c/EPA
United Scans
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA440/5-P01012..
September 1988
Watsr
Phosphorus
I
Water Quality Standards
Criteria Summaries:
A Compilation
of State/Federal Criteria
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DISCLAIMER
This publication was prepared by Battelle under contract to
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Contract 68-03-3534).
Secondary information sources were used to compile data presented
in this document. Each State was given an opportunity to review
and provide comments on a draft of this information document. In
no event shall either the United States or Battelle have any
responsibility or liability for any use, misuse, or reliance upon
the information contained herein, nor does either warrant or
otherwise represent in any way the accuracy, adequacy, efficacy
or applicability of the contents hereof.
The reader should consult the water quality standards of a
particular State for exact regulatory language applicable to that
State. Copies of State water quality standards may be obtained
f---. the State's Water Pollution Control Agency or its
ivalent.
Additional information may also be obtained from the:
Standards Branch
Criteria and Standards Division (WH-585)
Office of Water Regulations and Standards
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
202-475-7315
This document may be obtained only from the National Technical
Information Service (NTIS) at the following address:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Front Royal Road
Springfield, Virginia 22161
703-487-4650
The NTIS order number is: PB89-141444
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INTRODUCTION
This digest is compiled to provide general information to the public as veil
as to Federal, State, and .local officials. It contains excerpts from the
individual Federal-State water quality standards establishing pollutant
specific criteria for interstate surface vaters. The vater quality standards
program is implemented • by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency vhere
responsibility for providing vater quality recommendations, approving
State-adopted standards for interstate vaters, evaluating adherence to the
standards, and overseeing enforcement of standards compliance, has been
mandated by Congress.
Standards, a nationwide strategy for surface vater quality management, contain
three major . elements: the use (recreation, drinking vater, fish and vildlife
propagation, industrial, or agricultural) to be made of the navigable vater;
criteria to protect these uses; and an antidegradation statement to protect
existing high quality vaters, from degradation by the addition of pollutants.
Guidance for the development of standards by individual States is contained in
tvo EPA documents entitled Vater Quality Standards Handbook (1983) and Quality
Criteria for Vater (1986).
Criteria for phosphorus in State vater quality standards-is the subject of
this digest. Phosphorus criteria for vater are established to provide a
threshold level vhich vhen exceeded vould most likely result in aquatic life
toxicity, due to elemental phosphorus, and excessive aquatic plant grovth,
caused by phosphate phosphorus vhich is an essential plant nutrient.
Phosphorus and phosphates usually enter a vaterbody from land runoff, human
and animal excretia, decaying vegetation, and industrial processes and
detergents. Once combined vith other nutrients in a vaterbody, their removal
becomes tedious and expensive. The 1986 Quality Criteria for Vater recommends
a phosphorus criterion of:
0.10 ug/L yellow (elemental) phosphorus for marine and estuarine
vaters.
No criteria for fresh vater.
Since vater quality standards experience revisions and upgrading from time to
time, following procedures set forth in the Clean Vater Act, individual
entries in this digest may be superseded. As these revisions are accomplished
and allowing for the States to revise their standards accordingly, this digest
will be updated and reissued. Because this publication is not intended for
use other than as a general information resource, to obtain the latest
information and for special purposes and applications, the reader needs to
refer to the current approved vater quality standards. These can be obtained
from the State vater pollution control agencies or the EPA or Regional
Offices.
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REFERENCES
3 Water Quality Boundaries and Standards (Arizona), Article 2. Surface Water
Quality Standards, A.R.S R18.ll, 1987.
5 California Water Quality Standards by River Basins, ca. 1975
For more detailed information on selected basins, sub-basins and stretches
of streams and coastal areas refer to California State Water Quality
Standards.
9 Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 17-4, 1987 and Florida Administrative
Code, Chapter 17-3, 1988.
11 Hawaii Administative Rules, Title II, Hawaii Department of Health,
Chapter 54: Water Quality Standards, 1988.
