United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
•Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-88/016
September 1988,
Water
Cyanide
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
from the State's Water Pollution Control Agency or its
equivalent.
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: PBRQ-14.1
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INTRODUCTION
This digest is compiled to provide general information to the public as well
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 waters. The water quality standards
program is implemented by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency where
responsibility for providing water quality recommendations, approving
State-adopted standards for interstate waters, evaluating adherence to the
standards, and overseeing enforcement of standards compliance, has been
mandated by Congress.
Standards, a nationwide strategy for surface water quality management, contain
three major elements: the use (recreation, drinking water, fish and wildlife
propagation, industrial, or agricultural) to be made of the navigable water;
criteria to protect these uses; and an antidegradation statement to protect
existing high quality waters, from degradation by the addition of pollutants.
Guidance for the development of standards by individual States is contained in
two EPA documents entitled Water Quality Standards Handbook (1983) and Quality
Criteria for Water (1986).
Cyanide and compounds of cyanide are frequent pollutants found near areas of
high industrial activity. These compounds are also found as metabolic
intermediates in plant and animal metabolism. Some compounds of cyanide
exhibit a marked distinction in toxic effects. Fluctuations in sunlight, pH,
photosynthesis, and respiration of aquatic plant life, affect the formation,
stability, . and toxicity of hydrogen cyanide, which is the most toxic form for
aquatic life. Therefore, since many chemical and-physical conditions will
determine the species of cyanide present in water, the criterion -for
protection of aquatic life from the toxic effects of all the various forms is
based on the total species available.
The 1986 Quality Criteria for Water recommends the following:
Freshwater Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses:
acute 22 ug/1
chronic 5.2 ug/1
Saltwater Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses:
acute 1.0 ug/1
Human Health:
200 ug/1 drinking water
Since water quality standards are revised from time to time, following
procedures set forth in the Clean Water Act, individual entries in this digest
may be superseded. This digest will be updated periodically. Because this
publication is intended for use only as a general information reference, the
reader needs to refer to the current approved water quality standards to
obtain the latest information for special purposes and applications. These can
be obtained from the State water pollution control agencies or the EPA
Regional Offices.
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REFERENCES
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.
12 Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Rules and Regulations, Title 1,
Chapter 2, "Water Quality Standards and Wastewater Treatment
Requirements", 1980.
25 Missouri Water Quality Standards, 10 CSR 20-7.031, Rule of Department of
Natural Resources: Division 20 - Clean Water Commission.
31 Water Quality Standards for Interstate and Intrastate Streams in New
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.
42 Tennessee's Water Quality Criteria and Stream Use Classifications for
Interstate and Intrastate Streams, Tennessee Water Quality Control Board:
Department of Health and Environment, 1987.
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.
46 Virginia Water Quality Standards, State Water Control Board, 1987.
51 Water Quality Standards for American Samoa, 1984, pp. 16-18.
52 Water Quality Standards of the District of Columbia, Chapter 42,
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, 1985, Section 4206.1.
53 Revised Guam Water Quality Standards, Guam Environmental Protection
Agency, 1984, pp. 7, 12-13.
54 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Marine and Fresh Water Quality
Standards, Commonwealth Register, Vol. 8 No. 5, 1986, pp. 4464-4468.
55 Puerto Rico Water Quality Standards Regulation, Environmental Quality
Board, 1983.
56 Marine and Fresh Water Quality Standard Regulations, Trust Territory,
1986, pp. 5, 8-10.
57 Water Quality Standards for Coastal Waters of the Virgin Islands, Title
12, Chapter 7, Subchapter 186, 1985, p. 263.
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ENVIRONMENT REPORTER, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. Washington, D.C.
20037
1 Pages 701:1002, July 9, 1982, 701:1003-1004, June 26, 1981, 701:1005-1010,
September 5, 1980
2 Pages 706:1005-1009, November 7, 1986
3 Pages 711:1002-1003, 1018, 10.21, February 7, 1986
4 Pages 716:1004-1005, August 30, 1985
6 Pages 726:1005-1006, March 22, 1985, 726:1010, August 22, 1986
7 Pages 731:1002, 1006-1007, May 14, 1982
8 Pages 736:1001, 1006-1010, March 28, 1986
9 Pages 746:1010.1-1010.2, September 5, 1986, 746:1011-1014, January 21, 1983
10 Pages 751:0504-0505, December 27, 1985
11 Page 756:1002, September 20, 1985
13 Pages 766:0505, 0514, March 28, 1986, 766:0508, 0521, May 25, 1984,
766:0516, December 7, 1984
14 Pages 771:1002, 1013-1017, January • 10, 1986,.771:1003-1006, August 10,
1984, 771:1006.3, November 29, 1985, 771:1007-1009, December 26, 1980
15 Pages 776:1005-1006, February 13, 1987
16 Pages 781:1011-1012, March 27, 1987
17 Pages 786:1007-1010, November 29, 1985
18 Pages 791:1005-1006, January 18, 1985
19 Pages 796:0104-0109, 0127-0128, April 18, 1986
20 Page 801:1002, April 19, 1985
21- Page 806:1002, June 21, 1985
22 Pages 811:1003-1004, February 13, 1987
23 Pages 816:1003-1010, June 25, 1982
24 Pages 821:1002-1003, October 25, 1985
26 Pages 831:1004-1009, April 19, 1985
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27 Pages 836:1003-1006, March 27, 1987
28 Pages 841:1001, 1011, 1013, 1087, February 22, 1985, 841:1005, 1008, 1025,
1065, June 29, 1984
29 Pages 846:1002-1004, 1008-1009, October 5, 1984
30 Pages 851:1004, 1009-1010, 1017-1018, 1021, April 11, 1986
32 Pages 861:1007-1012, 1018, 1032-1036, November 29, 1985
33 Pages 866:1006, December 27, 1985, 866:1009-1013, August 29, 1986
34 Pages 871:1002-1004, June 7, 1985
36 Pages 881:1003-1008, 1014, September 26, 1986
37 Pages 886:1006-1047, May 9, 1986
38 Pages 891:1004-1006, August 9, 1985
39 Pages 901:1002-1005, 1012-1016, August 9, 1985
40 Pages 906:1004, 1006-1009, November 29, 1985
41 Pages 911:1003-1006, March 22, 1985
45 Page 931:1006, March 22, 1985
47 Pages 941:1003-1005, October 21, 1983
48 Pages 946:1002, 1008, August 10, 1984
49 Page 951:1002, March 13, 1987
50 Page 956:1005, July 5, 1985
52 Pages 741:1002-1003, March 28, 1986
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Alabama
All
All
Public Water Supply
Swimming and Other
Whole Body Water-
Sports
Shellfish Harvesting
Fish and Wildlife
Agricultural &
Industrial
Not specified
Minimum conditions narrative: State waters shall be
free from substances attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes or other wastes in concentrations or
combinations which are toxic or harmful to human,
animal or aquatic life to the extent commensurate with
the designated usage of such waters.
Toxic substances narrative: Only such amounts,
whether alone or in combination with other substances
as will not render the waters unsafe or unsuitable as
a source of water supply for drinking or food-
processing purposes, or injurious to fish, wildlife
and aquatic life, or adversely affect the aesthetic
value of waters for any use under this classification.
Toxic substances narrative: Only such amounts, whether
alone or in combination with other substances or
wastes, as will not render the water unsafe or
unsuitable for swimming and water-contact sports; be
injurious to fish, wildlife and aquatic life or, where
applicable, shrimp and crabs; impair the palatability
of fish, or where applicable, shrimp and crabs; impair
the waters for any other usage established for this
classification or unreasonably affect the aesthetic
value of waters.for any use under this classification.
Toxic substances narrative: Only such amounts,
whether alone or in combination with other substances,
as will not be injurious to fish and aquatic life,
including shrimp and crabs; affect the marketability
of fish and shellfish, including shrimp and crabs;
exceed one-tenth of the 96-hour median tolerance limit
for fish, aquatic life or shellfish, including shrimp
and crabs.
Toxic substances narrative: Only such amounts,
whether alone or in combination with other substances,
as will not be injurious to fish and aquatic life,
including shrimp and crabs in estuarine or salt waters
or the propagation thereof; not to exceed one-tenth of
the 96-hour median tolerance limit for fish and
aquatic life, including shrimp and crabs in salt and
estuarine waters, except that other limiting
concentrations, may be used when factually justified
and approved by the Commission.
Toxic substances narrative: Only such amounts as will
not render the waters unsuitable for agricultural
irrigation, livestock watering, industrial cooling,
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State and Eater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
industrial process water supply purposes, and fish
survival, nor interfere with downstream water uses.
Industrial Operations Toxic substances narrative: Only such amounts as will
not render the waters unsuitable for industrial
cooling and industrial process water supply purposes,
nor interfere with downstream water uses.
Navigation Toxic, substances narrative: Only such amounts as will
not render the waters unsuitable for agricultural
irrigation, livestock watering, industrial cooling,
and industrial process water supply purposes, where
applicable, nor interfere with downstream water uses.
Alaska2
All Not specified
I. Fresh Water
(A) ¥ater Supply
(i) Drinking, Toxic substances narrative: Shall not exceed Alaska
Culinary & Food Drinking Water Standards or EPA Quality Criteria for
Processing Water.
(ii) Agricultural Toxic substances narrative: Same as I.(A)(i) where
incl. Irrigation and contact with a product destined for subsequent.human
Stock Watering consumption is present. Same as I. (C) or FWPCA Water
Quality Criteria(WQC/FWPCA) as applicable to
substances for stockwaters. Concentrations for
irrigation waters shall not exceed (WQC/FWPCA) or WQC
1972.
(iii) Aquaculture Toxic substances narrative: Shall not individually or
in combination exceed 0.01 times the lowest measured
96-hour LCcQ for life stages of species identified by
the department as being the most sensitive,
biologically important to the situation or exceed
criteria cited in EPA Quality Criteria for Water or
Alaska Drinking Water Standards whichever
concentration is less. Substances shall not be
present or exceed concentrations which individually or
in combination impart undesirable odor or taste to
fish or other aquatic organisms as determined by
either bioassay or organoleptic tests.
(iv) Industrial, Toxic substances narrative: Substances shall not be
Including Any Water present which pose hazards to worker contact.
Supplies Used In Asso-
ciation With A Manu-
facturing Or Production
Enterprise (other than
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State and Water Use' Cyanide Criteria Values
Food Processing), In-
cluding Mining, Placer
Mining, Energy Produc- .
tion Or Development.
(B) Water Recreation Toxic substances narrative: Same as I.(A)(i).
(i) Contact
Recreation.
(ii) Secondary Toxic'substances narrative: Substances shall not be
Recreation be present which pose hazards to incidental human
contact.
(C) Growth And Propa- Toxic substances narrative: Shall not individually or
gation Of Fish, Shell- in combination exceed 0.01 times the lowest measured
fish, Other Aquatic 96-hour LC5Q for life stages of species identified by
Life, And Wildlife by the department as being the most sensitive,
Including Waterfowl biologically important to the location, or exceed
And Furbearers criteria cited in EPA Quality Criteria for Water or
Alaska Drinking Water Standards whichever
concentration is less. Substances shall not be
present or exceed concentrations which individually or
in combination impart undesirable odor or taste to
fish or other aquatic organisms as determined by
either bioassay or organoleptic tests.
