The annual report describing the quality of Oklahoma’s surface water is now available for comment. The Integrated Report combines into one document the Surface Water Quality Assessment and the List of Impaired Waters.
The report includes guidelines of how waterbodies are placed in one of five categories depending how well their designated uses are attained. These uses of water are for activities such as drinking, fishing, swimming, recreation, aesthetics, and agriculture. The proposed placement of Oklahoma waterbodies into these categories based on their assessment can be found in Appendix B (Comprehensive Waterbody Assessment) of Oklahoma’s draft 2012 Integrated Report.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality develops plans with goals and pollution control targets for improving water quality where minimum standards are not met. The waterbodies where these minimum standards are not met are considered to be “impaired.” Impaired waterbodies are listed on Oklahoma’s 303(d) List of Impaired Waters which is found in Appendix C of the draft 2012 Integrated Report.
The ODEQ will hold an informal Public Meeting regarding the draft 2012 Integrated Report, Water Quality in Oklahoma. The meeting will consist of a short presentation, an informal question and answer session (staff from DEQ and other involved State agencies will be on hand to address any questions), and an opportunity to make and/or submit official public comments for the record. The Public Meeting will be held 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality 1st Floor Multipurpose Room at 707 North Robinson (6th and Robinson) in Oklahoma City.