31 Water Quality Standards for Interstate and Intrastate Streams in Nev
Mexico, State of New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission, 1988.
35 Ohio Water Quality Standards, Chapter 3745-1 of the Administrative Code,
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 1985.
43 Texas Surface Water .Quality Standards, Texas Water Commission, Rule
Change, 1988.
44 Utah Standards of Quality for Waters of the State, Wastewater Disposal
Regulations: Part II, State of Utah Department of Health: Division of
Environmental Health, 1988.
45 Vermont Water Quality Standards, State of Vermont Water Resource Board,
1987.
51 Water Quality Standards for American Samoa, 1984, pp. 20-25.
53 Revised Guam Water Quality Standards, Guam Environmental Protection
Agency, 1984, p. 9.
54 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Marine and Fresh Water Quality
Standards, Commonwealth Register, Vol. 8 No. 5, 1986, p. 4465.
55 Puerto Rico Water Quality Standards Regulation, Environmental Quality
Board, 1983.
56 Marine and Fresh Water Quality Standard Regulations, Trust Territory,
1986, p. 6.
57 Water Quality Standards for Coastal Waters of the Virgin Islands, Title
12, Chapter 7, Subchapter 186, March 7, 1985, p. 264.
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ENVIRONMENT REPORTER, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. Washington, D.C.
20037
4 Pages 716:1005, August 30, 1985
6 Page 726:1011, August 22, 1986
8 Pages 736:1002, :1010, March 28, 1986
11 Pages 756:1003 - 1008, September 20, 1985
12 Pages 761:1026, January 23, 1987
13 Pages 766:0505, May 25, 1984
14 Pages 771:1002, August 10, 1984; 771:1006.3, November 29, 1985; 771:1002,
December 26, 1980; 771:1020, January 10, 1986
16 Page 781:1011 - 1012, March 27, 1987
17 Page 786:1008, November 29, 1985
18 Page 791:1006, January 18, 1985
19 Pages 796:0105-0106, April 18, 1986, 796:0522, January 23, 1987
21 Pages 806:1002 - 1004, June 21, 1985
22 Page 811:1004, February 13, 1987
28 Page 841:1001, February 22, 1985; 841:1005 June 29, 1984; 841:1013-1088,
February 22, 1985
29 Page 846:1002, October 5, 1984
30 Pages 851:1013, April 11, 1986
32 Pages 861:1010, November 29, 1985
33 Page 866:1014, August 29, 1986
34 Pages 871:1003 - 1006, June 7, 1985
39 Pages 901:1003, August 9, 1985
40 Pages 906:1006, :1008, November 29, 1985
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State and Vater Use
Phosphorus.Cri teria Values
Alabama
Not specified
Alaska'
Not specified
Arizona"
Numeric nutrient standards for total phosphates (mg/L)
for certain surface vater segments as adopted by the
Council are as follows:
Verde River and 0.10
Tributaries to 0.30
Bartlett Lake 1.00
Vhite River, Black 0.10
River, Tonto Creek 0.20
and Tributaries 0.80
Salt River and 0.12
Tributaries, except 0.30
Final Creek and 1.00
Tributaries, from
confluence of Vhite and
Black Rivers to Theodore
Roosevelt Lake
Apache, Canyon, Saguaro 0.03 - Annual mean of representative
and Theodore Roosevelt composite samples (taken from
Lakes surface and 2 and 5 meter depths).
annual mean
90 percentile
single sample maximum
annual mean
90 percentile
single sample maximum
annual mean
90 percentile
single sample maximum
Salt River belov
Stevard Mountain Dam
to above mouth of
Verde River
0.60 - Maximum for any set of representative composite
samples (taken from surface and 2 and 5 meter depths).
0.50 - annual mean
0.20 - single sample maximum
Little Colorado River
and Tributaries above
River Reservoir in
Greer, South Fork of
Little Colorado above
South Fork Campground;
Vater Canyon Creek
above Apache-Sitgreaves
National Forest boundary
Little Colorado River
at Apache County Road
No. 124 crossing
0.08 - annual mean
0.10 - 90 percentile
0.75 - single sample maximum
0.75 - single sample maximum
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State and Water Use
Phosphorus Criteria Values
Little Colorado River 0
above Lyraan Lake to 0
above Amity Ditch 0
diversion near Arizona
Highway 273 crossing
(applies only vhen in-
stream turbidity is less
than 50 Nephelometric
Turbidity Units).
Oak Creek Canyon and
the West Fork.
,20
,30
,75
annual mean
90 percentile
single sample maximum
0.10
0.30
0.25
annual mean
90 percentile
single sample maximum
Arkansas
All
Not specified
Nutrients - Materials stimulating algal growth shall
not be present in concentrations sufficient to cause
objectionable algal densities 01: other nuisance
aquatic vegetation. As a guideline, total phosphorus
shall not exceed 100 ug/L in streams or 50 ug/L in
lakes and reservoirs except in waters highly laden
with natural silts or color which reduce the
penetration of sunlight needed for plant
photosynthesis, or in other waters where it can be
demonstrated that algal production will not interfere
with or adversely affect designated uses and/or fish
and wildlife propagation. The Commission may
establish alternative nutrient limitations for lakes,
reservoirs and streams, and shall incorporate such
limitations into appropriate water quality management
plans.
California"
Marine Habitat, Warm
Freshwater Habitat
(Basin 3)
Cold Freshwater
Habitat, Fish
Spawning (Basin 3)
Concentrations not to be exceeded:
(Total Phosphorus)
0.2 mg/1
0.1 mg/1
Water Contact 0.05 mg/1
Recreation or Non-
contact Water Recreation
(Basin 3)
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State and Vater Use
Phosphorus Criteria Values
Colorado
Not specified
Connecticut
All
Class AA, A
Class SA
Class SB, SC
The vaters shall be free from chemical constituents in
concentrations or combinations which would be harmful
to human, animal or aquatic life for the most
sensitive and governing water use class. Criteria for
chemical constituents contained in guidelines
published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
shall be considered. In areas where fisheries are the
governing consideration and numerical limits have not
been established, bioassays may be necessary to
establish limits on toxic substances. The
recommendations for bioassay procedures contained in
"Standard Methods for the Examination, of Vater and
Wastewater" and the application factors contained in
EPA water quality guidelines shall be considered.
For surface waters classified for use as public
drinking water, the raw water sources must be
maintained at a quality as defined by criteria
developed by the U.S. EPA in accordance with the Safe
Drinking Water Act (P.A. 93-523) or the State of
Connecticut (Section 19-13-B102 of the Regulations of
Connecticut State Agencies), whichever is more
stringent, so that criteria for finished water can be
met after conventional treatment.
Phosphorus - none other than of natural origin.
None in concentrations or combinations which would be
harmful to human, animal or aquatic life or which
would make the waters unsafe or unsuitable for fish or
shellfish or their propagation, impair the
palatability of same, or impair the waters for any
other uses.
None in concentrations or combinations which would be
harmful to human, animal or aquatic life or which
would make the waters unsafe or unsuitable for fish or
shellfish or their propagation, or impair the water
for any other usage assigned to this class.
Delaware
Not specified
Nutrients - Nutrient overenrichment is recognized as a
significant problem in the surface waters of the
State. It shall be the policy of this Department to
minimize nutrient input to surface waters from any
controllable source. The types of and need for
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State and ffater Use Phosphorus Criteria Values
Florida9
nutrient controls shall be established on a
site-specific basis. Practices may include discharge
limitations, institution of best management practices,
or other measures.
Point and non-point source discharges shall not
contain those nutrients expected to cause excessive
growth of photosynthetic organisms, in concentrations
exceeding those representative of local baseflow or
shallow groundwater conditions.