II. Marine Water
(A) Water Supply
(i) Aquaculture Toxic substances narrative: Same as I.(A)(iii).
*
(ii) Seafood Toxic substances narrative: Shall not exceed EPA
Processing Quality Criteria for Water as applicable to the
substance.
(iii) Industrial, Toxic substances narrative: Same as I.(A)(iv).
Including Any Water
Supplies Used In Assoc-
iation With A Manu-
facturing Or Production
Enterprise (other than
Food Processing) Includ-
ing Mining, Placer
Mining, Energy Pro-
duction Or Development.
(B) Water Recreation Toxic substances narrative: Shall not exceed EPA,
(i) Contact Quality Criteria for Water as applicable to
Recreation constituent.
(ii) Secondary Toxic substances narrative: Same as I.(B)(ii).
Recreation
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State and ¥ater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
(C) Grovth And Propa- Toxic substances narrative: Same as I.(C).
gation Of Fish, Shell-
fish, Aquatic Life And
Wildlife Including Sea-
birds, ¥aterfowl And
Furbearers.
(D) Harvesting For Toxic substances narrative: Same as I.(C) but
Consumption Of Raw excluding the phrase "or Alaska Drinking Water
Mollusks Or Other Raw Standards."
Aquatic Life
3
Arizona
Domestic, Recreation, 0.200 mg/1
Agricultural Live-
stock Watering
Agricultural Irrigation No standard
Aquatic and Wildlife 0.020 mg/1
All Effluent 0.2 mg/1
Dominated Waters
All Toxic substances narrative: . All surface waters shall
be free from toxic, corrosive, or other deleterious
substances attributable to domestic or industrial
waste or other controllable sources at levels or in
combinations sufficient to be toxic to human, animal,
plant, or aquatic life. With respect to fish
toxicity, receiving waters outside mixing zones shall
not have a concentration of toxic materials exceeding
1/10 of the 96-hour LC50, where the bioassay is
conducted using fish inhabiting the receiving waters
and where water quality conditions(temperature,
hardness, pH, dissolved oxygen, etc.) approximate
those of the stream or lake as closely as practical.
Compliance shall be indicated when survival of test
group organisms is not less than that of the control
group organisms exposed to an appropriate water sample.
a. No person shall cause toxic substances to be
present at concentrations which interfere with
designated protected uses.
b. Compliance with a. (above) shall be
determined on a site-specific basis for each discharge.
c. To determine compliance with this Section and
other water quality standards, and to determine
whether toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic,
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
corrosive or otherwise deleterious substances
attributable to pollutants, effluent, sewage or waste
in concentrations or combinations which interfere
directly or indirectly with protected uses are being
discharged, the Department may require chemical,
physical, biological, radiological or other testing by
dischargers.
Arkansas
All
All
California
Domestic Water Supply
Ocean Waters only
All
Not specified
Toxic materials shall not be present in receiving
waters, after mixing, in such quantities as to be
toxic to human, animal, plant or aquatic life or to
interfere with the normal propagation, growth and
survival of the indigenous aquatic biota. Within the
mixing zone there may be a zone of initial dilution
which exceeds the acute toxicity. In no instance
shall the entire mixing zone be acutely toxic.
Compounds known to be persistent, cumulative,
carcinogenic or to exhibit synergism with other waste
or stream components shall be addressed on a
case-by-case basis. Permitting of all toxic materials
shall be in accordance with the toxic'implementation
strategy found in the Continuing Planning Process.
0.2 mg/1
0.005 mg/1 - 6-month Median
0.02 mg/1 - Daily Maximum
0.05 mg/1 - Instantaneous Maximum
All waters shall be maintained free of toxic
substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or
that produce detrimental physiological responses in
human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. Compliance
with this objective will be determined by use of
indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity,
population density, growth anomalies, bioassays of
appropriate duration or other appropriate methods as
specified by the Regional Board.
The survival of aquatic life in surface waters
subjected to a waste discharge, or other controllable
water quality factors, shall not be less than that for
the same water body in areas unaffected by the waste
discharge, or when necessary for other control water
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State and Uater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
that is consistent with the requirements for
"experimental water" as described in "Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water and Wastewater", latest
edition. As a minimum, compliance with this objective
as stated in the previous sentence shall be evaluated
with a 96-hour bioassay.
In addition, effluent limits based upon acute
bioassays of effluents will be prescribed where
appropriate, additional numerical receiving water
objectives for specific toxicants will be established
as sufficient data become available, and source
control of toxic substances will be encouraged.
Colorado
Aquatic Life
Class 1 Cold and Warm
Water Biota
Agriculture
Drinking Water Supply
Free Cyanide:
0.005 mg/1 1-day avg.
0.2 mg/1 1-day avg.
0.2 mg/1 1-day avg.
All
Except where authorized by permits, BMP's or plans of
operation approved by the Division, State waters shall
be free from substances attributable to human-caused
point source or nonpoint source discharges in amounts,
concentrations or combinations which are harmful to
beneficial uses or toxic to humans, animals, plants,
or aquatic life.
Connecticut
All
All
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: General Policy 11. The
waters 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 Water and
Wastewater" and the application factors contained in
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Coastal And Marine
Water Uses
(Classes SA, SB, & SC)
EPA vater quality guidelines shall be considered.
For surface waters classified 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.
Toxic substances narrative: 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. (See General
Policy 11. above)
Delaware
All Not specified
General Stream Toxic substances narrative: All surface waters of the
Criteria State shall be free from substances attributable to
wastes of industrial, municipal, agricultural or other
anthropogenic origin, .such as any pollutants,
including those of a toxic nature, that may interfere
with attainment of designated uses of the water,
impart undesirable odors, tastes, or colors to the
water or to aquatic life found therein, endanger
public health, or result in dominance of nuisance
species.
Stream Quality Criteria Toxic substances narrative: None in concentrations
(General Criteria For that may interfere with attainment of designated uses
of the water, endanger public health, or result in
dominance of nuisance species. The following EPA
publications, or any other sources deemed acceptable
by the Department, may be used as guidelines for
applying these Standards to discharges in the State:
(1) Water Quality Criteria 1972 (March, 1973),
(2) Quality Criteria For Water (July, 1976),
(3) Water Quality Criteria Documents, (EPA-440/5-
80-015 through 5-80-079), published in 1980,
(4) Water Quality Criteria Documents, (EPA-440/5-
84-028 through 5-84-033, and 5-85-001), published in
1985.
Freshwater and Salt-
water Streams)
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Public Water Supply
ERES Waters
Waters shall be free from substances (except natural
impurities) that, alone or in combination with other
substances, result in concentrations of toxic
substances in the treated water that may be harmful to
human health. The EPA Water Quality Criteria
Documents, (EPA-A40/5-80-015 through 5-80-079)
published in 1980, (or other source's as determined by
the Department) shall be used as guidelines in the
determination of acceptable concentrations.
Toxic substances narrative: Shall not exceed natural
levels.
(ERES = Exceptional Recreational or Ecological
Significance)
Florida'
All Surface Waters
All
All
5.0 ug/1
Minimum criteria for surface waters: All surface
waters of the State shall at all times at all places
be free from:
Domestic, industrial, agricultural, or other
man-induced non-thermal components of discharges
which, alone or in combination with other substances
or in combination with other components of discharges
(whether thermal or non-thermal);
Are acutely toxic; or
Are present in concentrations which are
carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic to human
beings or to significant, locally occurring,'
wildlife or aquatic species; or
Pose a serious danger to the public health,
safety, or welfare.
General criteria for toxic substances (applied to all
surface waters except within zones of mixing):
Substances in concentrations which injure, are
chronically toxic to, or produce adverse physiological
or behavioral response in humans, animals, or plants -
none shall be present.
Georgia
All
All
10
Instream concentrations shall not exceed 3.5 ug/1
except within established mixing zones.
Toxic substances narrative: All waters shall be free
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Drinking Water
Supplies
Recreation, Fishing,
Propagation Of Fish,
Shellfish, Game And
Other Aquatic Life.
Agricultural
Industrial
Navigation
from toxic substances discharged, from municipalities,
industries or other sources in amounts, concentrations
or combinations which are harmful to humans, animals
or aquatic life.
Toxic substances narrative: No material or substance
in such concentration that, after treatment, would
exceed . the requirements of the Environmental
Protection Division and the latest edition of Federal
Drinking Water Standards.
Toxic wastes narrative: None in concentrations that
would harm man, fish and game or other beneficial
aquatic life.
Toxic substance narrative: None in concentrations
that would interfere with or adversely affect uses for
general agricultural purposes or would prevent fish
survival.
Toxic substance narrative: None in concentrations
that would prevent fish survival or interfere with
legitimate and beneficial industrial uses.
Toxic substance narrative: None in concentrations
that would damage vessels, prevent fish survival or
otherwise interfere with commercial navigation.
Hawaii
All
All
11
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: All waters shall be free
of substances attributable to domestic, industrial, or
other controllable sources as follows: toxic
substances at levels or combinations sufficient to be
toxic or harmful to human, animal, plant or aquatic
life or in. amounts sufficient to interfere with any
beneficial use of the water.
As a minimum, a phytoplankton bioassay test or a
96-hour bioassay shall be required. Survival of test
organisms shall not be less than that in controls
which utilize appropriate experimental water.
Idaho12
All
Domestic Water Supply
Not specified
Max. allowable concentration - 0.2 mg/1
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State and ffater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
The following general water quality standards will
apply to waters of the State, both surface an.d
underground, in addition to the water quality
standards set forth for specifically classified
waters. As a result of man-caused point or nonpoint
source discharge, waters of the State must not
contain:
.01
2003,19.)
Hazardous Materials:
_ (see
found to
Section 01-
be of public
in concentrations
health significance or to adversely affect designated
or protected beneficial uses.
.02
2003,07.)
Deleterious Materials; (see Section 01-
in concentrations that impair designated or
protected beneficial uses without being hazardous.
13
Illinois
General Use
0.025 mg/1
Toxic substances narrative: Any substance toxic to
aquatic life shall not exceed one-tenth of the 96-hour
median tolerance limit (96-hr. TL ) for native fish or
essential fish food organisms, "except for US EPA
registered pesticides approved for aquatic application
and applied pursuant to specified conditions.
Secondary Contact and 0.10 mg/1
Indigenous Aquatic Life
Lake Michigan
Effluent Standards
Sewer Discharge
Criteria
0.025 mg/1
0.10 mg/1
NO person shall cause or allow the concentration of
cyanide in any effluent to exceed the above level,
subject to the averaging rules contained in Section
304.104(a).
Section 304.201 Calumet Treatment Plant Cyanide
Discharges
The general effluent standard of section 304.124
does not apply to cyanide discharged from the Calumet
Treatment Plant of Metropolitan Sanitary District of
Greater Chicago. Instead it must meet the following
effluent standard, subject to the averaging rule of
Section 304.104(a): 0.15 mg/1
Section 307.104
(a) No waste to any public sewer system shall
contain more than 10 mg/1 total cyanide provided any
sample tested shall not release more than 2 mg/1 of
cyanide when tested at a pH of 4.5 and at a
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State and ¥ater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
temperature of 66 C (150 F) for a period
minutes', except as permitted by paragraph (b).
of 30
(b) Upon application by a county, municipality,
sanitary district or public utility and approval by
the Agency, based upon determination by the Agency
that no violation of the effluent criteria of this
chapter vill result and that no hazard to workers in
such .sewage works will result, limited additional
amounts of cyanide exceeding the standards in
paragraph (a) may be discharged to the sewage works of
such county, sanitary district, municipality or public
utility. . .
