Watershed Planning, Monitoring & Assessment

The purpose of the Monitoring, Assessment, and Science Section is as follows:

  • Implements sections 303(c), 303(d), 303(e), 305(b), and 604(b) of the Clean Water Act
  • Identifies and prioritizes impaired streams, lakes, and wetlands and develops Total Maximum Daily Loads for high priority waterbodies
  • Develops statewide surface water quality standards
  • Provides information on the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of streams, publicly owned lakes and wetlands in Kansas
  • Tracks environmental contaminant levels in fish and other aquatic life and issues fish consumption advisories
  • Monitors water quality conditions in streams and publicly owned lakes and wetlands throughout Kansas and performs special water pollution investigations in cooperation with KDHE district offices and other governmental agencies
  • Performs compliance monitoring at NPDES permitted facilities to determine the status of compliance with discharge permit requirements
  • Maintains and updates the Kansas Surface Water register identifying classified streams and lakes along with designated use status and use attainability analysis status
  • Develops the biennial Kansas Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report (305(b) and 303(d))
  • Administers the Harmful Algal Bloom response program and issues public health advisories

Video: Protecting Our Water - The Kansas River

Learn more about collaborative efforts to protect the Kansas River, which supports the drinking water system for more than 800,000 Kansans.