., streams, lakes, HUCs, basins) with NHDPIus Version 2
catchments. Catchments (i.e. watershed area) represent the local drainage area for
the individual stream segments of a specific stream network. The process to
correspond the state's geospatial information to catchments varies depending on
the type of input file: linear files (representing rivers and streams), area files

(representing lakes, ponds, or reservoirs), or boundary files (representing
Watershed Boundary Dataset Hydrologic Units). The EPA will be responsible for
the Catchment Indexing Process (CIP) Tool. For more information about NHDPIus
V2 catchments, see https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/nhdplus-national-
hydrography-dataset-plus.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

METHODOLOGY

Sum of square miles of watershed area that were not meeting standards for nutrient-

related parameters but as of the latest state report are now meeting standards.

Watershed area with multiple causes of nutrient-related impairments will receive

partial credit for the impairments removed.

DATA SOURCE

ATTAINS

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

States submit to the EPA their Integrated Report on April 1 of every even numbered

year. The EPA-approved Section 303(d) list information on the impairment status of

the states' waters, which is used to report on this metric.

• Applicable WQS attained, according to new assessment method.

• Applicable WQS attained, due to change in WQS.

• Applicable WQS attained, due to restoration activities.

• Applicable WQS attained; original basis for listing was incorrect.

• Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified.

• Applicable WQS attained; threatened water no longer threatened.

• Applicable WQS attained; based on new data.

MORE https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-12/documents/fl_section62-
INFORMATION 302.pdf

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Electronic submission of state Integrated Reports

The EPA will use state Integrated Report data in ATTAINS as the data source to automate the calculation of
the clean water strategic plan metric. States are being encouraged to submit their data electronically.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

Impaired Waters Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Outstanding state submission of 303(d) lists

UNITS

Integrated reports (IR)

GOAL

At least one IR submitted electronically by every state and territory.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 34

UNIVERSE

56 states and territories.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase

TERMS AND • Integrated Report (IR). The combined submission of a state's 305(b) assessed
PHRASES waters list and its 303(d) impaired waters list. This report is due on April 1 of even-

numbered years. States are being encouraged to submit their 305(b) and 303(d)
lists as an integrated report electronically through ATTAINS.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

METHODOLOGY Count of electronic Integrated Reports submitted by states into ATTAINS since April
1, 2018. Establishes most current baseline for the watersheds with surface waters
not meeting standards metric.

DATA SOURCE ATTAINS
UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly
OBTAINING DATA N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/integrated-reporting-guidance-under-cwa-sections-303d-
INFORMATION 305b-and-314

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

Outstanding state submission of 303(d) lists

The state Integrated Reports (IRs) are a key source of water quality information. The purpose of this
metric is to track state-submitted 303(d) lists due April 1 of every even year.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

Impaired Waters Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Electronic submission of state Integrated Reports (IRs)

UNITS

303(d) lists

GOAL

Timely submission of 303(d) lists.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 50

UNIVERSE

56 states' and territories' 303(d)/IRs April 1 of every even year (can be above 56
when lists from earlier cycles are late).

DIRECTION OF Decrease
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired water. The term "303(d) list" or
PHRASES "list" is short for a state's list of impaired and threatened waters (e.g. stream/river
segments, lakes). States are required to submit their list for EPA approval every
two years. For each water on the list, the state identifies the pollutant causing the
impairment, when known. In addition, the state assigns a priority for development
of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) taking into account the severity of the
pollution and the sensitivity of the uses to be made of the waters, among other
factors (40 C.F.R. §130.7(b)(4)).

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

METHODOLOGY Count of outstanding state 303(d) lists due to be submitted to the EPA. Lists are due
April 1 of every even year. Begins with all outstanding 303(d) lists due to the EPA.
Ends once all outstanding state 303(d) lists are submitted.

DATA SOURCE ATTAINS
UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly
OBTAINING DATA N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/integrated-reporting-guidance-under-cwa-sections-303d-
INFORMATION 305b-and-314

32

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Progress in putting priority TMDLs, alternative restoration plans, and
protection approaches in place

A key step in restoring and protecting waters is to develop plans that will lead to water quality
improvement. States have prioritized their waters for having these plans developed under the EPA/State
303(d) program vision. The purpose of this metric is to track development of TMDLs, alternative
restoration plans and protection approaches in state-identified priority areas.

METRIC CATEGORY: Annual Performance Goal, National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OWOW TMDL Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS None

UNITS Percent of priority waters

GOAL Develop TMDLs, alternative restoration plans or protection approaches for the State
long-term priorities identified under the 303(d) Program Vision (through 2022).