(c) Nothing in this Section shall be construed
as limiting the authority of any county, municipality,
sanitary district, or public utility to impose any
more stringent standards or limitations on cyanide
discharges to its sewage works.
Indiana
All
All
14
Aquatic Life
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: All waters at all times
and at all places, including the mixing zone , shall
meet the minimum conditions of being free from
substances attributable to municipal, industrial,
agricultural, and other land use practices or other
discharges which are in amounts sufficient to injure,
be acutely toxic to or otherwise produce serious
adverse physiological responses in humans, animals,
aquatic life or plants. As a guideline, toxic
substances should be limited to the 96-hour median
lethal concentration (LC50) for biota significant to
the indigenous aquatic community or other
representative organisms. This subsection shall not
apply to the chemical control of aquatic plants or
animals when that control is subject to approval by
the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as
provided by the Fish and Wildlife Act (1C 1971,
14-2-1).
At all times, all waters outside of mixing zones shall
be free of substances in concentrations which on the
basis of available scientific data are believed to be
sufficient to injure, be chronically toxic to, or be
carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic to humans,
animals, aquatic life, or plants.
These standards are applicable at
waters outside of the mixing zone:
any point in the
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State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Potable Supply
Ohio River Main Stem
and the Interstate
Portion Of The Wabash
River
Toxic substances narrative: Concentrations shall not
exceed one-tenth of the 96-hour median lethal
concentration for important indigenous aquatic species
or other representative organisms.
Contaminants which are known to be bioaccumulative and
toxic, on the basis 'of available scientific data,
shall not be present in concentrations which would
result in the bioaccumulation or bioconcentration of
such contaminants or their degradation products in
important indigenous aquatic species to Federal Food
and Drug Administration action levels or levels
producing deleterious effects prohibited in subsection
(a).
Chemical substances narrative: The chemical
constituents in the waters shall not be present after
conventional treatment in such levels as to prevent
meeting the Drinking Water Standards adopted by the
Board.
0.025 mg/1
Lake Michigan and Con- Not to exceed 0.01 mg/1 at any time
tiguous Harbor Areas
Toxic substances narrative: Concentrations shall not
exceed one-tenth of the 96-hour median lethal
concentration (LC-Q) for important indigenous aquatic
species and those artificially propagated by the
Indiana Department of Natural Resources. More
stringent application factors shall be used when
justified on the basis of available evidence and
approved by the Board after public notice and
opportunity for a hearing.
Concentrations of organic contaminants which can be
demonstrated to be persistent, to have a. tendency to
bioconcentrate in the aquatic biota, and are likely to
be toxic on the basis of available scientific
evidence, shall be limited as determined by the
Commissioner after public notice and an opportunity
for a hearing.
Grand Calumet River;
Indiana Harbor
V. Branch of River
0.1 mg/1 (total)
E. Branch and Harbor
0.05 mg/1 (total)
Toxic substances narrative: Concentrations shall not
exceed one-tenth of the 96-hour median lethal
concentration (LC,-0) for important indigenous aquatic
species. More stringent application factors shall be
used, when justified, on the basis of available
-17-
-------
State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
scientific evidence and approved by the Board after
public notice and 'opportunity for a hearing.
Organic contaminants which can be demonstrated to be
persistent, to have . a tendency to bioconcentrate in
the aquatic biota, and are likely to be toxic on the
basis of available scientific evidence, shall not be
present in concentrations which would result in the
bioaccumulation or bioconcentration of such
contaminants or their degradation products in
important indigenous aquatic species to Federal Food
and Drug Administration action levels or levels which
on the basis of available scientific evidence are
believed to be sufficient to injure, be chronically
toxic to, or be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or
teratogenic to humans, animals, or plants.
3.5 ug/1 (24-hr, ave. cone.)
Natural Spawning, Rear- 52 ug/1 (max.)
ing or Imprinting Areas;
Migration Routes for [Free; HCN + CN- as CN]
Salmonid Fishes
Iowa15
Wildlife, Fish, Aquatic 0.005 mg/1
And Semiaquatic Life,
Secondary Contact Toxic substances narrative: All substances toxic or
(Class B) , detrimental to aquatic life shall be limited to
non-toxic or non-detrimental concentrations in surface
water.
Potable Vater Supply
(Class C)
All
0.02 mg/1
Toxic substances narrative: All substances toxic to
humans or detrimental to treatment process shall be
limited to non-toxic or non-detrimental concentrations
in the surface water.
Toxic substances narrative: All water-s, at all times,
at all places shall be free from substances
attributable to wastewater discharges or agricultural
practices in concentrations or combinations which are
toxic or harmful to human, animal, or plant life.
Kansas
All
All
16
Not specified
General criteria: All surface waters shall be free,
at all times, from the harmful effects of substances
that originate from artificial sources and that
produce any public health hazards or nuisance
conditions, or impairment of uses. The harmful
-18-
-------
State and Vater Use
Aquatic Life
Domestic Vater Supply
Consumptive Recreation
Cyanide Criteria Values
effects may result from any concentration of a
substance that causes toxic effects, alone or in
combination vith other artificial or natural
substances. Such substances shall be limited to
concentrations in the receiving water that will not be
harmful to human, animal, or plant life.
Toxic substances narrative:
(ii) The waters of the state shall not be toxic as a
result of the effects of substances originating from
artificial sources, whether alone or in combination
with other artificial or natural substances.
(iii) Criteria for the protection of predators, in
terms of toxic levels in fish, published in "Vater
Quality Criteria" (National Academy of Engineering,
1973), which is hereby adopted by reference, shall be
used as guidelines in assessing toxicity due to
bioaccumulation.
(iv) When criteria for single compounds have not been
published or are incomplete, or when complex mixtures
can result in interactions among substances, the
department shall utilize laboratory and field
bioassessment methods and procedures to establish
site-specific water quality criteria.
Any concentration of a substance from artificial
sources that, alone or in combination with other
artificial or natural substances, causes toxic effects
on humans shall be limited to non-harmful
concentrations.
Substances that can bioaccumulate through
bioconcentration or biomagnification to toxic levels
in aquatic life, semiaquatic life or wildlife consumed
by humans shall be limited in surface waters to
concentrations that will result in no harm to humans
upon consumption. FDA action levels defined in K.A.R.
28-16-28b(b)(19) for toxic substances in fish flesh,
which are hereby adopted by reference, shall be used
as guidelines to determine protection of this use.
Kentucky
All
17
Surface waters shall not be aesthetically or otherwise
degraded by substances that injure, be toxic to or
produce adverse physiological or behavioral responses
in humans, animals, fish, and other aquatic life.
-19-
-------
State and ffater Use
Warmvater Aquatic
Habitat, Coldwater
Aquatic Habitat
Mixing Zones
Cyanide Criteria Values
Toxic substances narrative:
1. The allowable instream concentration of toxic
substances vhich are noncumulative or nonpersistent
(half-life of less than 96 hours) shall not exceed 0.1
of the 96-hour median lethal concentration (LC50) of a
representative indigenous aquatic organism(s) .
2. The allowable instream concentration of toxic
substances which are bio-accumulative 'or persistent,
including pesticides, when not specified elsewhere in.
this section, shall not exceed 0.01 of the 96-hour
median lethal concentration (LCc) of a representative
indigenous aquatic organism(s).
c0
3. Where specific application factors have been
determined for a toxic substance such as an
acute/ chronic ratio or water effect ratio, they may be
used instead of the 0.1 and 0.01 factors listed in
this subsection upon approval by the cabinet.
4. 5 ug/1 (free)
Toxic substances narrative: Concentrations of toxic
substances which exceed the ninety-six (96) hour LC50
tests for representative indigenous aqiiatic organisms
are not allowed at any point within the mixing zone.
A zone of initial dilution may be assigned on a
case-by-case basis at the discretion of the cabinet.
Concentrations of toxic substances vhich exceed
one-third (1/3) the ninety-six (96) hour LC50 or other
appropriate LC50 tests for representative indigenous
aquatic organisms are to be met at the edge of the
zone of initial dilution. Chronic criteria for the
protection of aquatic life are to be met at the edge
of the allowable mixing zone.
Louisiana
All
All
18
All
Not specified
General criteria narrative: All waters shall be free
from such concentrations of substances attributable to
wastewater or other discharges sufficient to injure,
be toxic or produce demonstrated adverse physiological
response in humans, animals, fish, shellfish,
wildlife, or plants.
Toxic substances narrative: Shall not be present in
quantities that alone or in combination will be toxic
to plant or animal life. Concentrations of persistent
toxic substances for which no numerical criteria are
given in the Standards shall not exceed the 96-hour
-20-
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State and tfater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
LC50/100 (one-hundredth of the 96-hour LC50).
Persistent toxic substances are defined herein as
refractory substances subject to very limited or no
biodegradation and/or detoxification and subject to
food chain bioaccumulation; they include but are not
limited to pesticides, PCB's and heavy metals that are
designated by EPA as priority pollutants.
Concentrations of non-persistent, biodegradable toxic
substances for which no numerical criteria are given
in the standards, shall not exceed the 96-hour LC50/10
(one-tenth of the 96-hour LC50). Bioassay techniques
comparable with those given in the latest edition of
Standards Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater will be used in evaluating toxicity using
specific methods, dilutions, and species of aquatic
animals best suited to the area of concern.
Maine
All
All
19
Classes B-l, B-2, C,
D, SD . .
Classes SA, SB-1,
SB-2, SC
Not specified
There shall be no disposal of any matter or substance
that contains chemical constituents which are harmful
to humans, animals or aquatic life or which adversely
affect any other water use in the classes.
There shall be no disposal of sewage, industrial
wastes or other wastes in such waters, except those
. which have received treatment for the adequate removal
of waste constituents including, but not limited to,
solids, color, turbidity, taste, odor or toxic
material, such that these treated wastes will not
lower the standards or alter the usages of these
classifications, nor shall such disposal of sewage or
waste be injurious to aquatic life or render such
dangerous for human consumption.
There shall be no toxic wastes, deleterious
substances, colored or other waste or heated liquids
discharged to waters of these classifications either
singly or in combinations with other substances or
wastes in such amounts or at such temperatures as to
be injurious to edible fish or shellfish or to the
culture or propagation thereof, or which in any manner
shall adversely affect the flavor, color, odor or
sanitary condition thereof; and otherwise none in
sufficient amounts to make the waters unsafe or
unsuitable for bathing or impair the waters for any
other best usage as determined for the specific waters
which are assigned to these classes.
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State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
All
Toxic substances narrative: No person, firm,
corporation or other legal entity shall place,
deposit, discharge or spill, directly or indirectly,
onto the inland or tidal waters of this State, or on
the ice thereof, or on the banks thereof so that the
same may flov or be washed into such waters, or in
such manner that the drainage therefrom may flow into
such waters:
Any other toxic substance
concentration greater than
regulated, including complete
substance, by the board.
in any amount or
that identified or
prohibition of such
In identifying and
regulating such toxic substances, the board shall take
into account the toxicity of the substance, its
persistence and degradability, the usual or potential
presence of any organism affected by such substance in
any waters of the State, the importance of such
organism and the nature and extent of the effect of
such substance on such organisms, either alone or in
combination with substances already in the receiving
waters or the discharge.
