All surface waters in North Carolina are assigned a primary classification that provides a level of protection for water recreation and drinking water by the Department of Environment and Natural Resource’s (DENR) Division of Water Quality (DWQ). These primary classifications label waters for their appropriate usage, whether that be recreation or as drinking water. In addition to the primary classifications, supplemental classifications can be added by DWQ to provide further protection to waters with special uses or values. Two classifications aimed at preserving water quality, High Quality Waters (HQW) and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), only apply to waterways having excellent water quality. These classifications are the principal means of ensuring that North Carolina’s pristine rivers and streams are not degraded.
High Quality Waters
High Quality Waters is a supplemental classification intended to protect waters with quality higher than state water quality standards. A waterway can be named HQW by definition or can be designated as HQW. The following are High Quality Waters by definition:
- Water Supply I or II waters;
- Shellfishing waters;
- Outstanding Resource Waters;
- Waters designated as Primary Nursery Areas or other functional nursery areas by the Marine Fisheries Commission; or
- Native and Special Native (wild) Trout Waters as designated by the Wildlife Resources Commission.
There are also waters that can be given supplemental designated as High Quality Waters. These include:
- Waters for which DWQ has received a petition for reclassification to either WS-I or WS-II, or
- Waters rated as Excellent by DWQ.
Outstanding Resource Waters
Outstanding Resource Waters is a classification intended to protect unique and special waters having excellent water quality and of exceptional state or national ecological or recreational significance. To qualify, waters must be rated as having excellent water quality by the Division of Water Quality and also have an “outstanding resource value.” This resource value must be one of the following:
- Outstanding fish habitat or fisheries;
- Unusually high level of water-based recreation;
- Some special designation, such as North Carolina or National Wild/Scenic/Natural/Recreational River, National Wildlife Refuge, etc.;
- Be an important component of a state or national park or forest; or
- Be of special ecological significance.
How are HQW and ORW classifications put into place?
Waterways can be designated as HQW and ORW by the Division of Water Quality or citizens can apply to have a waterway reclassified. Once a reclassification application is sent in to the Division of Water Quality, the division conducts a Use Attainment Study to make sure the waterway meets the criteria for reclassification as HQW or ORW.
If the division finds that the water does in fact qualify, the rule making process is begun by recommending to the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) that the waterway be reclassified. A public comment period is then held and the results are presented to the EMC. Upon approval of the reclassification, the rule goes to the Rules Review Commission (RRC). If the RRC also approves the reclassification, the rule then becomes effective the first day of the month following approval.
This process can be lengthy. It is estimated that the Use Attainment Study and development of the division’s recommendations can take 8 months while the ensuing rule making process is approximately 18 months.