&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-88/020
September 1988
Water
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH)
Water Quality Standards
Criteria Summaries:
A Compilation
of State/Federal Criteria
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DISCLAIMER
**, ™ 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. "cacy,
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: PB89-141527
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INTRODUCTION
This digest is compiled to provide general information to the public as veil
as to Federal, State, and local officials. It contains excerpts from the
individual Federal-State water quality standards establishing pollutant
specific criteria for interstate surface 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).
This digest deals with pH and its use in State water quality criteria. The pH
is an indication of the degree of hydrogen ion concentration and hydrogen ion
activity. In natural conditions, pH is determined by weak and strong acids
and bases, and their salts. Toxicologically, pH can have certain adverse
effects on the physiology and development of many aquatic life forms. It can
also effect the degree of. toxicity of many chemicals by altering their
solubility and association with the hydrogen ions or other elements in water.
The 1986 Quality Criteria for Water recommends a criteria range of pH which
will provide protection from adverse effects for specific water uses.
Range
5-9
6.5-9.0
6.5-8.5
Domestic water supplies (welfare)
Freshwater aquatic life
Marine aquatic life (but not more than 0.2 units outside of normally
occurring range) :
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.
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.
43 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards, Texas Water Commission, Rule
Change, 1988.
44 Utah Standards of Quality for Waters of the State, Wastewater Disposal
Regulations: Part II, State of Utah Department of Health: Division of
Environmental Health, 1988.
45 Vermont Water Quality Standards, State of Vermont Water Resource Board,
1987.
51 Water Quality Standards for American Samoa, 1984, pp. 20-25.
53 Revised Guam Water Quality Standards, Guam Environmental Protection
Agency, 1984, pp. 8 + 23.
54 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Marine and Fresh Water Quality
Standards, Commonwealth Register, Vol. 8 No. 5, 1986, p. 4464.
56 Marine and Fresh Water Quality Standard Regulations, Trust Territory,
1986, p. 6.
57 Environmental Laws and Regulations of the Virgin Islands, 1985.
ENVIRONMENT REPORTER. The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. Washington, D.C.
1 Pages 701:1003, June 26, 1981, 701:1004-1010, September 5, 1980
2 Pages 706:1003, 1007, November 7, 1986
3 Page 711:1017, February 7, 1986
4 Page 716t1004, August 30, 1985
7 Pages 731:1004-1008, May .14, 1982
8 Pages 736:1007-1010, March 28, 1986
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9 Pages 746:1010.2-1010.3, September 5, 1986, 746:1011-1014. January 21, 1983
10 Pages 751:0504-0505, December 27, 1985
11 Pages 756:1003-1008, September 20, 1985 . . •
12 Page 761:1027, January 23, 1987
13 'Pages 766:0505-0506, 0514, March 28, 1986, 766:0507-0508, May 25, 1984
14 Pages 771:1003-1006, August 10, 1984, 771:1006.1-1006.4, November 29,
1985, 771:1007-1012, December 26, 1980, 771:1013-1019, January 10, 1986
15 Pages 776:1005-1006, February 13, 1987
16 Page 781:1011, March 27, 1987 -....'
17 Pages 786:1008-1009, November 29, 1985
18 Page 791:1006, January 18, 1985
19 Pages 796:0104-0108, April 18, 1986
20 Pages 801:1001-1003, April 19, 1985
21 Pages 806:1002-1003, June 21, 1985
22 Page 811:1003, February 13, 1987
23 Pages S16:1006-100'9, June 25, 1982
24 Page 821:1002, October 25, 1985
25 Pages 826:1001-1004, May 9, 1986, 826:1004.1, February 7, 1986, 826:1005,
1008, June 21, 1985 . : , ".•'•••. ^ ;
26 Pages 831:1004-1009, April 19, 1985
27 Page 836:1003, March 27, 1987
28 Pages 841:1001-1002, 1011, February 22, 1985, 841:1003-1010, June 29, 1984
29 Page 846:1004, October 5, 1984
30 Pages 851:1009-1024, April 11, 1986
32 Pages 861:1007-1012, November 29, 1985
33 Pages 866:1009, 1012, August 29, 1986
34 Pages 871:1002-1004, June 7; 1985
36 Page 881:1005, September 26, 1986
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37 Pages 886:1005-1047, May 9, 1986