Maryland'
All
All
20
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: The waters of this State
may not be polluted by high-temperature, toxic,
corrosive, or other deleterious substances
attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other
waste in concentrations or combinations which:
(a) interfere directly or indirectly with water uses;
or
(b) are harmful to human, animal, plant or aquatic
life.
Toxic materials criteria are established to protect
freshwater aquatic life, saltwater aquatic life or
human health.
Massachusetts
All
21
Not specified
For each class, the most sensitive beneficial uses are
identified and minimum criteria for water quality in
the water column are established. In interpreting and
applying the minimum criteria in 314 CMR 4.03(4), the
Division shall consider local conditions including,
-22-
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State and Water Use Cyanide Criteria Values
but not limited to:
(a) the characteristics of the biological community;
(b) temperature, weather, flov, and physical and
chemical characteristics; and
(c) synergistic and antagonistic effects of
combinations of pollutants.
The Division vill use the EPA criteria established
pursuant to Section 304(a)(l) of the Federal Act, as
guidance in establishing case-by-case discharge limits
• for pollutants not specifically listed in these
standards but included under the heading "Other
Constituents" in 310 CMR 4.03(4), for identifying
bioassay application factors and for interpretations
of narrative criteria. Where the minimum criteria
specifically listed by the Division in this part
differ from those contained in the federal criteria,
the provisions of the specifically listed criteria in
these standards shall apply.
All Toxic substances narrative: Waters shall be free from
pollutants in concentrations or combinations that:
(a) exceed the recommended limits on the most
sensitive receiving water use;
•. (b) injure, are toxic to, or produce adverse
physiological - or behavioral responses in humans
or aquatic life; or
(c) exceed site-specific safe exposure levels
determined by bioassay using sensitive species.
Michigan22
All Not specified
All R 323.1057 Toxic substances narrative: Rule 57.
(1) Toxic substances shall not be present in the
waters of the state at levels which are or may become
injurious to the public health, safety, or welfare;
plant and animal life; or the designated uses of those
waters. Allowable levels of toxic substances shall be
determined by the commission using appropriate
scientific data.
(2) All of the following provisions apply for purposes
of developing allowable levels of toxic substances in
the surface waters of the state applicable to point
-23-
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State and ffater Use' Cyanide Criteria Values
source discharge permits issued pursuant to Act No.
245 of the Public Acts of 1929, as amended, being
§323.1 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws:
(a> Water quality-based effluent limits developed
pursuant to ;this subrule shall be used only when they
are more restrictive than technology-based limitations
required pursuant to R 323.2137 and R 323.2140.
(b) The toxic substances to which this subrule
shall apply are those on the 1984 Michigan critical
materials register established pursuant to Act No. 245
of the Public Acts of 1929, as amended, being §323.1
et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Lavs; the priority
pollutants and hazardous chemicals in 40 C.F.R.
§122.21, appendix D (1983); and any other toxic
substances as the commission may determine are of
concern at a specific site.
(c) Allowable levels of toxic substances in the
surface water after a discharge is mixed with the
receiving stream volume specified in R 323.1082 shall
be determined by applying an adequate margin of safety
to the MATC, NOAEL, or other appropriate effect end
points, based on knowledge of the behavior of the
toxic substance, characteristics of the receiving
water, and the organisms to be protected.
(d) In addition to restrictions pursuant to
subdivision (c) of this . subrule, a discharge of
carcinogens, not determined to cause cancer by a
threshold mechanism, shall not create a level of risk
to the public health greater than 1 in 100,000 in the
surface water after mixing with the allowable
receiving stream volume specified in R 323.1082. The
commission may require a greater degree of protection
pursuant to R 323.1098 where achievable through
utilization of control measures already in place or
where otherwise determined necessary.
(e) Guidelines shall be adopted pursuant to Act
No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, being
§24.201 et seq". of the Michigan Compiled Laws, setting
forth procedures to be used by staff in the
development of recommendations to the commission on
allowable levels of toxic substances; and the minimum
data necessary to derive such recommendations. The
commission may require the applicant to provide the
minimum data when otherwise not available for
derivation of the allowable levels of toxic substances.
(f) For existing discharges, the commission mav
issue a scheduled abatement permit pursuant to R
323.2145 upon a determination by the commission that
-24-
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State and Water Use Cyanide Criteria Values
the applicant has demonstrated that each of the
following conditions is met:
(i) Immediate attainment of the allowable
level of a toxic substance is not economically or
technically feasible.
(ii) No prudent alternative exists.
(iii) During the period of scheduled
abatement, the permitted discharge will be
consistent with the protection of the public
health, safety, and welfare.
(iv) Reasonable progress will be made toward
compliance with this rule over the term of the
permit, as provided for in a schedule in the
permi t.
Minnesota
23
Domestic (Classes 0.01 mg/1
A, B, & C)
Domestic (Class D) 0.2 mg/1
Fisheries and Recrea- 0.02 mg/1
tion (Classes A, B, & C)
All
All
Agriculture and Wild-
life (Class B)
For contaminants other than heat, the 96-hour median
tolerance limit for indigenous fish and fish food
organisms should not be exceeded at any point in the
mixing zone.
Toxic substances narrative: No discharges at levels
acutely toxic to humans or other animals or plant
life, or directly damaging to real property.
Toxic substances narrative: None at levels harmful
either directly or indirectly.
Limited Resource Value Unspecified substances shall not be allowed in such
Waters quantities or concentrations that will impair the
specified uses.
Mississippi .
Public Water Supply
All
0.025 rag/1
Toxic substances narrative: Waters shall be free from
substances attributable to municipal, industrial,
agricultural or other discharges in concentrations or
-25-
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State and Vater'Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
combinations which are
animals or aquatic life.
toxic or harmful to humans,
There shall be no substances added, whether alone or
in combination with bther substances, that will impair
the use of waters from that which it is classified.
The concentration of toxic pollutants shall not exceed
one-tenth (l/10th) of the 96-hour median tolerance
limit' based on available data. The concentration of
toxic pollutants that are cumulative and/or persistent
may be further limited on a case-by-case basis, where
such data is available.
Available references to be used in determining
toxicity limitations shall include, but not be limited
to Quality Criteria for Water (Section 304(a)),
Federal Regulations under Section 307, and Federal
Regulations under Section 1412 of the Public Health
Service Act as amended by the Safe Drinking Water Act
(Pub. L. 93-523). The use of such information should
be limited to that part applicable to the indigenous
aquatic community found in the State of Mississippi.
Missouri25
Aquatic Life
All
All Classified Waters
5 ug/1 (amenable to chlorination)
The waters of the state shall be free from substances
or conditions that have a harmful effect on 'human,
animal, or aquatic life.
Toxic substances narrative: Water contaminants shall
not cause the limits in Table A for the toxic form of
metals and other toxic substances to be exceeded.
Concentrations of such substances in bottom sediments
or waters shall not harm benthie organisms and shall
not accumulate through the food chain in harmful
concentrations, nor shall Food and Drug Administration
maximum fish tissue levels for fish consumption be
exceeded. More stringent criteria may be imposed if
there is evidence of additive or synergistic effects.
Effluent toxicity studies or site-specific instream
biological studies performed, recognized, or
sanctioned by the commission may be used to develop
alternative effluent limits not based on Table A
values.
Other potentially toxic substances for which
sufficient toxicity data are not available may not be
released to waters of the state until safe levels are
demonstrated through adequate bioassay studies.
-26-
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State and Water Use
26
Montana
All
Water Supply (Class A-
Closed)
Vater Supply (Classes
A-l, B-l, B-2, B-3)
Fish, Aquatic Life,
Wildlife, Agriculture,
Recreation In And On
The Water (Class C-3)
Fish, Aquatic Life,
Wildlife, Agriculture
Recreation in And on
the Water (Classes
C-l, C-2)
Agricultural and In-
dustrial (other than
Food Processing)
(Class E)
All Classes (except A-
Closed and E)
Cyanide Criteria Values
Not specified .
Toxic substances narrative: No increases of toxic or
other deleterious substances, pesticides .and organic
and inorganic materials including heavy metals, above
naturally occurring concentrations, are allowed*
Toxic substances narrative: Concentrations of toxic
or other deleterious substances which would remain in
the water after conventional water treatment must not
exceed the maximum contaminant levels set forth in the
1975 National Interim Primary Drinking Water Standards
(40 CFR Part 141) or subsequent revisions or the 1979
National Secondary Drinking Water Standards (40 CFR
Part 143) or subsequent revisions.
Same as above
Toxic substances narrative: Concentrations of toxic
or other deleterious substances must not exceed levels
which render the waters harmful, detrimental or
injurious to public health.
Toxic substances narrative: Concentrations of toxic
or deleterious substances, pathogens, pesticides and
organic and inorganic materials including heavy
metals, must be less than those demonstrated to be
deleterious to livestock or plants or to humans who
may consume such livestock or plants or to adversely
affect other indicated uses.
The maximum allowable concentrations of toxic or
deleterious substances also must not exceed acute or
chronic problem levels as revealed by bioassay or
other methods. The values listed in EPA Water Quality
Criteria documents (Federal Register Vol. 45, No. 231,
Friday, November 28, 1980, pages 79318 - 79379) shall
be used as a guide to determine problem levels unless
local conditions make these values inappropriate. In
accordance with section 75-5-306(1), MCA, it is not
necessary that wastes be treated to a purer condition
than the natural condition of the receiving water.
-27-
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State and ¥ater Use
Nebraska27
All
Aquatic Life
Public Dtinking Water
Agricultural
Aesthetics and Public
Health
Cyanide Criteria Values
Not completely specified
Toxic substances narrative: Surface waters of the
State shall be free from toxic substances in toxic
amounts. No toxic substances alone or in combination
with other substances in concentrations rendering the
receiving water unsafe or unsuitable for aquatic life
will be allowed. (In implementing these criteria, the
Department will follow procedures outlines in the
State's Continuing Planning Process which comply with
the federal water quality standards, 40 C.F.R. §131.11
(1986)).
Toxic substances narrative: Wastes or toxic
substances introduced directly or indirectly by human
activity in concentrations that would degrade the use
(i.e., would produce undesirable physiological effects
in humans) shall not be allowed.
Toxic substances narrative: Wastes or toxic
substances introduced directly or indirectly by human
activity in concentrations that would degrade the use
(i.e., would produce undesirable physiological effects
in crops or livestock) shall not be allowed.
Surface waters shall be fre'e of radionuclides or toxic
substances in concentrations or combinations which may
produce undesirable physiological responses in humans.
Nevada
All
All
28
0.005 mg/1
Toxic substances narrative: Waters must be free from
toxic substances attributable to domestic or
industrial waste or other controllable sources- at
levels or combinations sufficient to be toxic to
human, animal, plant or aquatic life or in amounts
sufficient to interfere with any beneficial use of the
water.
