Outstanding Resource Waters

Helping communities protect high-quality rivers and streams

It’s no secret that the health of our rivers is threatened by climate change, human activities, and other sources of pollution or degradation. One important tool we have to protect our rivers is the antidegradation provision of the Clean Water Act, which requires a high level of protection for high quality and high priority rivers. Under the Clean Water Act’s antidegradation laws, a state may designate high quality rivers as an “outstanding resource water” (ORW). An ORW designation protects rivers by prohibiting the release of harmful pollution that impairs the high quality nature of these rivers.

• What does it mean to be an ORW
• Learn about ORW work in Washington State