Mississippi Criteria Development Progress
This page provides information about the progress Mississippi has made towards the development of numeric criteria and shows what statewide and site-specific criteria are currently in effect.
Note: The information on the tabs below reflects the information available on EPA’s
Water Quality Standards Repository. The criteria presented here will be updated as new water quality standards documents are posted to the Repository.
Numeric Criteria Development
The information presented below gives a summary of state progress towards the development of numeric criteria. The information comes from EPA’s “State Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Standards (1998-2008)” report, current water quality standards, program activity measures, and nutrient criteria development plans. Links to the Mississippi’s Nutrient Criteria Plan and state water quality standards are also provided.
Existing Numeric Criteria
| Waterbody Type | N | P | Chl-a | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes & Reservoirs | ||||
| Rivers & Streams | ||||
| Estuaries | ||||
| Wetlands |
S = Statewide W = For selected waterbody N ⁄ A=Not Applicable
Note: See Statewide Criteria and Site-specific Criteria tabs for more information.
Links to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Plan and Existing Nutrient Criteria
Plans:
- Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for the State of Mississippi 2010
- Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for the State of Mississippi 2007
WQS: Mississippi Water Quality Standards
Mississippi DEQ: Water Quality Standards Exit
Milestone Information
Milestone information updated July 2012.
Milestone |
Rivers and Streams | Lakes and Reservoirs | Estuaries and Coastal Waters | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN | TP | TN | TP | TN | TP | |
| Planning for criteria development | Complete | Complete | Complete | Complete | Complete | Complete |
| Collection of information and data | 12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012 | 12/31/2012 |
| Analysis of information and data | 12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012(non-Delta) 3/31/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2012 | 12/31/2012 |
| Proposal of criteria | 6/30/2013(non-Delta) 11/30/2014 (Delta) |
6/30/2013(non-Delta) 11/30/2014 (Delta) |
6/30/2013(non-Delta) 11/30/2014 (Delta) |
6/30/2013(non-Delta) 11/30/2014 (Delta) |
12/31/2013 | 12/31/2013 |
| Adoption of criteria (EPA-Approved | 12/31/2013(non-Delta) 6/30/2015 (Delta) |
12/31/2013(non-Delta) 6/30/2015 (Delta) |
12/31/2013(non-Delta) 6/30/2015 (Delta) |
12/31/2013(non-Delta) 6/30/2015 (Delta) |
12/31/2013 | 12/31/2013 |
TN: Total Nitrogen; TP: Total Phosphorus
Statewide Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved nutrient criteria for Mississippi’s waterbodies. The language presented below comes directly from state water quality standards and applies to all waterbodies within the state (unless a waterbody type or designated use is noted). Criteria applicable to specific waterbodies within the state can be found on the “Site-specific Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the Mississippi water quality standards.
The following information reflects Mississippi’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved June 2007).
Section II. Minimum Conditions Applicable to All Waters:
3.Waters shall be free from materials attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural, or other discharges producing color, odor, taste, total suspended or dissolved solids, sediment, turbidity, or other conditions in such degree as to create a nuisance, render the waters injurious to public health, recreation, or to aquatic life and wildlife, or adversely affect the palatability of fish, aesthetic quality, or impair the waters for any designated use.
Section III. Specific Water Quality Criteria:
1. Public Water Supply:
G. Specific Chemical Constituents: In addition to the provisions in Section II.4. and 10.,* the following concentrations (dissolved) shall not be exceeded at any time:
| Constituent | Concentration (mg/L) |
|---|---|
| Nitrate (as N) | 10.0 |
* Section II.10. Toxic Substances
Site-specific Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved site-specific nutrient criteria for Mississippi’s waterbodies. Criteria on this page apply only to the waterbodies listed below. Criteria applicable to all waterbodies within the state are found on the “Statewide Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the Mississippi water quality standards.
The following information reflects Mississippi’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved June 2007).
None.