The presence of toxic materials in a water must be
evaluated by use of a 96-hour bioassay. Survival of
test organisms must not be less than that in control
tests which utilize appropriate control water. The
test organisms and control water must be specified by
the department. In addition, acute bioassays may be
required to determine effluent limitations and the
exact test method to be used must be defined by the
department. Failure to determine presence of toxic
materials by these methods shall not preclude
-28-
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Drinking Water Supply
(vith treatment by
disinfection only)
Suitable For Aquatic
Life Habitat, Wildlife
Propagation, Agricul-
tural, Recreation,
Boating, Esthetics
(Class A)
Drinking Water Supply
(vith treatment by
disinfection and fil-
tration only), Agri-
cultural, 'Aquatic
Life and Wildlife
Propagation, Recrea-
tion, Industrial and
Esthetics (Class B)
Drinking Water Supply Same as above
(following complete
treatment) Agricul-
tural, Aquatic Life,
Wildlife Propagation,
Recreation, Esthetics
and Industrial (Class C)
determination of excessive levels of toxic materials
on the basis of other criteria or methods.
Wastes from municipal, industrial or other
controllable sources, containing arsenic, barium,
boronj cadmium, chromium, cyanide, fluoride, lead,
selenium, silver, copper and zinc that are reasonably
amenable to treatment or control must not be
discharged untreated or uncontrolled into the waters
of Nevada (including the Colorado River System). In
addition, the limits for concentrations of the
chemical constituents must provide water quality
consistent with the mandatory requirements of the 1962
Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards.
None (zero)
Toxic substances narrative: Only such amounts as will
not render receiving waters injurious to fish or
wildlife or impair the receiving waters for any
beneficial uses established for this class.
Boating and Esthetics,
Aquatic Life, Wildlife
Propagation, Agricul-
tural and Industrial
(except for Food
Processing Purposes)
(Class D)
Toxic substances narrative: Only, such amounts as will
not impair receiving waters for any beneficial use
established for this class.
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
29
Nev Hampshire
All
Water Supply
(Class A)
All Other Uses
(Classes B and C)
Fish Life
All
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: No potentially toxic
substances unless naturally occurring.
Toxic substances narrative: No potentially toxic
substances in toxic concentrations or combinations.
Toxic substances narrative: All surface waters of the
state shall be free from chemicals and other materials
and conditions inimical to fish life or to maintenance
of fish life.
Substances potentially toxic are evaluated in
accordance vith EPA's published vater quality criteria
for 64 toxic substances dated November 1980. Toxic
limits are to be set utilizing bioassay procedures as
outlined in CFR Vol. 45, No. 231, November 28, 1980.
When establishing limits on toxic substances for the
protection of aquatic life, "Appendix B - Guidelines
for Deriving Water Quality Criteria for the Protection
of Aquatic Life and Its Uses," CFR Vol. 45. No. 231,
November 28, 1980, will be utilized. Bioassay
procedures and analysis shall be consistent with
'Methods for Measuring Acute Toxicity of Effluents
(third edition)' published by EPA, or equivalent
protocol as approved by the Commission.
Bioassay procedures and " application factors used in
establishing limits on toxic substances shall, as a
minimum, be no less rigorous than the recommendations
for bioassays and application factors contained in the
National Technical Advisory Committee's report to the
Secretary of the Interior on WATER QUALITY CRITERIA,
April 1, 1968 or latest revision thereof.
Nev Jersey
All
.30
FW-1 Waters
PL Waters
Toxic substances narrative: Toxic substances in
waters of the State shall not be at levels that are
toxic to humans or the aquatic biota, or that
bioaccumulate in the aquatic biota so as to render
them unfit for human consumption.
Surface water quality criteria shall be maintained as
to quality in their natural state.
Surface water quality criteria shall be maintained as
to quality in their existing state or that quality
necessary to attain or protect the designated uses,
-30-
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State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
FW-2 Waters
FW-2, SE, and SC
Waters
Zones 1C-6
whichever is more stringent.
None which would cause standards for drinking water to
be exceeded after appropriate treatment.
Toxic substances narrative: None, either alone or in
combination with other substances, in such
concentrations as to affect humans or be detrimental
to the natural aquatic biota, produce undesirable
aquatic life, or which would render the waters
unsuitable for the designated uses.
Toxic substances shall not be present in
concentrations that cause acute or chronic toxicity to
aquatic biota, or bioaccumulate within an organism to
concentrations- that exert .a toxic effect on that
organism or render it unfit for consumption.
The concentrations of nonpersistent toxic substances
in the State's waters shall not exceed one-twentieth
(0.05) of the acute definitive LC50 or EC50 value, as
determined by appropriate bioassays conducted in
accordance with N..J.A.C. 7:18.
The concentrations of persistent toxic substances in
the State's waters shall not exceed one-hundredth
(0.01) of the acute definitive LC50 or EC50 value, as
determined by appropriate bioassays conducted in
accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:18.
General criteria narrative: The waters shall not
contain substances attributable to municipal,
industrial, or other discharges in concentrations or
amounts sufficient to preclude the specified water
uses to be protected. Within this requirement the
waters shall be substantially free from substances in
concentrations or combinations which are toxic or
harmful to human, animal, plant, or aquatic life, or
that produce color, taste, or odor in the water, or
that taint fish or shellfish flesh.
In no case shall concentrations of substances exceed
those values given for rejection of water supplies in
the United States Public Health Service Drinking Water
Standards.
New Mexico
All
All
31
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: Toxic substances such
as, but not limited to , pesticides, herbicides, heavy
metals, and organics, shall not be present in
-31-
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
receiving waters in concentrations which will change
the ecological conditions of receiving waters to an
extent detrimental to man ore other organisms of
direct or indirect commercial, recreation, or
aesthetic value. Toxicities of substances in
receiving waters will be determined by appropriate
bioassay techniques, or other acceptable means, for
the- particular form of aquatic life which is to be
preserved with the concentrations of toxic substances
not to exceed 5% of the LC-50 provided that: toxic
substances which, through uptake in the aquatic food
chain and/or storage in plant and animal tissues, can
be magnified to levels which are toxic to man or other
organisms, shall not be present in concentrations
which result in this biological magnification or
exceed 1% of the LC-50. Waters designated for use as
domestic water supplies shall not contain substances
in concentrations tat exceed drinking water standards
set forth in Section 202.B of the New Mexico
Regulations Governing Water Supplies.
Nev York32
AA; AA-s; A; A-s(Human) 100 ug/1
AA; AA-s; A; A-s(Aquatic) 5.2*
BjC
D
SA;SB;SC
SD
GA
Effluent Standards for
Discharges To Class GA
Waters
Fresh Surface Waters
Saline Surface Waters
Classes SA, SB, SC
- as free cyanide - the sum of HCN and
CN~ - expressed as CN.
5.2*
22*
1.0*
1.0*
0.2 mg/1
0.40 mg/1
Toxic substances narrative: None in amounts that will
be injurious to fishlife or which in any manner shall
adversely affect the flavor, color or odor thereof, or
impair the waters for any best usage as determined for
the specific waters which are assigned to each class.
Toxic substances narrative: None in amounts that will
interfere with use for primary (SA and SB) or
secondary (SC) contact recreation or that will be
injurious to edible fish or shellfish or the culture
or propagation thereof, or which in any manner shall
adversely affect the flavor, color, odor or sanitary
condition thereof or impair the waters for any best
usage as determined for the specific waters which
assigned to each class.
-32-
-------
State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Saline Surface Waters
Class SD
Class A-Special Waters
International Boundary
Waters
Class I
Secondary Contact
Recreation and Any
Other Usage Except Pri-
mary Contact Recrea-
tion and Shellfish For
Market Purposes
Class II
All Uses Not Primarily
For Recreation, Shell-
fish Culture Or The
Development Of Fish
Class GA
Fresh Ground Waters
Potable Water Supply
Class GSA
Saline Waters
Conversion To Fresh
Potable Waters; Source
Of Potable Mineral
Waters; Raw Material
For The Manufacture Of
Sodium Chloride
Toxic substances narrative: None alone or in
combination with other substances or wastes in
sufficient amounts to prevent, survival of fish life or
impair the waters for any other best usage as
determined for the specific waters which are assigned
to this class.
Toxic substances narrative: None in amounts that will
interfere with use for primary contact recreation or
that will be injurious to the growth and propagation
of fish, or which in any manner shall adversely affect
the flavor, color, or odor thereof or impair the
waters for any other best usage as determined for the
specific waters which are assigned to this class.
Toxic substances narrative: None in amounts that will
interfere with use for secondary contact recreation or
that will be injurious to edible fish or shellfish or
the culture or propagation thereof, or which in any
manner shall adversely affect the flavor, color, odor
or sanitary condition thereof or impair the waters for
any best usage as determined for the specific waters
which are assigned to this class.
Toxic substances narrative: None alone or in
combination with other substances or wastes in
sufficient amounts to be injurious to edible fish
and shellfish, or the culture or propagation thereof,
or which shall in any manner affect the flavor, color,
odor or sanitary condition of such fish or shellfish
so as to injuriously affect the sale thereof, or which
shall cause any injury to the public and private
shellfisheries of"this State.
Toxic substances narrative: None which may impair the
quality of the ground waters to render them unsafe or
unsuitable for a potable water supply or which may
cause or contribute to a condition in contravention of
standards for other classified waters of the State.
Toxic substances narrative: None which may impair the
waters for use as sources of saline waters for the
best usage or as to cause or contribute to a condition
in contravention of standards for other classified
waters of the State.
-33-
-------
State and ¥ater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
Class GSB
Receiving Water For
Disposal Of Wastes
Toxic substances narrative: None which may be
deleterious, harmful, detrimental or injurious to the
public health, safety or welfare or which may cause or
contribute to a condition in contravention of
standards for other classified waters of the State.
33
North Carolina
Fresh Surface Waters
Tidal Salt Waters
All
Fresh Surface Waters
Tidal Salt Waters
5.0 ug/1
5.0 ug/1
Toxic substance narrative [Rule .0208(a)]: The
concentration of toxic substances in the receiving
water,, (either alone or in combination, when
affirmatively demonstrated to be non-bioaccumulative)
when not specified elsewhere in this Section, shall
not exceed the concentration specified by the fraction
of the 96-hour LC50 value which predicts a no effect
chronic level (as determined by the use of established
acute/chronic ratios). If an acceptable acute/chronic
ratio is not available, then that toxic substance
shall not exceed one-one hundredth (0.01) of the
96-hour LC50 or if it is affirmatively demonstrated
that a toxic substance has a half-life of less than 96
hours or is not bi©accumulative, the maximum
concentration shall not exceed one-twentieth (0.05) of
the 96-hour LC50. If it is affirmatively demonstrated
that the standard for a particular toxic substance as
specified in Rule .0211 or .0212 of this Section is
inappropriate for a specific stream segment, the
commission may revise the applicable standard on a
case-by-case basis in accordance with the provisions
of Section 143-214.1 of the General Statutes of North
Carolina.
Toxic substances narrative [Rule .0211(b)(3)(L)]:
Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination
with other substances or wastes as will not render the
waters injurious to public health, secondary
recreation, or to aquatic life and wildlife (either
through chronic or acute exposure or through
bioaccumulation), or impair the waters for any
designated uses; any toxic substance or complex waste
will be considered acutely toxic at instream waste
concentrations greater than one third of the 96-hour
LC50 value; acceptable levels of chronic exposure may
be determined by test procedures deemed appropriate by
the director.
Toxic substances narrative [Rule .0212(b)(3)(L)]:
Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination
with other substances or wastes as will not render the
-34-
-------
State and Mater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
North Dakota34
Classes I, IA and II.
