Division of Surface Water

Recent Actions and Notices

Announcements

• The third edition of the Nutrient Mass Balance Study for Ohio’s Major River Basins was completed in December 2020 and is available here.
• The General Permit for Small Sanitary Discharges is now final and effective November 1, 2020.
• The General Permit for Small Sanitary Discharges That Cannot Meet BADCT is now final and effective November 1, 2020.
• Electronic PTI Submission Information
  • CLICK HERE
• §319 Nonpoint Source Program releases FY2021 Request for Proposals. Click here to see the RFP and Application.
  Contact rick.wilson@epa.ohio.gov with questions. Deadline extended until Thursday, December 3, 2020.
• Incorporation of Long-Term Control Plans (LTCP) for CSO control into an Integrated Plan. Go here for more information.
• 208 Water Quality Management Plan Certification Update. Go here for more information.
• Alteration of Conditions for Hydrostatic Test Water General Permit OHH00003. Go here for more information.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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

 UPCOMING TRAINING AND EVENTS

• Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI) is offering training opportunities covering aspects of wetland, stream, and river assessment. Please see MBI’s website for more information.
• EnviroScience is offering training opportunities covering aspects of stream and river assessment.  Please see EnviroScience’s website for more information.

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)