The purpose of the Watershed Planning, Monitoring, and Assessment 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.