BASELINE FY 2018: 33.3%

UNIVERSE Total catchment area associated with 303(d) Vision priority waters.

DIRECTION OF Increase
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • Catchment-based indexing. An automated process that corresponds state

PHRASES geospatial information (e.g., streams, lakes, HUCs, basins) with NHDPIus Version 2
catchments. Catchments (i.e. watershed area) represent the local drainage area for
the individual stream segments of a specific stream network. The process to
correspond the state's geospatial information to catchments varies depending on
the type of input file: linear files (representing rivers and streams), area files
(representing lakes, ponds, or reservoirs), or boundary files (representing
Watershed Boundary Dataset Hydrologic Units). The EPA will be responsible for
the Catchment Indexing Process (CIP) Tool. For more information about NHDPIus
V2 catchments, see https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/nhdplus-national-
hydrography-dataset- plus.

• 303(d) Vision priority waters. Under the 303(d) program vision, state-identified
priority waters scheduled for likely TMDL development or alternative approaches
over 2016 - 2022; priority waters awaiting management to protect their current
condition from degradation. For more information see
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-
07/documents/vision_303d_program_dec_2013.pdf.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

METHODOLOGY This metric looks at the extent of priority catchment area activities leading to a

completed TMDL approved by the EPA, or alternative restoration plan or protection
approach agreed to by the EPA. It begins when states identify their priorities, and
ends once a TMDL, alternative restoration approach or protection approach is in
place. It is measured as percent of corresponding catchment area of priority waters
that have a completed TMDL approved by the EPA, or alternative restoration plan or
protection approach agreed to by the EPA. The EPA provides 0.5 credit for priority
plans under development and full credit when a plan is approved/accepted.

• Algorithm, [(priority waters w/ TMDL/Plan in place * 1) + (priority waters w/
TMDL/plan started *0.5) + (Priority waters with no TMDL/Plan started/in
place*0)]/(total priority waters).

DATA SOURCE

ATTAINS

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS

N/A

AND QUALITY



MORE
INFORMATION

https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/overview-total-maximum-daily-loads-tmdls

34

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Backlog of EPA action on TMDLs

A key step in restoring water quality is to develop plans, like TMDLs, that will lead to a water meeting
water quality standards. The purpose of this metric is to track the timeliness of the EPA's action on
incoming TMDL submissions..

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

TMDL Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Backlog of EPA action on priority TMDLs

UNITS

TMDLs

GOAL

The EPA has 30 days to review TMDL submissions.

BASELINE

FY 2018:95

UNIVERSE

Rolling, dependent on the number of incoming TMDL submissions.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). A TMDL is the calculation of the maximum
amount of a pollutant allowed to enter a waterbody so that the waterbody will
meet and continue to meet water quality standards for that particular pollutant. A
TMDL determines a pollutant reduction target and allocates load reductions
necessary to the source(s) of the pollutant.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

Count of the number of TMDLs that have been submitted to EPA where EPA has
taken longer than 30 days to take action. Begins when a state submits a TMDL for
EPA action and EPA has not taken action within 30 days. Ends once EPA has acted on
the TMDL.

DATA SOURCE

ATTAINS

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

N/A

MORE
INFORMATION

https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/overview-total-maximum-daily-loads-tmdls

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

Backlog of EPA action on priority TMDLs

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

TMDL Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

Backlog of EPA action on TMDLs

UNITS

Priority TMDLs

GOAL

The EPA has 30 days to review TMDL submissions.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 79

UNIVERSE

Rolling, dependent on the number of incoming 303(d) Vision priority TMDL
submissions.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• Priority TMDLs. TMDLs developed for waters associated with state-identified
303(d) Vision priorities.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

Count of the number of TMDLs in vision priority waters that have been submitted to
EPA where EPA has taken longer than 30 days to take action. Begins when a state
submits a TMDL in one of their priority waters for EPA approval and EPA has not
taken action within 30 days. Ends once EPA has acted on the TMDL.

DATA SOURCE

ATTAINS

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

N/A

MORE
INFORMATION

https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/overview-total-maximum-daily-loads-tmdls

-------
National Water Program Metric Definitions

Backlog of EPA action on 303(d) Lists

The state Integrated Reports (IRs) are a key source of water quality information. The purpose of this
metric is to track the timeliness of the EPA's action on state-submitted 303(d) lists.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

Impaired Waters Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

None

UNITS

303(d) lists

GOAL

The EPA has 30 days to review 303(d) lists.

