Current and Past Actions

The State Environmental Commission (SEC) is charged with adopting and amending regulations to carry out the provisions of the Water Pollution Control Law, including water quality standards. All WQS revisions, adopted by the SEC, are provided to the Legislative Council Bureau (LCB) for review and approval and incorporation into the Nevada Administrative Code. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the final authority to approve, dissaprove, or take no action on the proposed water quality standards regulation. Below is a listing of our current WQS activities and all of our past WQS actions. Note: prior to September 1993, the water quality standards changes are kept on file within NDEP.

Current Water Quality Standards Activities

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is proposing a regulatory action for adoption of an updated antidegradation program with clear implementation procedures that would be applicable to all surface waters of the State. 

Proposed Regulations for Antidegradation LCB File No. 113-22

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), Bureau of Water Quality Planning (BWQP) proposed to adopt regulation petitions LCB File No. R1115-22, and R116-22 amending Chapter 445A of the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 445A.11704 – 445A.2234 – Standards for Water Quality.  R115-22: This regulation proposes to amend the NAC, to assign beneficial uses and criteria that are better suited for flood-conveyance channels in Las Vegas. R116-22: This regulation proposes to adopt site-specific selenium criteria for segments of the Las Vegas Wash.  These two regulations have been approved through Nevada's rule making process and are awaiting approval by the EPA. 

LCB File No. R115-22, and R116-22 (Awaiting EPA approval)

Proposed Regulations for Antidegradation and EAWs - The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is proposing a regulatory action for adoption of an updated antidegradation program with clear implementation procedures that would be applicable to all surface waters of the State.  

Temperature Water Quality Standards Review - The Bureau of Water Quality Planning has developed scientifically supported guidance for updating our temperature water quality standards in Nevada waters.  As NDEP reviews temperature standards throughout the state this guidence will be followed to establish proper temperature criteria for protection of aquatic life. 

Past Water Quality Standards actions, as managed by the SEC

Petition IDAdopted by SECEffective OnPetition to Change

R114-22

12/14/2022

12/15/2022

Statewide Beryllium, Water Quality Standards Revision

R043-19

12/4/2019

08/26/2022

Statewide Selenium, Water Quality Standards Revision

R036-19

10/2/2019

10/30/2019

Cadmium, Water Quality Standards Revision

R037-19

10/2/2019

10/30/2019

Colorado River, Water Quality Standards Revision

R102-16

12/5/2017

12/19/2017

Lower Humboldt Class Waters, Water Quality Standards Revision

R109-16

12/5/2017

12/19/2017

Consistency Petition, Water Quality Standards Revision

R101-14

2/10/2016

4/4/2016

Lahonton Reservoir, Water Quality Standards Revision

R130-15

2/10/2016

4/4/2016

Lower Humboldt Class Waters, Water Quality Standards Revision

R103-14

12/3/2014

12/22/2014

South Fork Humboldt River and South Fork Reservoir Water Quality Standards Revisions

R102-14

10/8/2014

10/24/2014

Upper Humboldt Class Waters, Water Quality Standards Revision

R093-13

12/4/2013

12/23/2013

Remove NV WQS on Federal Indian Reservations

R128-12

10/11/2012

12/20/2012

Smoke, Bronco, and Gray Creeks revises DO and chloride standards

R129-12

10/11/2012

12/20/2012

Aquatic life toxics standards

R130-12

10/11/2012

12/20/2012

North Antelope Creek standards

R131-12

10/11/2012

12/20/2012

Statewide fecal coliform standards

R132-12

10/11/2012

12/20/2012

Colorado River Salinity Standards

R129-10

12/7/2010

1/13/2011

Class D Waters and Removal of Tribal waters

R127-10

10/5/2010

12/16/2010

Smoke, Bronco, and Gray Creeks standards

R130-10

10/5/2010

12/16/2010

Colorado River Salinity Standards

R133-10

10/5/2010

12/16/2010

Snake River Basin standards

R186-08

11/12/2008

12/17/2008

Molybdenum aquatic life standard

R160-06

6/17/2008

8/26/2008

Class water removal and standards tables

R083-08

6/17/2008

8/26/2008

Muddy River standards

R-158-06

9/6/2006

9/18/2006

Toxic materials applicable to designated waters

R-159-06

9/6/2006

9/18/2006

Colorado River Salinity Standards

R-136-04

11/30/2004

2/17/2005

Lake Mead and Las Vegas Bay standards

R-226-03

2/26/2004

4/23/2004

Class Waters standards

R099-02

11/19/2002

12/17/2002

Statewide Standards Amendments

R128-01

12/11/2001

1/18/2002

Walker River standards

R129-01

12/11/2001

1/18/2002

Walker Lake standards

R104-00

2/15/2001

Not Filed

Walker River and Lake standards

R017-99

9/9/1999

9/27/1999

Health Division drinking standard

R110-96

4/10/1999

5/25/1999

Lake Tahoe Basin Regulation Repeal

R062-98

6/17/1998

8/4/1998

Las Vegas Bay satndards

R086-96

10/22/1996

11/27/1996

Lake Tahoe Basin standards #2

R127-95

11/7/1995

11/29/1995

Humboldt River standards

R128-95

11/7/1995

11/29/1995

Toxic materials and metals update

R031-95

10/3/1995

11/9/1995

Lake Tahoe Basin standards

R112-94

8/11/1994

9/15/1994

Carson River standards

R060-94

5/26/1994

7/5/1994

Lake Mead Marina Campground Ammonia

R059-94

5/26/1994

7/5/1994

Aquatic standards for selected metals

R048-93

9/22/1993

10/29/1993

Truckee River standards

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