Bioassessment and Biocriteria Program Status for Puerto Rico: Streams and Wadeable Rivers
State Program Contact
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
Water Quality Standards
WQS Information
The link to Puerto Rico's WQS that are in effect for Clean Water Act purposes is provided. These are the WQS approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The territory of Puerto Rico provided information and links to sections of their administrative code on designated aquatic life use, biological criteria, antidegradation as well as technical support documents and information on its bioassessment and biocriteria programs. These are included for your convenience and may or may not reflect the most recent EPA-approved WQS.
Designated Aquatic Life Uses
- SB - coastal waters and estuarine waters for propagation and maintenance of desirable species, including threatened or endangered species
- SD – surface water propagation and preservation of desirable species, including threatened and endangered species.
- SE – surface waters and wetlands of exceptional ecological value, whose existing conditions should not be altered in order to preserve natural characteristics.
Biological Criteria
_____ Narrative
_____ Numeric
__X__ No criteria
Antidegradation Policy
Not applicable.
Biological Assessment
What biological assemblages are used in the bioassessment program?
None.
Are bioassessments used to support 303(d) listings?
No.
How are assemblages used to make impairment decisions?
Not applicable.
Other uses of biocriteria or bioassessment within the water quality program:
Not applicable.
Technical Support Information and Documents
Reference condition
Not applicable.
Biocriteria
Not applicable.
Stressor identification/causal analysis approach
Not applicable.