Water Quality

For more information about the Oklahoma Conservation Commission's water quality programs and activities, please see the Water Quality Division web pages.

Water and air quality have been of concern since the wind erosion and blowing dust of the 1930s Dust Bowl spawned the conservation movement, which focused on improved agricultural practices to hold soil in place. After government regulations and permitting began addressing industrial air and water pollution in the 1980s, a new culprit emerged — people pollution. Now the focus is on water pollution caused by millions of humans going about their daily lives.

The Oklahoma Conservation Commission's Water Quality Division works with partner agencies and landowners in Oklahoma to protect water from impairment by pollutants including sediment, oil, pesticides, eroded soil, and human and animal waste.

Because 98 percent of Oklahoma land is privately owned, we work closely with local conservation districts and landowners on projects to restore and protect water quality and wetlands. This is important and challenging as more than 78,000 miles of streams and 200 manmade lakes span the state creating over one million acres of surface water that provides drinking water, recreation and wildlife habitat.

Water Quality Division projects use assessment, restoration, and education to encourage residents to voluntarily...

• test soil before applying fertilizers.
• store or dispose of animal waste responsibly (livestock, fowl, pet).
• apply herbicides and pesticides sparingly and/or use integrated pest
  management.
• leave a strip of tall vegetation between yard/field and stream when mowing.
• dispose of paints, grease, and leftover household chemicals at a hazardous
  waste facility.
• restore and protect wetlands on their property.