All Man-induced nutrient enrichment (total nitrogen or
total phosphorus) shall be considered degradation in
relation to the provisions of section 1'-3.041 and
section 17-4.242, F.A.C.
j
Class I Not specified
Nutrients - In no case shall nutrient concentrations
of • a body of water be altered so as to cause an
imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora and
fauna.
Class II Phosphorus (elemental) - 0.1 ug/L
Nutrients - In no case shall nutrient concentrations
of a body of water be altered so as to cause an
imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora and
fauna.
Class III Phosphorus (elemental) - 0.1 ug/L (marine waters)
Nutrients - In no case shall nutrient concentrations
of a -ody of water be altered so as to cause an
imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora and
fauna.
Georgia Specific stream segments and chemical constituents for
monitoring shall be determined by the Director on the
basis of potential for water quality impacts from
pollutants from point or nonpoint waste sources.
Singularly or in combination, these constituents may
cause an adverse effect on fish propagation at levels
lower than the criteria.
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State and Water Use
Hawaii
Streams
11
Estuaries
(except Pearl Harbor)
Pearl Harbor Estuary
Embayments
Open Coastal Vaters
Phosphorus Criteria Values
Total Phosphorus (ug P/L):
Geometric Mean should not exceed 50.00 in the vet
season (Nov. 1 to Apr. 30) and 30.00 in the dry season
(May 1 to Oct. 31).
Single value not to exceed 100.00 in the vet season
and 60.00 in the dry season more than 10* of the time.
Single value not to exceed 150.00 in the vet season
and 80.00 in the dry season more than 2* of the time.
Total Phosphorus (ug P/L):
Geometric Mean should not exceed 25.00.
Single value not to exceed 50.00 more than 10* of the
time.
Single value not to exceed 75.00 more than 1% of the
time.
Total Phosphorus (ug P/L):
Geometric Mean should not exceed 60.00.
Single value not to exceed 130.00 more than 10* of the
time.
Single value not to exceed 200.00 more than 2* of the
time.
Total Phosphorus (wg P/L):
Geometric Mean should not exceed 25.00 in the vet
season* and 20.00 in the dry season**.
Single value not to exceed 50.00 in the vet season*
and 40.00 in the dry season** more than 10* of the
time.
Single value not to exceed 75.00 in the vet season*
and 60.00 in the dry season** more than 2% of the time.
*"Vet" criteria apply vhen the average fresh vater
inflow from the land equals or exceeds 1* of the
embayment volume per day.
**"Dry" criteria apply vhen the average fresh vater
inflow from the land is less than 1* of the embayment
volume per day.
Total Phosphorus (wg P/L):
Geometric Mean should not exceed 20.00 in the vet
season* and 16.00 in the dry season**.
not to exceed 40.00 in the vet season*
dry season** more than 1C* of the
Single value
and 30.00 in the
time.
Single value not to exceed 60.00 in the vet season*
and 45.00 in the dry season** more than 2* of the
time.more than 2* of the time.
*"Wet" criteria apply vhen the open coastal vaters
receive more than three million gallons per day of
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State and Water Use
Oceanic Waters
Phosphorus Criteria Values
fresh water discharge" per shoreline mile.
**"Dry11 criteria apply when the open coastal waters
receive less than three million gallons per day of
fresh water discharge per shoreline mile.
Total Phosphorus (ug P/L):
Geometric Mean should not exceed 10.00
Single value not to exceed 18.00 more than 10% of the
time.
Single value not to exceed 25.00 more than 2% of the
time.
Idaho
All
12
As a result of man-caused point or nonpoint source
discharge, waters of the State must not contain:
Excess Nutrients - Excess nutrients that can cause
visible slime growths or other nuisance aquatic
growths impairing designated or protected beneficial
uses.
Illinois13
General Use Water
Lake Michigan
Phosphorus (STORET number 00665): After December 31,
1983, Phosphorus as P shall not exceed 0.05 mg/L in
any reservoir or lake with a surface area of 8.1
hectares (20 acres) or more, or in any stream at the
point where it enters any such reservoir or lake. • For
purposes of this Section, the term "reservoir or lake
shall not include low level pools constructed in free
flowing streams or any body of water which is an
integral part of an operation which includes the
application of sludge on land. Point source
discharges which comply with Section 304.123 shall be
in compliance with this Section for purposes of
application of Section 304.105.
Phosphorus (as P) 0.007 mg/L
Indiana
All
14
Minimum Water Quality Conditions: All waters at all
times and at all places, including the mixing zone,
shall meet the minimum conditions of being free from
substances, materials, floating debris, oil or scum
attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural,
and other land use practices or other discharges:
Which are in concentrations of combinations that will
cause or contribute to the growth of aquatic plants or
algae to such a degree as to create a nuisance, be
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State and Vater Use
Phosphorus Criteria Values
unsightly or deleterious or be harmful to human,
animal, plant, or aquatic life or otherwise impair the
designated uses;
Rule 5. Phosphates; Permits for Use by Manufacturers
and Processors; Detergents. Section 1: Any
manufacturer or processor required to use detergents
containing phosphorus for cleaning plant or equipment
shall obtain a permit therefor from the Commissioner.
a) The application for the permit shall be made on a
form provided by the Commissioner and shall include as
a minimum the following:
1. Phosphorus content of the detergent by
weight and the maximum daily and monthly
average quantities used.
2. Description of the use and vhy a phosphorus
detergent is required.
3. The means of treatment that, will be
installed using the best practicable control
technology for removal of phosphorus from
the vastewater before discharge directly
into the waters of Indiana or into any sewer
or drain that enters the waters of the State
of Indiana.
b) The Commissioner may issue a permit for a period
not to exceed four (4) years, upon a clear indication
that the use of phosphorus detergents is necessary
with no adequate substitute available and that the
best practicable treatment method of removal of
phosphorus is accomplished prior to discharge of the
treated effluent. Renewal applications must be
submitted to the Commissioner at least sixty (60) days
in advance of the expiration date of the permit.
Lake Michigan, Inner
Harbor, Gary Harbor,
and Burns Harbor
East Branch of Grand
Calumet River and
Indiana Harbor Ship
Canal
Natural Spawning,
Rearing or Imprinting
Areas; Migration
Routes for Salmonid
Fishes
Total Phosphorus - 0.03 mg/L
0.04 mg/L
Total Phosphorus - 0.10 mg/L
(monthly ave.)
(Daily max.)
Plant Nutrients: Free from substances attributable to
municipal, industrial, agricultural, or other sources
in concentrations or combinations which will cause or
contribute to the growth of aquatic plants or algae in
such degree 'as to create a nuisance, be unsightly or
deleterious, or be harmful to salmonid fishes or the
natural biota.
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State and ?ater Use Phosphorus Criteria Values
Iowa15 Not specified
Kansas
All Nutrients - Artificial sources of nutrients shall not
be detrimental to the designated uses.
Aquatic Life Nutrients - The discharge of concentrations or
loadings of plant nutrients into surface vaters from
artificial sources shall be controlled to prevent
vater quality degradation that accelerates the natural
succession or replacement of biota, or which produces
undesirable quantities or kinds of aquatic life.
Kentucky
All Section 1. Nutrient Limits.
(1) In surface vater impoundments and their
tributaries vhere eutrophication problems may exist,
nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and contributing trace
element discharges vill be limited as appropriate by
the cabinet.
(2) The affected surface vaters vill be designated as
nutrient limited.
, . . 18
Louisiana
All Nutrients - The naturally occurring
nitrogen-phosphorus ratio shall be maintained.
Because regulation of nitrates and phosphates alone
may not be adequate to protect vaters form
eutrophication, no substance shall be added to any
surface vater which produces aquatic grovth to the
extent that such grovths create a public nuisance or
interfere with designated vater uses. Detailed
studies of the naturally occurring levels of the
various macro- and micronutrients vill be utilized by
the state to establish numerical limits for nutrients.
