Nutrients Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida

Clean water is vital for Florida. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus, or "nutrient pollution," is the primary cause of water quality impairment throughout the state and causes algae blooms -- the thick, green muck that fouls clear water. Nutrient pollution threatens human health and the environment, hurts businesses, costs jobs, reduces property values and otherwise impacts the quality of life for all Floridians. Water quality standards help to protect and restore the quality of the Nation's surface waters, consistent with the requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Under an agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Florida will adopt numeric nutrient criteria for the majority of the State’s waters.

November 2012 Actions to Address Nutrient Pollution in Florida

On November 30, 2012, EPA took multiple actions to help address nutrient pollution in the State of Florida.

• Fact sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 208K) 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Rules

FDEP submitted to EPA for approval rules establishing numeric criteria on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus allowed in Florida’s waterways. After careful review, on November 30, 2012, EPA approved FDEP’s rules and supporting documentation as consistent with the requirements of the Clean Water Act and applicable federal regulations for the water bodies they cover.

More information about EPA's approval of Florida's nutrient rules can be found here.

Federal Rulemakings

In accordance with consent decree requirements and because the state’s rules do not cover some coastal waters, many estuaries and a subset of flowing waters, EPA proposed two federal rules that address these water bodies. Together with FDEP’s approved rules, these proposed criteria seek to improve water quality and protect public health, aquatic life and the long-term recreational uses of Florida’s waters, which are a critical part of the state’s economy. More information on EPA’s proposed rules is provided below.

• The first rule (Inland Rule) serves to clarify some provisions in the rule EPA promulgated in 2010 establishing numeric nutrient limits in Florida's streams and rivers.
  
  EPA is also proposing to stay (postpone the applicability) the effective date for this rule to November 15, 2013. EPA is proposing the stay to allow time to gain clarity on the implementation of Florida’s rule.
  
  
• The second rule (Coastal Rule) proposes numeric nutrient limits for those estuaries not covered by the state rule, coastal waters, and flowing waters in South Florida.

EPA held two public information sessions about the proposed rules in Tampa, Florida on January 17 and 18. The Agency also held three webinars on January 22, 23, and 24.  

• EPA’s Webinars on the Proposed Coastal Rule and Remanded Portions of the Inland Rule

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