Impaired Water Bodies

12/02/25

“How does the EPA classify water bodies that don’t meet water quality standards?”

Water bodies all over the world have different levels of pollution. In the U.S., some water bodies are so polluted that they don’t meet water quality standards, leading the EPA to classify them as Impaired Water Bodies. Impaired water bodies are eligible to have a total maximum load pollution limit and environmental review for projects that may impact them to protect against further degradation.

• Earth/Climate science
• Engineering
• Policy
• Urban Systems