This shall not apply to those vaterbodies determined
to be intermittent or man-made as defined in the
Standards.
Maine19
Class GP-A Total phosphorus concentration shall not exceed 15 per
billion as measured in samples.taken at or near the
surface of the vater.
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State and Water Use Phosphorus Criteria Values
Class GP-B The total phosphorus concentration shall not exceed 50
parts per billion as measured in samples taken at or
near the surface of the vater.
All 1. Phosphorus - There shall be no additional
discharge of phosphorus to any lake or pond or
tributary thereto which discharge does not employ u-
best available technology for phosphorus removal.
2. Existing Discharges - Existing discharges of
phosphorus to any lake, pond or tributary thereto
shall, on or before October 1, 1976, be treated to
remove phosphorus to the maximum extent technically
feasible.
3. Phosphorus Concentrations in Tributaries to Great
Ponds - Not withstanding Sections 1. and 2. (above)
the ambient concentration for total phosphorus in all
tributaries to Great Ponds shall not exceed 50 ug/1.
?o
Maryland"^ Not specified
21
Massachusetts
All Nutrients - Shall not exceed the site-specific limits
necessary to control accelerated or cultural
eutrophication.
Control of Eutrophication - The discharge of
nutrients, primarily phosphorus or nitrogen to surface
waters will be limited or prohibited by the Division
(Massachusetts Division of Vater Pollution Control) as
necessary to prevent excessive eutrophication of such
waters. There shall be no nev or increased discharges
of nutrients into lakes and ponds, or tributaries
thereto. Existing discharges containing nutrients
which encourage eutrophication or growth of weeds or
algae shall be treated. Activities which may result
in non-point discharges of nutrients shall be
conducted in accordance with the best management
practices reasonably determined by the Division to be
necessary to preclude or minimize such discharges of
nutrients.
Michigan22
All Plant Nutrients. Rule 60. (1) Consistent with Great
Lakes protection, phosphorus which is or may readily
become available as a plant nutrient shall be
controlled from point source discharges to achieve 1
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State and Water Use
Phosphorus Criteria Values
milligram pec liter of total phosphorus as a maximum
monthly average effluent concentration unless other
limits, either higher or lower, are deemed necessary
and appropriate by the commission.
In addition to the protection provided under subrule
(1) of this rule, nutrients shall be limited to the
extent necessary to prevent stimulation of growths of
aquatic rooted, attached, suspended, and floating
plants, fungi or bacteria vhich are or may become
injurious to the designated uses of the waters of the
state.
Minnesota
23
Mississippi
Missouri25
26
24
Montana
Nebraska
27
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
28
Nevada'
Class A
Class B
Total phosphate must not exceed 0.15 mg/L in any
stream at the point where it enters any reservoir or
lake, not 0.075 mg/L in any reservoir or lake, nor
0.30 mg/L in streams and other flowing waters.
Total phosphates - 0.3 mg/L
Various Control Point
locations
Lake Tahoe
Total Phosphates (PO.)
Annual Average - 0.03 to 1.0 mg/L
Single Value - 0.04 to 2.0 mg/L
Single values and annual average values shown here
represent the range of criteria presented for all
control points (sampling sites) in Nevada. Please
refer to tables in section 445.134.
Soluble Phosphorus - 7.0 ug/L (Annual Average)
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State and Water Use
Phosphorus Criteria Values
Nev Hampshire
Class A
Class B and C
29
Class A, B, and C
Streams and Saline
Waters
Lakes and Ponds
All
no phosphorus unless naturally occurring
None (phosphorus) in such concentrations that would
impair any usage assigned to the specific class
involved. Where treatment to remove phosphorus is
required under this rule, such treatment shall remove
phosphorus to the extent feasible.
