Focus On Water
Surface Water Quality Standards

NDEE develops water quality standards that designate the beneficial uses to be made of surface waters and the water quality criteria to protect the assigned uses. Title 117 - Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards form the basis of water quality protection for all surface water quality programs conducted by the department. These standards were revised and approved in 2012.

In addition to developing the standards, the Planning Unit develops and implements procedures for applying the standards to surface water quality programs.