Triennial Review 

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Bureau of Water is conducting a triennial review of the State’s Water Quality Standards (WQS) as required by 40 CFR 131.20 and consistent with the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(c)(1). The purpose of the triennial review is to assess, develop, update, and revise WQS once every three years in accordance with the CWA.

The triennial review process will not be complete without public input, which will form an essential part of the Illinois EPA decisions on projects to address during the next three years. There are several avenues for meaningful public participation in the triennial review process, including an online survey to facilitate the selection and ranking of project topics for the next three years, a public comment period to solicit written public comments on priority topics for the next three years, and an online public hearing to answer questions and accept comments from the public. 

Following the survey, public hearing, and public comment period, the Illinois EPA will present a final selection of ranked topics in a publicly-available ‘Summary and Agency Statement’ document. The Illinois EPA will then propose relevant WQS to the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB). The Illinois EPA’s accomplishment of the projects will ultimately depend on the resources available to prepare, submit, and defend relevant WQS proposals before the IPCB.

Comments, questions, and requests for information regarding the triennial review should be directed to Barb Lieberoff, Illinois EPA Office of Community Relations, 1021 North Grand Avenue East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276, phone 217-524-3038, email barb.lieberoff@illinois.gov, TDD 866-273-5488.

Summary and Agency Statement 

Hearing Order Extension 1 for Availability of Summary and Agency Statement

Hearing Order Extension 2 for Availability of Summary and Agency Statement

For more information regarding the triennial review - including the process, requirements, tentative timeline, potential topics and more - see our overview of the triennial review process (Leer en Español). 

Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Hearing
This public notice includes information regarding the online survey, public comment period, and public hearing. 

Hearing Order
By this hearing order, the Illinois EPA hereby extends the written public comment period and online public survey until 11:59 p.m. CT on September 7, 2023.

1. Address USEPA Disapprovals for CAWS\Recreation (R2008-009(A))

Upper North Shore Channel from the Wilmette Pumping Station to Northside Water Reclamation Plant

Calumet River from Lake Michigan to the O’Brien Lock and Dam

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from its Confluence with the Calumet-Sag Channel to its Confluence with the Des Plaines River

Lower Des Plaines River from its Confluence with the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam

2. Adopt Harmful Algae Bloom (HABs) Water Quality Standards (WQS)

3. Update Subpart F: Procedures for Determining Water Quality Criteria

4. Adopt Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) WQS

5. Evaluate Designated Uses

CAWS including the LDPR aquatic life use designations and non-primary contact designations

6. Evaluate Designated Uses

South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River (Bubbly Creek)

7. Propose Updates to Chloride WQS (EPA 440/5-88-001)

8. Propose Updates to Selenium WQS (EPA-R-21-006)

9. Propose Updates to Copper WQS to the Biotic Ligand Model (EPA-822-R-07-001)

10. Adopt Arsenic (Human Health Criteria)

11. Update WQS for:

Arsenic (EPA-820-B-96-001)

Chromium (trivalent, dissolved) (EPA-820-B-96-001)

Silver (EPA 44015-80-071)

12. Adopt Aluminum WQS (EPA-822-R-18-001)

13. Propse Updates to Pathogen WQS from Fecal Coliform to E. Coli

14. Investigate Emerging Contaminants

6PPD-quinone (rubber crumbles)

Plastics

Neonicotinoids

15. Evaluate the Antidegradation Rules (35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.105)

16. Propose Updates/Adopt Lake Numeric Nutrient Criteria (EPA-822-B01-001)

The Illinois EPA is seeking input from the public regarding the project topics through a survey to identify public areas of concern regarding water quality. As part of the survey, 16 potential topics (listed above) are included and are to be reordered by most to least concerning. The survey is accessible to the public and will remain active until the end of the extended written public comment period on September 7, 2023. The survey should only be taken once.

Survey link

Survey instructions  (Leer en Español)

Hearing Order
By this hearing order, the Illinois EPA hereby extends the written public comment period and online public survey until 11:59 p.m. CT on September 7, 2023.

Hearing Order
By this hearing order, the Illinois EPA hereby extends the written public comment period and online public survey until 11:59 p.m. CT on September 7, 2023.

If you would like to provide written comments, please email your comments to EPA.PublicHearingCom@illinois.gov. Written comments may also be mailed to the Illinois EPA, attention Jeff Guy, Hearing Officer, 1021 North Grand Avenue East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276. Please reference ‘triennial review’ in your email or letter. Email comments originating on third party systems or servers intended for submittal of multiple emails of the same or nearly the same content will not be accepted without prior approval from the Illinois EPA Hearing Officer.

The Illinois EPA will hold an online public hearing Webinar on July 6, 2023 to explain the triennial review process, present potential project topics, and to answer questions and accept comments from the public. The hearing will be held online with an afternoon session beginning at 2:00 p.m. and an evening session beginning at 6:00 p.m. Information on how to connect to the hearing is provided below.

Registration is required if you would like to speak during either session of the hearing. Please contact the Illinois EPA Hearing Offer, Jeff Guy, by email at EPA.PublicHearingCom@Illinois.gov or by phone at 217-785-8724 to reserve an opportunity to speak during either hearing session. The deadline to register is 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2023.

Questions regarding hearing procedures or requests for interpretation (including sign language) must be made by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 6, 2023 by contacting the Illinois EPA Hearing Officer by email at EPA.PublicHearingCom@Illinois.gov, by calling 217-785-8724 or the TDD phone number 866-273-5488.

Public Hearing Connection Instructions
You may log in or call in to the hearing up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the hearing or any time during the hearing. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Jeff Guy, Illinois EPA Hearing Officer, by email at EPA.PublicHearingCom@Illinois.gov or by phone at 217-785-8724.

Online Public Hearing Information
Date: Thursday, July 6, 2023
Times: 2:00 p.m. CT and 6:00 p.m. CT
Join Link
Webinar Number: 2469 985 5079
Webinar Password: Water (92837 from phones)

Connect by Computer
1. Select this link.
2. Select Open Webex on the prompt. If the prompt doesn’t appear, select Launch Webinar instead.
3. If prompted, enter your information (name and address). Select Join Webinar.
4. If prompted, enter the Webinar Number (2469 985 5079) and/or Webinar Password (92837).
5. An audio connection is required. The best audio connection option is Call Me (from the Select Audio Connection drop down, select Call Me). Input or select your telephone number.

Connect by Dial-in Phone
1. Call 312-535-8110
2. When prompted, enter the Webinar Number (2469 985 5079) and then press the pound sign (#).
3. Enter the numeric meeting password (92837) and then press the pound sign (#).

Tips
• Find a quiet location with a power source for your device.
• Close all background applications or browser sessions.
• Reduce distractions and practice good meeting etiquette.
• Non-smartphone cellular (mobile) phones or landlines provide an audio-only experience.
• Smartphone, iPad or Tablets use the Webex mobile application.

Pertinent Information

Hearing Notice (Extension of written public comment period and online public survey until 11:59 p.m. CT on September 7, 2023)
Hearing Officer Statements (Illinois EPA opening hearing remarks)
Overview of Triennial Review Process
Survey Link
Survey Instructions
Hearing Recording (2 p.m. session)
Hearing Recording (6 p.m. session)
Summary and Agency Statement