Final Decision Issued on Missouri’s List of Impaired Waters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a final decision on Missouri’s 2010 list of impaired waters. The latest decision brings the total number of impaired waters in the state to 245.

“EPA fully supports Missouri’s efforts to develop pollutant reduction plans, which will restore water quality in the state. The impaired waters list helps the Missouri Department of Natural Resources set priorities for restoration activities in Missouri’s lakes, streams and rivers,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources submitted its impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval as required by the Clean Water Act. The Act requires EPA to review the state’s list of impaired waters to determine if the state reasonably considered available water quality-related data, and identifies waters to be listed.

EPA considered and incorporated a number of comments from local citizens and representatives of organizations in the final decision. A water body is placed on the impaired waters list when monitoring finds that pollutant levels prevent the lake, river or stream from attaining its beneficial uses. Beneficial uses in Missouri include human recreation, agricultural water supply, and maintaining healthy aquatic life.

Source: U.S. EPA