Welcome to the Introductory Water Quality Standards
This course provides new staff with a foundational understanding of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Quality Standards (WQS) program. Instruction focuses on the three core components of the WQS framework and their role in protecting and maintaining surface water quality across the Commonwealth. Participants will gain an understanding of designated and existing uses, criteria, and antidegradation requirements. The course also introduces the use of Chapter 93, supporting references, and DEP’s GIS tools to locate and interpret protected water uses. This course establishes the baseline knowledge required for further training in water quality protection and regulatory implementation.