There shall be no phosphorus in such concentrations
that vould impair any usage assigned to the specific
class involved. Where treatment to remove phosphorus
is required under this rule, such treatment shall
remove phosphorus to the extent feasible.
There shall be no new point discharges of water
containing phosphorus to lakes or ponds. In addition,
there shall be no new discharge of wastewater
containing phosphorus to tributaries of lakes or ponds
that vould encourage eutrophication or growth of weeds
or algae in such lakes and ponds.
Any point discharge of wastewater existing as of the
effective date of these rules and containing
phosphorus in concentrations which encourage
eutrophication or growth of weeds or algae, shall be
treated to remove such phosphorus to the maximum
extent feasible.
New Jersey
Lakes (FW2)
30
Streams
Phosphorus as total P shall not exceed 0.05 in any
lake, pond or reservoir, or in a tributary at the
point where it enters such bodies of water, except
where site-specific criteria are developed pursuant to
N.J.A.C. 7:9-4.5(g)3.
Except as necessary to satisfy the more stringent
criteria in paragraph above (Lakes) or where
site-specific criteria are developed pursuant to
N.J.A.C. 7:9-4.5(g)3, phosphorus as total P shall not
exceed 0.1 in any stream, unless it can be
demonstrated that total P is not limiting nutrient and
will not otherwise render the waters unsuitable for
the designated uses.
Nev Mexico
All
31
Plant Nutrients from other than natural causes shall
not be present in concentrations which will cause
undesirable productivity in receiving waters.
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State and ffater Use Phosphorus Criteria Values
Coldvater Fishery Total phosphorus - 0.1 mg/L
(High Quality)
As the need arises, the State shall determine, for
specified stream segments or relevant portions
thereof, whether .the limiting nutrient for the growth
of aquatic plants is nitrogen or phosphorus. Upon
such a determination, the waters in question shall be
exempt from the standard for the nutrient found to be
not "limiting. Until such a determination is made,
standards for both nutrients shall apply. If
co-limitation is found, the waters: in question shall
be exempt from the total inorganic nitrogen standard.
The State shall make available, upon request, a list
of those waters for which the limiting nutrient has
been determined.
Nev York32
Inter. Boundary Waters Concentrations should be limited to the extent
necessary to prevent nuisance growths of algae, weeds
and slimes that are or may become injurious to any
beneficial water use.
North Carolina
Nutrient Sensitive No increase in nutrients over background levels unless
Waters it is shown to the satisfaction oi: the director that
the increase:
1. is the result of natural variations; or
2. will not endanger human health, safety or welfare
and that preventing the increase would cause a serious
economic hardship without equal or greater benefit to
the public.
North Dakota34
Class I, IA, II Phosphates (P)(Diss) - 0.1 mg/L
and III Streams
The standards for nitrates (N) and phosphates (P) are
intended as interim guideline limits. Since each
stream or lake has unique characteristics which
determine the levels of these constituents that will
cause excessive plant growth (eutrophication), the
department reserves the right to review these
standards after additional study and to set specific
limitations on any waters of the state. However, in
no case shall the standard for nitrates (N) exceed ten
mg/L for any waters used as a municipal or domestic
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State and Water Use
All Lakes
Phosphorus Criteria Values
drinking water supply.
Generally, the parameter limitations designated for
Class I streams shall apply to all classified lakes.
PO, as P - 0.025 mg/L
Ohio35
Uarmvater, Exceptional
Varmvater, Seasonal
Salmonid, Coldvater,
Nuisance Prevention,
Public Water Supply,
and Lake Erie
Agricultural
Total phosphorus as P shall be limited to the extent
necessary to prevent nuisance growths of algae, weeds,
and slimes that result in a violation of the water
quality criteria set forth in Chapter 3745-1-04 (E) of
the Ohio Administrative Code or, for public water
supplies, that result in taste or odor problems. In
areas where such nuisance growths exist, phosphorus
discharges from point sources determined significant
by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency shall not
exceed a daily average of one milligram per liter as
total P, or such stricter requirements as may be
imposed by the Ohio environmental protection agency in
accordance with the International Joint Commission
(United States - Canada agreement).
