Water quality - Plant Management in Florida Waters

Water quality
and
Florida's Surface Water Classification

Water quality is a subjective, judgmental term used to describe the condition of a waterbody in relation to human needs or values. The phrases "good water quality" or "poor water quality" are often related to whether the waterbody is meeting expectations about how it can be used and what the attitudes of the waterbody users are.

Water quality is not absolute. One person may judge a waterbody as being high quality, while someone with a different set of values may judge the same waterbody as being poor quality. For example, a lake with an abundance of aquatic macrophytes in the water may not be inviting for swimmers but may look like a good fishing spot to anglers.

Water quality guidelines for freshwaters have been developed by various regulatory and governmental agencies. For example, the Canadian Council of Resource and Environmental Ministers provides basic scientific information about the effects of water quality parameters in several categories, including raw water for drinking water supply, recreational water quality and aesthetics, support of freshwater aquatic life, agricultural uses, and industrial water supply.

SURFACE WATER CLASSIFICATION
Water quality guidelines developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) provide use standards (Florida Administrative Code 62.302.5.0). The FDEP guidelines provide different water quality standards for waterbodies in each of five classes that are defined by their respective designated uses as follows:

Class I waters are for POTABLE WATER SUPPLIES;
Class II waters are for SHELLFISH PROPOGATION OR HARVESTING;
Class III waters are for RECREATION and PROPOGATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A HEALTHY, WELL-BALANCED POPULATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE;
Class IV waters are for AGRICULTURAL WATER SUPPLIES; and
Class V waters are for NAVIGATION, UTILITY AND INDUSTRIAL USE.

All Florida waterbodies are designated as Class III unless they have been specifically classified otherwise (refer to Chapter 62.302.400, Florida Administrative Code for a list of waterbodies that are not Class III).

The information on this page was derived in part from the following publication of
Florida Lakewatch of the University of Florida Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
This booklet may be downloaded in its entirety as a PDF file by clicking here.
Scroll down till you see the Circular 101 icon.

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A collaboration of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, and the Invasive Plant Management Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Water quality and Florida's Surface Water Classification

Water quality
and
Florida's Surface Water Classification