Division of Surface Water

Documents Available For Comment

 Training Events 

• Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI) is offering training opportunities covering aspects of wetland, stream and river assessment this year. Please see MBI’s website for the training schedule.

Announcements

• The 2019 Section 319 Request for Proposals has been updated to show the extended date of March 15, 2019 to submit applications. The application form has also been updated. Under the “Quick Links” drop down box, please select the “Section 319 Grant Program.” Select the “319 Grants” tab for the revised documents.
• Dovetail Energy LLC, Receipt of Permit to Install (PTI) Application Response to Comments Go here for more information.
• Wiles Storage Pond, Receipt of Permit to Install (PTI) Application Response to Comments Go here for more information.
• The second edition of the Nutrient Mass Balance Study for Ohio’s Major River Basins was completed in April 2018 and is available here.
• State of Ohio Releases Latest Version of Plan to Reduce Nutrients in Lake Erie Basin. Go here for more information.
• An Initial Technology Screening Questionnaire for Proposed Solutions is now available to help vendors sufficiently document proposals intended to address water quality issues.  Go here for more information.
• Senate Bill 1 Capability Study to Reduce Phosphorus. Go here for more information.
• River Mile Maps - Check out the new page displaying Ohio river mile map information. 
• For final individual NPDES permits, go here for more information.

Division of Surface Water Mission Statement

The division's mission is to protect, enhance and restore all waters of the state for the health, safety and welfare of present and future generations. We accomplish this mission by monitoring the aquatic environment, permitting, enforcing environmental laws, using and refining scientifically sound methods and regulations, planning, coordinating, educating, providing technical assistance and encouraging pollution prevention practices.

Who We Are

Ohio is a water-rich state with more than 25,000 miles of streams and rivers, a 451-mile border on the Ohio River, more than 5,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs (>1 acre), and 236 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. Ohio has 10 scenic rivers comprising more than 629 river miles, the fourth largest total of any state in the nation.

The Division of Surface Water is responsible for restoring and maintaining the quality of Ohio's rivers and streams. The goal of Ohio's surface water program -- restoration and maintenance of Ohio's water resources -- reflects the national water quality objective in the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), which is "to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. The CWA objective is often referred to as the "fishable/swimmable goal."

The fishable/swimmable goal is different from the popular idea of clean water as being water that is chemically pure. Instead, fishable/swimmable waters are resources that support stable, balanced populations of aquatic organisms which are ecologically "healthy," and provide safe water to the people of Ohio for public and industrial water supplies and recreation.

The Division of Surface Water has a full time staff of approximately 240 located in Columbus and the five district offices. The division also employs approximately 50 interns during the summer to assist with biological and chemical water quality surveys. Funding for the division is comprised of federal and state monies as well as annual discharge fees.

The Tools We Use

The Division of Surface Water utilizes many tools in working to achieve its goals:

• Water Quality Programs — these programs support the Clean Water Act’s “fishable, swimmable” goals for all surface waters in Ohio. These programs assess the quality of the surface waters, set standards for protection of the waters and establish plans to bring impaired waters back into attainment with water quality goals.
• Inland Lakes Program — contains information on water quality monitoring of Ohio's inland lakes.
• Lake Erie Programs — remedial action and management plans for restoring and maintaining beneficial uses of Lake Erie.
• Nonpoint Source, Section 319 & Surface Water Improvement Fund (SWIF) Programs — promote implementation of land use practices to reduce nonpoint source (runoff) pollution.
• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program — focuses on identifying and restoring impaired or threatened water bodies.
• Water Quality Monitoring Program — conducts statewide biological and water quality surveys to support water quality management activities.
• Water Quality Standards Program — contains the current standards and guidelines for meeting Ohio's water quality goals.
• Credible Data (Volunteer Monitoring) Program — classifies surface water monitoring performed by watershed groups, state agencies, schools, local volunteers and other organizations.
• Enforcement Program — works with the regulated community to insure compliance with water quality standards.
• GIS & Interactive Maps — view and download geographic information related to Ohio's surface waters.
• Permits Programs — The Division of Surface Water's permits program contains permit regulations and procedures for 
  • biosolids, concentrated animal feeding operations, municipal and industrial wastewater (individual or general),  pretreatment and storm water individual and general permits, construction permit to install permits and section 401 water quality certification and isolated wetland permits.
• Section 208 Plans & State Water Quality Management Plan Program — contains information in Areawide Waste Treatment Management Plans prepared pursuant to Section 208 of the Clean Water Act and the State Water Quality Management Plan.
• Sport Fish Consumption Advisory Program — provides information on fish consumption advisories issued by the Ohio Department of Health for sport fish caught in Ohio waters.
• Water Quality Certified Professional Program — Certifying professionals to assess streams and categorize wetlands in support of applications for Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and Isolated Wetland Permits

• Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory
• Division of Environmental Services Discharge Monitoring Report-Quality Assurance
• Forms and Documents
• Harmful Algal Blooms and Algal Toxins
• Household Sewage Treatment Systems 
• Ohio's Nutrient Reduction Strategy 
• Ohio Water Resources Council
• Ohio Water Resources Council Sponsored Water Quality Monitoring Information
• Pesticide Applications
• Phosphorus Task Force - Phase II
• Rainwater and Land Development Manual
• Rules

Central Office

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Water Environment Federation (WEF)
• Ohio Water Environment Association (OWEA)
• Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO)
• Operator Training Committee of Ohio (OTCO)
• National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC)
• Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN)