EPA releases water quality website

WASHINGTON, DC, May 20, 2008 -- EPA released a new database/website for water quality assessment and total maximum daily loads information. The site, known as ATTAINS, combines two formerly separate databases: the National Assessment Database (for water quality assessment information reported by the states under Section 305(b)), and the National Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Tracking System (for impaired waters information reported by the states under Section 303(d)).

The site includes state-reported information on support of designated uses; identified causes and sources of impairment; identified impaired waters; and status of actions (TMDLs) to restore impaired waters. The website allows the user to view dynamic, continuously-updated tables and charts that summarize state-reported information for the nation as a whole, for individual states and waters, and for the 10 EPA regions.

The new website is now online at http://www.epa.gov/waters/ir.

###