Class III Industrial
and Agricultural Uses
Only
All
Ohio35
All Lake Erie Uses
All Ohio River Uses
Aquatic Life Habitat
tfarmwa ter, Excep-
tional Warmwater,
Seasonal Salmonid
Coldwater
Nuisance Prevention
All
waters injurious to aquatic life and wildlife, or
impair the waters for any designated uses.
0.005 mg/1
0.1 mg/1
Toxic substances narrative: Free from substances
attributable to municipal, industrial, or other
discharges or agricultural practices in concentrations
or combinations which are toxic or harmful to human,
animal, plant or resident aquatic biota.
Mixing zones narrative: The 96-hour LC 50 for
indigenous or resident fish and fish food organisms
shall not be exceeded at any point in the mixing zone.
Sampling and testing narrative: Bioassay tests shall
be performed in accordance with procedures outlined in
the latest edition of "Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater", published by the
American public health association, or in accordance
with tests or analytical procedures that have been
found to be equal or more applicable by the department
or the environmental "protection agency. Bioassay
studies shall be made using a sensitive resident
species.
0.025 mg/1
0.005 mg/1 (amenable to chlorination)
0.025 mg/1
8.1 ug/1 (30-day ave.)
4.2 ug/1 (30-day ave.)
38 ug/1 (max.)
General narrative: Free from substances entering the
waters as a result of human activities in
concentrations that are toxic or harmful to human,
animal or aquatic life and/or are rapidly lethal in
-35-
-------
State and Water Use Cyanide Criteria Values
the mixing zone.
Antidegradation policy: Present ambient water quality
in state resource waters will not be degraded for all
substances determined to be toxic or to interfere with
any designated use as determined by the director of
Ohio environmental protection agency.
Toxic- substances narrative: All pollutants or
combinations of pollutants not specifically mentioned
in this ' rule, shall not exceed water quality criteria
derived according to the procedures set forth in
"Draft Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National
Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic
Life and Its Uses," United States environmental
protection agency, July 5, 1983, or, if insufficient
data prevent the use of this procedure, shall not
exceed, at any time, one-tenth, or, for pollutants or
combinations of pollutants which are known to be
persistent toxicants in the aquatic environment, one
one-hundredth of the ninety-six-hour median tolerance
limit (TLm) or LC-Q for any representative aquatic
species. However, more stringent application factors
shall be imposed where justified by "Ambient Water
Quality Criteria," documents, .United States
environmental protection agency, 1980; "Quality
Criteria for Water," U.S. environmental protection
agency, 1976; "Water Quality Criteria 1972," "National
Academy of Sciences" and "National Academy of
Engineering," 1973; or other scientifically based
publications.
The median tolerance limit (TLm) or LC,-0 shall be
determined by static or dynamic bioassays performed in
accordance with methods outlined in "Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,"
fifteenth edition, "American Public Health
Association," "American Water Works Association" and
the "Water Pollution Control Federation, 1981"; or
performed in accordance with procedures outlined in
"Methods of Acute Toxicity Tests with Fish,
Macroinvertebrates and Amphibians," United States
environmental protection agency 660/3-75-009. Tests
will be conducted using actual effluent, receiving
water and representative aquatic species whenever
possible.
Ohio River Free from substances in concentrations which are toxic
or harmful to humans, animals, or fish and other
aquatic life which would in any manner adversely
affect the flavor, color, odor, or edibility of fish
and other aquatic life, wildlife or livestock or which
are otherwise detrimental to the designated uses.
-36-
-------
State and "Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Toxic substances narrative:
(a) Non-cumulative substances - not to exceed one-
tenth (0.1) the ninety-six-hour LC5Q of representative
important species indigenous to the Ohio river.
(b) Cumulative substances - not to exceed one
one-hundredth (0.01) of the ninety-six-hour LC5Q of
representative important species indigenous to the
Ohio river.
(c) Other limiting concentrations may be used when
justified on the basis of available evidence and
approved by the appropriate regulatory agency or
agencies.
m
36
Oklahoma
All
Public And Private
Water Supplies
Fish And Wildlife
Propagation
Not specified
0.200 mg/1
The surface
as public
maintained
waters of the State which are designated
and private water supplies shall be
so that they will not be toxic,
carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic to humans.
Toxic substances-narrative: Assigning concentration
limits for the Fish and Wildlife Propagation
beneficial use is very complex. Limits are generally
assigned based upon laboratory bibassay work designed
to determine the 96-hour LC-Q for a particular aquatic
species. There are several physical, chemical and
biological problems which arise when attempts are made
to develop water quality standards based upon single
maximum concentration values. For this reason,
numerical concentration limits are developed in this
section for specified toxics. For toxics not
specified, or where data is not available in the
following table, concentrations for nonpersistent
toxic substances listed in Appendix C shall not exceed
0.1 of the 96-hour LC-Q for sensitive indigenous
species. Concentrations of persistent toxicants'
listed in Appendix C shall not exceed 0.05 of the
96-hour kC-Q ^or sensitive indigenous species.
Concentrations of bioaccumulative toxicants listed in
Appendix C shall not exceed 0.01 of the 96-hour LC5Q
for sensitive indigenous species. Bioassay data for
Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) and/or Lepomis
macrochirus (bluegill) shall be used in determining
compliance with the above criteria.
Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms: The surface waters of
the State outside the mixing zone but within the zone
-37-
-------
State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Primary Contact
Recreation
Secondary Contact
Recreation
All
of passage shall be maintained so that they will not
be toxic to fishes and other terrestrial and aquatic
life. Toxic substances in surface waters of the State
shall not be present in quantities which allow
significant bioaccumulation and/or bioraagnification in
the food chain. If substances exhibit synergistic
effects when combined, toxicity tests described in
this section may be used to detect the increased
toxicity.
No toxicity shall be allowed downstream from the
mixing "zone as determined by a forty-eight (48) hour
static test using appropriate laboratory animals
conducted in accordance with "Methods for Measuring
the Acute Toxicity of Effluents to Freshwater and
Marine Organisms," EPA-600/4-85-013 (Rev. March, 1985).
In addition, no toxicity shall be allowed as
measured using in-situ bioassay with sensitive
indigenous fishes ("An In-Situ Method for Evaluating
Acute Toxicity in Aquatic Environment." Noble
Foundation and Okla. Dept. Wldlf. Cons. Symposium on
Pond Mgt., Okla. City, Aug. 1985). In-situ testing
must be conducted over a period of ninety-six (96)
hours unless statistically significant differences in
mortality occur in a shorter period of time. Toxicity
of .waters may be determined using statistical
differences for a total mortality between control and
presumed impact sites. Chronic toxicity shall not be
allowed in waters of the State ("Methods for
Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and
Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms,"
EPA-600/4-85-014). If significant mortality does not
occur at the presumed impact site within ninety-six
(96) hours, a benthic macroinvertebrate survey may be
performed to determine low-level persistent toxicity.
The water shall not contain chemical, physical or
biological substances in concentrations that are
irritating to skin or sense organs or are toxic or
cause illness upon ingestion by human beings.
Waters shall be maintained to be free from human
pathogens in numbers which may produce adverse health
effects in humans.
Mixing zones narrative: The concentration of toxic
substances in a mixing zone shall not exceed the
96-hour LCc0 for sensitive indigenous species.
Oregon'
All
37
General water quality standards applicable to all
waters except where superseded (below) by special
water quality standards applicable to specifically
-38-
-------
State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
All
designated waters.
Not specified
Special water quality standard applicable to: North
Coast-Lower Columbia Basin, Mid Coast Basin, Umpqua
Basin, South Coast Basin, Rogue Basin, Willamette
Basin, Sandy Basin, Hood Basin, Deschutes Basin, John
Day Basin, Umatilla Basin, Walla Walla Basin, Grande
Ronde Basin, Powder Basin, Malheur River Basin, Owyhee
Basin, Malheur Lake Basin, Goose and Summer Lakes
Basin, and Klamath Basin
0.005 mg/1
The creation of tastes or odors or toxic or other
conditions that are deleterious to fish to other
aquatic life or affect the potability of drinking
water or the palatability of fish or shellfish shall
not be allowed.
Where industrial, commercial, or agricultural
effluents contain quantities of potentially toxic
elements, treatment requirements shall be determined
utilizing appropriate bioassays.
Pennsylvania
All
All
38
0.005 mg/1 as free cyanide (HCN+CN-)
General water quality criteria narrative: Water shall
not contain substances attributable to point or
nonpoint source waste discharges in concentration or
amounts sufficient to be inimical or harmful to the
water uses to be protected or to human, animal, plant,
or aquatic life.
39
Rhode Island
Fresh Water Aquatic
Life
Class A
Classes B and C
U.S.EPA
Acute
52
U.S.EPA
Chronic
3.5
Saltwater Aquatic Life 1.0
.57 all units in ug/1
The limits prescribed by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency will be used where not
superseded by more stringent State requirements.
The ambient concentration of a pollutant in a water
body designated as suitable for fish and/or wildlife
habitat shall not exceed the R.I. DEM Ambient Water
-39-
-------
State and ¥ater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Class D
Classes A, B, C, D
Class SA
Class SB
Class SC
Classes A, B, C, D,
SA, SB, SC
Quality Guidelines for the protection of aquatic
organisms from chronic effects, unless the chronic
guideline is modified by the Director based on results
of bioassay tests conducted in accordance with the
terms and conditions provided in Appendix C.
The ambient concentration of a pollutant in a water
body designated as suitable for fish migration shall
not exceed the R.I. DEM Ambient Water Quality
Guidelines for the protection of aquatic organisms
from acute effects, unless the acute guideline is
modified by the Director based on results of bioassay
tests conducted in accordance with the terms and
conditions provided in Appendix C.
Waters shall be free from chemical, constituents in
concentrations or combinations which could be harmful
to human, animal, or aquatic life for the appropriate
most sensitive and governing water class use or
unfavorably alter the biota.
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.
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. The
ambient concentration of a pollutant in a water body
designated as suitable for fish and/or wildlife
habitat shall not exceed the R.I. DEM Ambient Water
Quality Guidelines for the protection of aquatic
organisms from chronic effects, unless the chronic
guideline is modified by the Director based on results
of bioassay tests conducted in accordance with the
terms and conditions provided in Appendix C.
If an aquatic toxicity value has not been
established in the R.I. DEM Ambient Water Quality
Guidelines, then the level of any "priority pollutant"
shall not exceed the "detection limits" in the ambient
water unless the discharger demonstrates to the
satisfaction of the Director that a higher
-40-
-------
State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
concentration will not adversely effect the most
sensitive use of the vater body.
Classes A,B,CjD are fresh waters.
Classes SA,SB,SC are sea waters.
South Carolina
All
All
40
Classes AA and SAA
Classes A-Trout and
B-Trout
Classes A and SB
Classes B and SC
Not specified
Toxic substances . narrative: All ground waters and
surface waters of the State shall at all times,
regardless of flow, be free from toxic substances
attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other
waste in concentrations or combinations which
interfere with classified water uses (except within
mixing zones as described in D.(5) of the South
Carolina Water Quality Standards), existing water uses
or which are harmful to human, animal, plant or
aquatic life.
Toxic substances narrative: Natural conditions will
be maintained and protected as.feasible, within the
Department's statutory authority.
Toxic substances narrative: None alone or in
combination with other substances or wastes in
sufficient amounts to be injurious to reproducing
trout populations or in any manner adversely affect
the taste, color, odor, or sanitary condition thereof
or impair the waters for any other best usage as
determined for the specific waters which are assigned
to this class.