This criterion is determined by the Aquatic Life
Habitat or the Nuisance Prevention use designation
assigned to the stream segment.
Oklahoma
36
Not specified
Oregon
37
Not specified
Pennsylvania
38
Not specified
Rhode Island
39
None in such concentrations that would impair any
usages specifically assigned to said Class. New
discharges of wastes containing phosphates will not be
permitted into or immediately upstream of lakes or
ponds. Phosphates shall be removed from existing
discharges to the extent that such removal is or may
become technically and reasonably feasible.
South Carolina40
Class AA and SAA
Standards narrative - Natural conditions will be
maintained and protected as feasible, within the
Departments statutory authority.
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State and Water Use Phosphorus Criteria Values
South Dakota Not specified
Tennessee Not specified
Texas Nutrient Parameters. Generally applicable criteria
for nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and trace elements
cannot be established because sufficient information
on nutrient cycling in Texas waters and cause-effect
relationships between nutrient concentrations and
water quality is not presently available.
Site-specific nutrient criteria and/or permit
limitation, where appropriate, will be established as
information becomes available and after public
participation and proper hearing. Nutrients form
permitted discharges or other controllable sources
shall not cause excessive growth ,of aquatic vegetation
which impairs an existing of designated use.
Utah44
2A, 2B, 3A, 3B Phosphate as P - 0.05 mg/L
Used as a pollution indicator only. Where values
exceed 0.05 (0.25 for lakes) further investigations
should be conducted.
Vermont45 Nutrients - No increase which would accelerate
eutrophication or result in concentrations that may
stimulate the growth of aquatic plants, fungi or
bacteria, in a manner which has an undue adverse
effect on any beneficial values or uses.
Virginia46
Nutrient Rich Waters Effluent not to exceed 2 mg/1.
Washington Not specified
Vest Virginia48 Not specified
49
Wisconsin Not specified
Wyoming50 Not specified
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State and ¥ater Use
51
American Samoa
All Fresh Water
Open Coastal
Nearshore Waters
Oceanic Water
Phosphorus Criteria Values
Total phosphorous median not to exceed - 150 ug P/L
Not to exceed 250 ug P/L 10X of the time
Not to exceed 350 ug P/L 2* of the time
Total phosphorus median not to exceed - 15 ug P/L
Not to exceed 30 ug P/L 10* of the time
Not to exceed 50 ug P/L 2X of the time
Total phosphorous median not to exceed - 11 ug P/L
Not to exceed 23 ug P/L 102 of the time
Not to exceed 35 ug P/L 2% of the time
Criteria values for specific water bodies can be found
in Water Quality Standards for American Samoa.
District of Columbia52 Not specified
Guam53
M-l
M-2, S-l
M-3, S-2, S-3
Orthophosphate (PO.-P) shall not exceed;
0.025 mg/L
0.05 mg/L
0.10 mg/L
N. Mariana Islands
AA
A •
1, 2
54
Puerto Rico
55
Trust Territory
AA, A
B
1,2
56
Total phosphorus shall not exceed:
0.026 mg/L
0.050 mg/L
0.100 mg/L
Total Phosphorus should not exceed 1 ppm, except vhen
it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board
that a higher value of total phosphorus in combination
with prevailing nitrogen derived nutrients will not
contribute to eutrophic conditions in downstream
reservoirs or surface water segments.
Total Phosphorus as P shall not exceed:
0.025 mg/L
0.500 mg/L
0.200 mg/L
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State and Water Use Phosphorus Criteria Values
Fresh waters entering 0.050 mg/L
lakes or reservoirs
(at point of entry)
and lakes and reservoirs
Virgin Islands Phosphorous as total P shall not exceed 50 ug/L in any
coastal vaters.
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