Why are the EPA's water quality standards useful?

Answer 1

They give communities uniform safety guidelines to follow when assessing their water quality.

Answer 2

The EPA's water quality standards are useful because they provide regulatory benchmarks to protect human health and the environment. These standards help ensure that water bodies are safe for drinking, swimming, and other uses, and they guide pollution control efforts to improve water quality. Additionally, they provide a basis for monitoring and assessing water quality to track progress and address emerging issues.