BASELINE

FY 2018:18

UNIVERSE

Rolling, dependent on the number of incoming IR/303(d) submissions.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND • Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired water. The term "303(d) list" or
PHRASES "list" is short for a state's list of impaired and threatened waters (e.g. stream/river
segments, lakes). States are required to submit their list for EPA approval every
two years. For each water on the list, the state identifies the pollutant causing the
impairment, when known. In addition, the state assigns a priority for development
of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) taking into account the severity of the
pollution and the sensitivity of the uses to be made of the waters, among other
factors (40 C.F.R. §130.7(b)(4)).

• Integrated Report (IR). The combined submission of a state's 305(b) assessed
waters list and its 303(d) impaired waters list.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

METHODOLOGY Count of the number of 303(d) lists that have been submitted to the EPA and are
awaiting EPA action where the EPA has taken longer than 30 days to take action.
Begins when a state submits a 303(d) list for EPA approval and EPA has not taken
action within 30 days. Ends once the EPA has acted on the list.

DATA SOURCE ATTAINS
UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly
OBTAINING DATA N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/integrated-reporting-guidance-under-cwa-sections-303d-
INFORMATION 305b-and-314

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Number of primarily nonpoint source-impaired waterbodies partially or
fully restored by NPS program actions

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM

TRIBAL STATUS

TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

Water Quality

Not tribal

Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

None





UNITS

Waterbodies





GOAL

N/A





BASELINE

FY 2018:751





UNIVERSE

N/A





DIRECTION OF Increase
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • Impairment. A pollutant or stressor preventing a water from meeting the water
PHRASES quality standard/criteria adopted by states to protect designated uses. A

qualifying de-listing in one where: 1) the waterbody now either fully supports the
use or meets the water quality criterion for which it had been impaired, and 2) the
cause of impairment can be removed from the state's Section 303(d) list.

CALCULATION OF Cumulative across years
METRIC

METHODOLOGY This metric tracks the number of water quality impairments removed from nonpoint
source (NPS)-impaired waterbodies through NPS program restoration work. An
impairment cannot be counted simply through a state 303(d) de-listing actions-
specific management activities must have been taken within the watershed to
demonstrably improve the waterbody. For example, if a water was inappropriately
assessed/listed for pathogens, correction of this error does not satisfy requirements
to be counted in this metric. However, if a waterbody impaired for pathogens is
restored through NPS restoration work eliminating the source and the
waterbody/pollutant is subsequently removed from the 303(d) list, this would qualify
for the metric.

DATA SOURCE GRTS
UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly
OBTAINING DATA N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS N/A
AND QUALITY

MORE ,

INFORMATION https://www.epa.gov/nps

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Report on the Quality of the nation's waters - number of samples
processed

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

owow

Water Quality Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov

RELATED METRICS

None

UNITS

Percent processed samples

GOAL

N/A

BASELINE

FY 2018: 0

UNIVERSE

N/A

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase

TERMS AND
PHRASES

N/A

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

This metric tracks the progress of implementing a national survey that supports
reporting on the quality of the Nation's waters. Progress will be based on the lab
analysis and will track the number of samples analyzed. Percentage based on sum of
the number of sample results delivered to the EPA divided by the total number
collected.

DATA SOURCE

EPA TOCORs

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

N/A

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

N/A

MORE
INFORMATION

https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/national-water-quality-inventory-report-congress

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Water Quality Standards actions in backlog

To ensure that water quality protections under the Clean Water Act programs are continuously aimed at
the right objectives, it is important that the EPA act within timelines established in the Act to approve (or
disapprove and replace) new and revised water quality standards submitted by states and tribes.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OST

Water Quality Includes tribal data Lenny Backster, bankester.lenny@epa.gov
Standards

RELATED METRICS

None

UNITS

Number of backlogged EPA approval and disapproval actions

GOAL

Act upon state and tribal standards submissions within statutory timelines.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 148

UNIVERSE

Number of state and tribal standards submissions varies year to year.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Decrease

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• Revision actions. New and revised state and tribal water quality standards
requiring EPA approval to become effective under the Clean Water Act.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

The number of state and tribal Water Quality Standards (WQS) revision actions that
have been submitted to the EPA since May 2000 that the EPA neither approved nor
disapproved within the first 60 days after submittal to the EPA, and that have yet to
be so acted upon. The Clean Water Act requires the EPA to review state and tribal
WQS revisions and either approve within 60 days or disapprove within 90 days.

DATA SOURCE

Regional files of required state and tribal WQS submissions to EPA; WQS Action
Tracking Application (WATA).

UPDATE FREQUENCY

Monthly

OBTAINING DATA

Regional administrative files.

DATA LIMITATIONS
AND QUALITY

Regional administrative files contain copies of the formal state, tribal, and EPA
documents that document the submission, approval, and disapproval dates used in
this metric.

