surface-water

EPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria - Human Health

Federal recommended water quality criteria for the protection of human health under the Clean Water Act.

Verified March 24, 2026 Source: Clean Water Act Section 304(a)

EPA’s recommended water quality criteria for the protection of human health. Covers both “water + organism” criteria (for waters that are a drinking water source) and “organism only” criteria (for waters where only fish consumption is the exposure route). These criteria are used by states to set water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. Note: the full table spans multiple pages on the EPA site.