Section 301.102  Policy

The General Assembly has found that water pollution "constitutes a menace to public health and welfare, creates public nuisances, is harmful to wildlife, fish, and aquatic life, impairs domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, and other legitimate beneficial uses of water, depresses property values, and offends the senses".  It is the purpose of these rules and regulations to designate the uses for which the various waters of the State shall be maintained and protected; to prescribe the water quality standards required to sustain the designated uses; to establish effluent standards to limit the contaminants discharged to the waters; and to prescribe additional regulations necessary for implementing, achieving and maintaining the prescribed water quality.  It is also the purpose of these Regulations to meet the requirements of Section 402 of the Clean Water Act.