MORE
INFORMATION

https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Number of states completing triennial reviews on time

Under the Clean Water Act, states bear the primary responsibility to keep water quality standards up to
date, attuned to public expectations and based on the latest scientific information. The Act's requirement
for triennial standards reviews ensures that states carry out this responsibility regularly.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OST Water Quality Not tribal Lenny Backster, bankester.lenny@epa.gov

Standards

RELATED METRICS None

UNITS

Number of states and territories

GOAL

States and territories fulfill their statutory obligation to review water quality

standards and revise them as appropriate not less than once every three years.

BASELINE

FY 2018: 28.56

UNIVERSE

56 states and territories; California has nine water districts conducting triennial

reviews that are each represented in the metric as one-ninth of a state.

DIRECTION OF Increase
POSITIVE CHANGE

TERMS AND • Key element #1. Conducting at least one public hearing to review all Clean Water
PHRASES Act Water Quality Standard applying to state waters.

• Key element #2. Adopting - or providing an explanation for not adopting - revised
water quality criteria for each parameter for which EPA has published updated
recommendations for national water quality criteria.

CALCULATION OF Annual
METRIC

METHODOLOGY This metric tracks the number of states that have completed the two key elements of
a triennial review in the past 36 months.

DATA SOURCE Regional files of required state submissions to EPA.

UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA Regional administrative files.

DATA LIMITATIONS EPA relies on state and territorial documentation of triennial review actions.

AND QUALITY California has 9 regional water boards that conduct triennial reviews independently,
so each water board conducting a triennial review on time counts as 1/9 toward the
metric. Therefore, the ratio of water boards to states and territories in the
calculation does not produce a whole number.

MORE https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/final-rulemaking-update-national-water-quality-
INFORMATION standards-regulation

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

Number of states and territories with a methodology for notifying the
public when a harmful algal bloom is present

This metric aims to quantify new or updated state tools that water managers use to notify the public on
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) occurrences and possible public health risks from exposure to HABs and their
toxins in drinking and recreational waters. State water managers are usually the first responders to control
and manage harmful algal blooms and their toxins in surface water systems. Having a HABs notification
system and tools for the protection of public health helps state water managers provide information on
HABs occurrences and possible public health risks in a timely manner.

METRIC CATEGORY: National Water Program Guidance

REPORTING OFFICE

PROGRAM TRIBAL STATUS TECHNICAL CONTACT(S)

OST

Water Quality Not tribal Istanbul Yusuf, yusuf.istanbul@epa.gov
Standards

RELATED METRICS

None

UNITS

States and territories

GOAL

The goal is for those states, tribes and territories with historical HABs occurrences to
have a HABs Program with bloom notification and public health tools in place.

BASELINE

FY 2018:20

UNIVERSE

56 states and territories.

DIRECTION OF
POSITIVE CHANGE

Increase

TERMS AND
PHRASES

• HABs. Certain environmental conditions in water bodies can intensify algae
growth, causing algal blooms. Blooms with the potential to harm human health or
aquatic ecosystems are referred to as harmful algal blooms or HABs. HABs are
seasonal events, occurring mostly during the summer.

CALCULATION OF
METRIC

Annual

METHODOLOGY

Number of states and territories with a method for notifying the public when there
is an algal bloom of any kind. States have different mechanisms for letting their
citizens know. "Methods" include 1) monitoring for algal blooms (cyanobacteria
cells and/or toxins, use of remote satellite data, reporting forms and links in state
websites for public reporting); 2) responding (guideline values in place,
Cyanobacterial Management/Response Plans in place, post advisories and closures);
3) risk communication (emails, press notifications, maps, websites, social media, and
outreach materials like fact sheets, signs, pictures of blooms, etc.)

DATA SOURCE

Monthly Reports from states and tribes that are publicly available through the
internet.

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National Water Program Metric Definitions

UPDATE FREQUENCY Monthly

OBTAINING DATA These data are published by state departments of health and/or environmental
quality on their HABs webpages.

DATA LIMITATIONS Developing a HABs program that includes a HABs notification system such as a map
AND QUALITY for bloom reporting, or tools to communicate and manage cyanobacterial blooms

and their toxins, such as cyanotoxins management plans, requires both financial and
human resources. During HABs season, states are busy monitoring and providing
guidance, therefore the development of new methodologies is limited, and most
probably new entries will not be published until later in the Fall or Winter when
states stop monitoring for HABs.

MORE https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/monitoring-and-responding-
INFORMATION cyanobacteria-and-cyanotoxins-recreational-waters

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