Toxic substances
combination with
sufficient
unsuitable
the waters
narrative: None alone or in
other substances or wastes in
amounts to make the waters unsafe or
for primary contact recreation or to impair
for any other best usage as determined for
the specific waters which are assigned to this class.
Toxic substances
combination with
sufficient amounts
freshwater(B) and
narrative: None alone or in
other substances or wastes in
to be harmful to the survival of
marine(SC) fauna and flora or the
culture or propagation thereof; to adversely affect
the taste, color, odor, or sanitary condition of fish
for human consumption; to make the (B) waters unsafe
or unsuitable for a source of drinking water supply
after conventional treatment; to make the waters
unsafe or unsuitable for secondary contact recreation;
or to impair the waters for any other best usage as
-41-
-------
State and ¥ater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Class SA
Class GA
Class GB
Class GC
determined for the specific waters which are assigned
to this class.
Toxic substances narrative: None alone or in
combination with other substances or wastes in
sufficient amounts to adversely affect the taste,
color, odor, or sanitary condition of clams, mussels,
or oysters for human consumption; or impair the waters
for 'any other best usage as determined for the
specific,waters which are assigned to this class.
Toxic substances narrative: None allowed
Chemicals narrative: As set forth in the State
Primary Drinking Water Regulations R.61-58.5 B.(2).
Toxic substances narrative: None which interfere with
any existing use of an underground source of drinking
water.
South Dakota
Fish Life Propagation
Waters
Coldwater Permanent
Coldwater Marginal
Warmwater Permanent
Warmwater Semiperm-
anent
Warmwater Marginal
All
Total Cyanide (mg/1)
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
The applicable criterion
times, without exception.
Free Cyanide (mg/1)
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
is to be maintained at all
Toxic substances narrative: Substances which produce
concentrations of any substance toxic to humans,
animals, plants,or aquatic life may not be discharged
or caused to be discharged into any lake or stream.
Toxicity of nonbioaccumulative pollutants to aquatic
life shall be 'determined in accordance with
§74:03:02:06. Toxicity of bioaccumulative pollutants
shall be determined using bioassay methods in
accordance with §74:03:02:06 and additional data on
the rates and effects of bioaccumulation so that the
aquatic community and those organisms including man
which use those aquatic organisms for food are
protected against potential adverse health effects.
Toxic concentrations shall be specified in terms of
-42-
-------
State and ¥ater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
24-hour and 30-day average concentrations or maximum
concentrations allowed or both. Where numerical
criterion has been established for a toxic substance
in §§74:03:02:33 to 74:03:02:45, inclusive, the
provisions of this section do not apply to that
substance.
Tennessee
42
All Not specified
Domestic Water Supply 200 ug/1
Toxic substances narrative: The waters shall not
contain toxic substances, whether alone or in
combination with other substances, which will produce
toxic conditions that materially affect the health and
safety of man or animals, or impair the safety of
conventionally treated water supplies. Available
references to be used in determining such conditions
shall include, but not be limited to: Quality
Criteria for Water (Section 304(a) of PL 92-500);
Federal Regulations under Section 307 of PL 92-500;
and Federal Regulations under Section 1412 of the
Public Health Service Act as amended by the Safe
Drinking Water Act (PL 93-523).
Industrial Water Supply Toxic substances narrative: The waters shall not
contain toxic substances whether alone or in
combination with other substances, which will
adversely affect industrial processing.
Fish And Aquatic Life
Toxic Substances Narrative: The waters shall not
contain substances or combination of substances
including disease causing agents which, by way of
either direct exposure of indirect exposure through
food chains may cause death, disease, behavioral
abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations,
physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in
reproduction), physical deformations, or restrict or
impair growth in fish or aquatic life or their
offspring. In no event shall the diversity or
productivity of biota significant to the aquatic
community of the receiving stream be decreased.
References to be used in determining toxicity
limitations shall include but not be limited to:
Quality Criteria for Water (Section 304(a) of Public
Law 92-500), Federal Regulations under Section 307 of
Public Law 92-500, and Federal Regulations under
Section 1412 of the Public Health Service Act as
amended by the Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Law
93-523). The use of such information should be
limited to that part applicable to the aquatic
community found within the receiving stream or waters
-43-
-------
State and ¥ater Use
Recreation
Irrigation
Livestock Watering And
Wildlife
Effluent Limitations
(Industrial Wastewater
Treatment Plants)
Cyanide Criteria Values
under consideration.
Toxic substances narrative: The water shall not
contain toxic substances whether alone or in
combination with other substances, that will render
the waters unsafe or unsuitable for water contact
activities, or will propose toxic conditions that will
adversely affect man or animal.
Toxic substances narrative: The waters shall not
contain toxic substances that will produce toxic
conditions that will affect the water for irrigation.
Toxic substances narrative: The waters shall not
contain toxic substances whether alone or in
combination with other substances, that will produce
toxic conditions that will affect the water for
livestock watering and wildlife.
0.05 mg/1
Texas43
All Fresh Water
All
Acute = 45.78 ug/1
Chronic = 10.69 ug/1
(d) Toxic parameters. Surface waters will not be
toxic to man, or to terrestrial or aquatic life.
Additional standards requirements for toxic materials
are specified in §307.6 of this title (relating to
Toxic Materials).
§307.6. TOXIC MATERIALS.
(a) Application. Standards and procedures set forth
in this section apply to all water in the state,
except as indicated in §307.8 of this title (relating
to Application of Standards) and §307.9 of this title
(relating to Determination of Standards Attainment).
(b) General provisions.
(1) Water in the state shall not be acutely toxic to
aquatic life except in small zones of initial dilution
at discharge points, in accordance with §307.8
(relating to Application of Standards).
(2) Water in the state with designated or existing
aquatic life uses shall not be chronically toxic to
aquatic life, except in mixing zones and below
critical low-flow conditions, in accordance with
-44-
-------
State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
§307.8 of this title (relating to Application of
Standards).
(3) Vater in the state shall be maintained to
preclude adverse toxic effects on human, health
resulting from contact recreation, consumption of
aquatic organisms, or consumption of drinking water
after reasonable treatment. In addition to other
provisions of this section, permitted discharges or
other controllable sources shall not cause maximum
contaminant levels for public drinking water supplies,
as established in the federal Safe Drinking Water Act
(42 United States Code 300f et seq.), to be exceeded
after reasonable treatment by a water supply treatment
plant. The commission will utilize available
investigative and regulatory means to identify and
control sources of toxic pollutants which cause or
could potentially cause the following guidelines to be
exceeded:
(A) EPA maximum contaminant levels for drinking water
supplies; and
(B) U.S. Food and Drug Administration Action Levels
for toxic concentrations in fish and shellfish tissue.
Utah44
Aquatic Wildlife
(Classes 3A,3B, & 3C)
Aquatic Wildlife
(Class 3D)
Agriculture
Industry
All
Criteria for free cyan.ide:
5.2 u.g/1 - 4 day average
22 ug/1 - 1 hour average
22 ug/1 - 1 hour average
Limits assigned on a case-by-case basis.
Limits assigned on a case-by-case basis.
Toxic substances narrative: It shall be unlawful, and
a violation of these regulations, for any person to
discharge or place any waste or other substance in
such a way as will be or may become offensive; or
conditions which produce undesirable aquatic life or
which produce objectionable tastes in edible aquatic
organisms; or concentrations or combinations of
substances which produce undesirable physiological
responses in desirable resident fish, or other
desirable aquatic life, as determined by bioassay or
other tests performed in accordance with standard
procedures determined by the Committee.
-45-
-------
State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
Vermont
All
45
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: The waters of the state
shall be managed so as to prevent the discharge of
radioactive or toxic vastes in concentrations,
quantities or combinations that may create a
significant likelihood of an adverse impact on human
health .or acute or chronic toxicity to aquatic biota,
fish or wildlife. Unless otherwise specified by these
rules, the Secretary shall determine limits for
discharges containing radioactive or toxic wastes
based on the results of biological toxicity
assessments and the appropriate available scientific
data, including but not limited to:
1. The current edition of the EPA publications
"Quality Criteria for Water" and the 1980 Ambient
Water Quality Criteria Documents ("White Books")
2. The Vermont State Health Regulation, Part 5,
Chapter 3 "Radiological Health", effective as of
12/10/77
3. 10 CFR 50, Appendix I
In establishing -such limits the Secretary shall
give • consideration to the potential. for
bioaccumulation as well as any antagonistic or
synergistic relationship that may exist between the
wastes being discharged and the concentration of other
wastes or constituents in the receiving waters. The
discharge of radioactive wastes shall not exceed the
lowest limits which are reasonably achievable.
Virginia46
Surface Water
(Chronic Criteria For
The Protection Of
Aquatic Life)
All
Freshwater
Saltwater
5.2 ug/1
1.0 ug/1
All State waters shall be free from substances
attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other
wasted in concentration, amounts, or combinations
which contravene established standards or interfere
directly or indirectly with reasonable, beneficial
uses of such water or which are inimical or harmful to
human, animal, plant or aquatic life. Specific
substances to be controlled include, but are not
limited to: floating debris, oil, scum, and other
floating material; toxic substances; substances that
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State and Vater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
settle to form sludge deposits, and substances which
nourish undesirable or nuisance aquatic plant life.
Effluents which tend to raise the temperature of the
receiving water will also be controlled.
Washington
All
47
Not specified
Extraordinary(Class AA) Toxic substances narrative: Toxic, radioactive, or
and Lake Class Waters deleterious material concentrations shall be less than
those which adversely affect public health, the
natural aquatic environment, or the desirability of
the water for any use.
Excellent (Class A),
Good (Class B), Pair
(Class C) Waters
All
Toxic substances narratives Toxic, radioactive, or
deleterious material concentrations shall be below
those of public health significance, or which may
cause acute or chronic toxic conditions, to the aquatic
biota, or which may adversely affect any water use.
Deleterious concentrations of toxic, or other
nonradioactive materials, shall be determined by the
department in consideration of the Quality Criteria
for Water, published by USEPA 1976, and as revised, as
the. authoritative source for criteria and/or other
relevant information, if justified.
West Virginia48
Categories A,B, & C
All
5 ug/1 (as Free Cyanide HCN + CN~)
No sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes present
in any of the waters of the State shall cause or
materially contribute to concentrations of materials
harmful, hazardous or toxic to man, animal, or aquatic
life.
Wisconsin
All
All
49
Fish And Aquatic Life
Not specified
Toxic substances narrative: Substances in
concentrations or combinations which are toxic or
harmful to humans shall not be present in amounts
found . to be of public health significance, nor shall
substances be present in amounts which are acutely
harmful to animal, plant or aquatic life.
Toxic substances narrative: Unauthorized
concentrations of substances are not permitted that
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State and Water Use Cyanide Criteria Values
alone or in combination with other materials present
are toxic to fish or other aquatic life. The
determination of the toxicity of a substance shall be
based upon the available scientific data base.
References to be used in determining the toxicity of a
substance shall include, but not be limited to:
1. "Quality Criteria for Water".
EPA-440/9-76-003. United States Environmental
Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 1976, and
2. "Water Quality Criteria 1972W. EPA-R3-73-033.
National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of
Engineering. United States Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C., 1974.
