Assessment Lists
The department uses water quality data from a wide variety of sources, including its own monitoring programs, to regularly assess Florida’s rivers, streams, lakes, springs and estuaries to determine whether they meet publicly adopted water quality standards. These standards are established to protect public health, preserve aquatic habitat and wildlife, and ensure safe and healthy fishing and recreational uses. Surface waters that do not meet the standards set for them are determined to be “impaired” and in need of restoration.