The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has completed the 2024 Water Quality Standards Triennial Review. The Triennial Review and Workplan outlines the water quality standard projects DEQ will start or complete between July 2025 and June 2028. DEQ held a public comment period on the draft workplan from Oct. 14 to Dec. 6, 2024 and held a public hearing on Nov. 14, 2024. DEQ submitted the Triennial Review to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on May 7, 2025. EPA action is not required on the final workplan. DEQ also presented the triennial review workplan to the Environmental Quality Commission on May 9, 2025, as an informational item.
The Clean Water Act requires states to hold a public hearing and review water quality standards every three years – called the Triennial Review. The purpose of revising water quality standards is to incorporate new scientific information, meet federal requirements, or improve clarity and program implementation. The Triennial Review does not result in water quality standards changes but will prioritize projects to revise and update water quality standards or clarify the implementation of water quality standards for the next three years. DEQ appreciates the engagement and comments received from the public during the 2024 Triennial Review process. DEQ considered all comments and, based on this input, added or modified several projects to the workplan.
Included in the 2024 Triennial Review are two Outstanding Resource Water nominations as high priority projects. The nomination letters and supporting documents are available for review. The
Outstanding Resource Water web page has more information on the nomination process and Oregon's current Outstanding Resource Waters.
2024 Triennial Review documents
2021 Triennial Review documents
DEQ completed the 2021 Triennial Review, outlining the water quality standards workplan from July 2021 through June 2024. The 2021-2024 Workplan is available below.