Abstract: In USA, there is a set of complete economic analysis procedures to help states and tribes set and revise water quality standards. A systematic analysis on the procedures and related indices would be useful for improving the economic analysis in development of water quality standards and for settling economically feasible water quality standards in China. The economic analysis procedures and related financial indices were focused on and its applications in antidegradation policy introduced. Based on current situations of water environmental management in China, related idea of economic analysis for water quality standard development was proposed.