3. Questions concerning the permissible levels,
or changes in the same, of a substance, or combination
of substances, of undefined toxicity to fish and other
biota shall be resolved in accordance with the methods
specified in "Water Quality Criteria 1972", "Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater",
14th Edition, 1975 (American Public Health
Association, New York) or other methods approved by
the department of natural resources.
Public Water Supply Toxic substances narrative: The intake water supply
will be such that by appropriate treatment and
adequate safeguards it will meet the Public Health
Service Drinking Water Standards, 1962.
Concentrations of other constituents must not be
hazardous to health.
Wyoming
All Not specified
All Toxic substances narrative: Toxic or potentially
toxic materials attributable to or influenced by the
activities of man shall not- be present in any Wyoming
surface waters in concentrations or combinations which
would damage or impair the normal growth, function or
reproduction of human, animal, plant or aquatic life.
Unless otherwise specified in these Standards, maximum
allowable concentrations shall be based on the latest
edition of Quality Criteria for Water, published by
EPA or its successor agency, and/or more generally
accepted scientific information.
In those cases where maximum allowable
concentrations must be determined through bioassay,
the appropriate protocol and application factors as
outlined in the latest edition of Standard Methods for
the Examination of Water and Wastewater or other
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
methods approved by the EPA shall be used. The
bipassay shall be conducted with an ecologically or
economically important sensitive resident specie in
the most sensitive portion of its life cycle, if
applicable, as a test organism. Makeup water for the
analysis should be constituted so as to approximate
the most probable chemical and physical
characteristics of the receiving water in question.
The observed 96-hour LC50 is then to be multiplied by
an application factor, where established by EPA, to
determine the "safe" concentrations for the compound
in question. Where appropriate application factors
have not yet been established, the method for deriving
said application factor shall be that described in the
latest edition of Standard Methods or other methods
approved by EPA.
Toxic substances specifically designed to kill or
eliminate problem-causing aquatic life (such as
mosquito larvae or heavy plant growth in irrigation
ditches) may be added to surface waters of the State
provided such substances are administered in
accordance with label directions. However, compliance
with label directions shall not exempt any person from
the penalty provisions of W.S. 35-ll-901(b).
This Section shall not apply to the use of fish
toxicants by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
American Samoa
All Fresh Surface
Water, Embayments,
Open Coastal Water
and Oceanic Waters
(shall apply as a
minimum within the
zone of mixing)
Free from substances and conditions or combinations
thereof attributable to sewage, industrial wastes,
or other activities of man which may be toxic to
humans, other animals, plants, and aquatic life.
Substances of unknown toxicity:
(a) All effluents containing materials
attributable to the activities of man shall be
considered harmful and not permissible until
acceptable bioassay tests have shown otherwise. It is
the obligation of the person producing the effluent to
demonstrate that it is harmless, at the request of the
Environmental Quality Commission.
(b) Compliance with Section VI, A-A of these
standards will be determined by use of indicator
organisms, analysis of species diversity, population
density, growth anomalies, bioassays of appropriate
duration or other appropriate methods as specified by
the Environmental Quality Commission.
(c) The survival of aquatic Life in any waters
shall not be less than that for the same water body in
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State and Vater Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
areas unaffected by sevage, industrial wastes or other
activities of man, or, when necessary, for other
control water that is consistent with the requirements
for "Experimental Water" as described in Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
(latest available edition). As a minimum, compliance
with the objective as stated in the previous sentence
shall be evaluated with a 96 hour bioassay.
(d) In addition, effluent limits based upon acute
bioassays of effluents will be prescribed where
appropriate, additional numerical receiving water
limits including the water quality criteria used to
support toxic effluent standards identified under
Section 307 (a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act of 1972, as amended, will apply; further,
numerical receiving water limits for specific
toxicants will be established as sufficient data
becomes available; and source control of toxic
substances will be encouraged.
District of Columbia
All
52
Toxic substances narrative: The waters of the
District shall be free from substances attributable to
point or non-point sources discharged in
concentrations that injure, are toxic to or produce
adverse physiological or behavioral responses in
humans, plants or animals.
Those criteria listed under the category of
Toxics shall be applicable only to protection of the
designated beneficial use for periods of less than
ninety-six (96) hours. The determination of the
criteria needed to protect the beneficial use for a
longer period of time shall be made on a case by case
basis and may be more stringent.
Class C (Aquatic Life, 0.003 mg/1
Waterfowl, Shore Birds,
And Water Oriented
Wildlife)
Class D (Public Water
Supply)
Class G (Groundwaters)
0.2 mg/1
Waters shall be free from toxicants and other
substances in concentrations that cannot be reduced to
levels safe for distribution by the existing or
presently proposed water treatment facilities which
use these waters.
Waters shall be free from toxicants and other
substances in concentrations which might present a
health hazard or render the groundwaters unusable.
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State and ¥ater Use Cyanide Criteria Values
Guam53
All General Criteria: All waters shall Be free from
substances, conditions or combinations thereof
attributable to domestic, commercial and industrial
discharges or agricultural, construction and land-use
practices or other human activities that are toxic or
harmful. to humans, animals, plants or desirable
aquatic life.
Analytical testing methods for these criteria shall be
in accordance with the most recent editions of
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater (APHA, AWWA, WPCF), Methods for Chemical
Analysis of Water and Wastes (U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency), and other methods acceptable to
GEPA and possessing adequate procedural precision and
accuracy.
Effects of toxic or other deleterious substances at
levels or combinations sufficient to be toxic or
harmful to human, animal, plant or aquatic life or in
amounts sufficient to interfere with any beneficial
use of the water, shall be evaluated as a minimum, by
use of a 96-hour bioassay as described, in the most
recent edition of Standard Methods for the Examination
of .Water and . Wastewater. Survival of test organisms
shall not be less than that of controls which utilize
appropriate water. Failure to determine the presence
of toxic substances by this method shall not preclude
determination of excessive levels of toxic substances
on the basis of other criteria or methods.
All Toxic substances narrative: In order to provide
maximum protection for the propagation of fish and
wildlife, concentrations of toxic substances
(persistent or non-persistent, cumulative or
non-cumulative); (a) shall not exceed 0.05 of the
96-hour LC..Q at any time or place, nor should the
24-hour average concentration exceed 0.01 of the
96-hour LC5n or» (*>) shall not exceed levels
calculated By multiplying the appropriate application
factor by the 96-hour LC5Q values determined by using
the most sensitive species of aquatic organism
affected. Whichever value (a or b) is less shall be
the maximum allowable concentration, unless this value
exceeds the Maximum Numerical Limit, . then the
numerical limit shall constitute the maximum allowable
concentration.
NOTE: Whenever natural concentrations of any toxic
substance or element occur and exceed the limits
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State and Water Use Cyanide Criteria Values
Mariana Islands
established in these standards, this greater
concentration shall constitute the limit, provided
that this natural concentration was not directly
affected by man-induced causes.
All Maximum Application
cone, level factor
mg/1 ug/1
0.001 1.0 0.10
Free from toxic or other deleterious substances at
levels or in combinations sufficient to be toxic or
harmful to human, animal, plant, or aquatic life, or
in amounts sufficient to interfere with any beneficial
use of the water.
All Surface Waters Toxic substances narrative: Criteria for toxic
substances are given as either a maximum concentration
or are determined by multiplying the stated
application factor by the concentration determined to
be lethal to 50% of the most sensitive indigenous
organism after 96 hours of exposure (96 LCco). The 96
LC50 values shall be determined by using the bioassay
procedures consistent with those described in the
latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater.
The 96 LCcQ values shall be determined by using the
most sensitive indigenous organism to the substance in
question. When both an application factor and a
maximum concentration are given, the lesser of the two
resulting concentrations shall constitute the water
quality standards.
General Toxic Standards: No substance or combination
of substances including oil and petroleum products
shall be present in surface water in amounts that
exceed 0.01 times the 96 LCcQ concentration unless it
can be demonstrated to the Department that a higher
concentration has no adverse effect, chronic or acute,
on the intended uses of the water body in question.
General Considerations: Analytical testing methods
for these criteria shall be in accordance with the
most recent editions of Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater, and other methods
published by knowledgeable authorities and possessing
adequate procedural precision and accuracy.
Effects of toxic or other deleterious substances
at levels or combinations sufficient to interfere with
any beneficial use of the water, shall be evaluated as
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
a minimum by the use of a 96-hour bioassay as
described in the most recent editions of Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastevater. Survival of test organisms shall not be
less than that in controls which utilize appropriate
water. Failure to determine presence of toxic
substances by this method shall not preclude
determination of excessive levels of toxic substances
on the basis of other criteria or methods.
Pollutant discharges shall be controlled so as to
protect not only the waters receiving the discharge
directly, but also those waters into which the initial
receiving waters may flow.
Puerto Rico
55
SB, SC (Coastal Waters) 20.0 ug/1
SD (Surface Waters) 200.0 ug/1
All
Toxic substances narrative: The waters of Puerto Rico
shall not contain any substance in a concentration
which is toxic or which produces undesirable
physiological responses in human, fish or other animal
life, and plants.
The waters of Puerto Rico shall not contain two or
more substances whose combination is toxic or which
will produce chronic or other undesirable
physiological responses in humans, fish or other
animal life and plants.
Trust Territory
All
.56
Free from substances and conditions attributable to
the activities of man that may be toxic or cause
irritation to humans, animals, or plants.
Marine
Limit Factor
1
ug/1
0.1
Class 1
Limit Factor
5.0 ug/1 0.05
Class 2
Limit Factor
5.0 ug/1 0.05
Toxic substances narrative: Criteria for toxic
substances are given as either a maximum concentration
or are determined by multiplying the stated
application factor by the concentration determined to
0£ of the most sensitive indigenous
96 hours of exposure (96 LC). 96 LC
be determined by using bioassay
be lethal to
organism after
values shall
procedures consistent with those described in the
latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater. 96 LC 50 values shall be
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State and Water Use
Cyanide Criteria Values
determined by using the most sensitive indigenous
organism to the substance in question. When both an
application factor and a maximum concentration are
given, the lesser qf the two shall constitute the
water quality standard.
No substance or combination of substances shall
be present in surface waters in amounts that exceed
0.01 .times the 96 LC-Q concentration unless it can be
demonstrated to the Board that a higher concentration
has no adverse effect, chronic or acute, on the
intended uses of the water body in question.
General considerations: (1) All methods of sample
collection, preservation, and analysis used to
determine compliance with these standards shall be in
accordance with those specified in the current edition
of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater or methods specified by the EPA in 40 CFR
Part 136, as appropriate.
Samples should be collected at approximately
equal intervals and under those conditions of tide,
rainfall, and time of day when pollution is most
likely to be a maximum.
(2) Whenever natural conditions are of a lower
quality than an assigned water quality criteria, the
natural conditions shall constitute the water quality
criteria.
(3) Whenever 2 numeric criteria are in conflict,
the more stringent criteria shall constitute the water
quality criteria.
(4) Pollutant discharges to either surface or
ground waters shall be controlled so as to protect not
only the receiving water but also those waters into
which the initial receiving waters may flow.
Virgin Islands
All
57
All surface waters shall be free of substances
attributable to municipal, industrial, or other
discharges or wastes in concentrations or combinations
which are toxic or which produce undesirable
physiological responses in human, fish, and other
animal life, and plants.
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