38 Pages 891:1004-1006, August 9, 1985
39 Pages 901:1001-1005, August 9, 1985
40 Pages 906:1006-1009, November 29, 1985
41 Pages 911:1005-1007, March 22, 1985
42 Pages 916:0541-0544, September 7, 1984, 916:1002, April 28, ,1?7.8;
46 Page 936:1002, February 28, 1986
47 Pages 941:1003-1005, October 21, 1983
48 Pages 946:1003-1009, August 10, 1984
49 Page 951:1002, March 13, 1987
50 Page 956:1006, July, 5, 1985
52 Pages 741:1001, 1003, March 28, 1986 r-.,..,..
55 Pages 896:1003-1004, December 23, 1983
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KEY
PWS Public Water Supply
F&WL Fish and Wildlife
Agr. Agricultural
Ind. Industrial
Rec. Recreation
Nav. Navigation
mg/1 Milligrams per Liter
SAR Sodium Absorption Ratio
(For explanation of use classifications, see EPA publication, General Stream
Use Designations.)
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State and Water Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Alabama
PWS, Swimming, F&WL,
*A&I, *IO, and Nav.
Swimming, F&WL, *A&I,
*IO, and Nav.
Shellfish
Sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes shall not
cause the pH to deviate more than one unit from the
normal or natural pH nor be less than 6.0 nor greater
than 8.5.
For estuarine and salt waters to which this
classification is. assigned, wastes as described herein
shall not cause the pH to deviate more than one unit
from the normal or natural pH nor be less than 6.5 or
greater than 8.5.
Sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes shall not
cause the pH to deviate more than one unit from normal
or natural pH nor be less than 6.5 nor greater than
8.5.
*In the State of Alabama, there are two separate
classifications:
1. Agricultural & Industrial Water Supply (A&I)
2. Industrial Operations (10)
Alaska^
Fresh Waters
PWS
Agr.
Aquaculture
Ind.
Rec. (Contact)
Rec. (Secondary)
F&WL, Shellfish
"Marine Waters
Aquaculture
6.0 - 8.5 not vary more than 0.5 pH unit from natural
condition
5.0 - 9.0
6.8 - 8.5 for dairy sanitation
6.5 - 8.5 not vary more than 0.5 pH unit from natural
condition
5.0 - 9.0
6.5 - 8.5 not vary more than 0.5 pH unit from natural
condition;
If the natural condition pH is outside this range
substances shall not be added that cause an increase
in buffering capacity of the water.
5.0 - 9.0
6.5 - 9.0 not vary more than 0.5 pH unit from natural
condition
6.5 - 8.5 not vary more than 0.1 pH unit from natural
condition
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State and ¥ater Use
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Seafood
Processing
Ind.
Rec. (Contact)
Rec. (Secondary)
F&WL, Shellfish
Harvesting for
Consumption of Raw
Mollusks or Other
Raw Aquatic Life
6.0 - 8.5 not vary more than 0.5 pH unit from natural
condition
5.0 - 9.0
u
6.5 - 8.5 If the natural condition pH is outside this
range substances shall not be added that cause an
increase in buffering capacity of the water.
5.0 - 9.0
6.5 - 8.5 not vary more than 0.1 pH unit from natural
condition
6.0 - 8.5 not vary more than 0.5 pH unit from natural
condition
Arizona"
DWS
FBC
IHC
A&W
Agl
AgL
no standard NS
6.5-9.0 0.5 maximum change
6.5 - 9.0 0.5 due to the
6.5 - 9.0 0.5 activities of
4.5 - 9.0 NS man
6.4 - 9.0 NS
DWS = Domestic Water Source
FBC = Full Body Contact
IHC = Incidental Human Contact
A&W « Aquatic & Wildlife
Agl * Agricultural Irrigation
AgL - Agricultural Livestock Watering
NS = No Standard
Arkansas
All
6.0-9.0 Fluctuation not more than 1.0 pH unit
over a period of 24 hours.
The pH shall not go out of the range due to wastes
discharged to the receiving waters.
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State and Water Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
California
(1A) Klamath River
Basin
(IB) North Coastal
Basin
(2) San Francisco Bay
Basin
(3) Central Coastal
Basin
(4A) Santa Clara River
Basin
(4B) Los Angeles River
Basin
(5A,B,C) Sacramento-
San Joaquin Delta
The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised
above 8.5.
Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed
0.2 units in waters with designated marine (MAR) or
saline (SAL) beneficial uses nor 0.5 units within the
range • specified above in fresh waters with designated
COLD or WARM beneficial uses.
(Same as 1A)
(Same as 1A)
Objectives for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays
and Estuaries
The pH shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised
above 8.3 in waters with designated REC-1, REC-2, AGR,
or MUN beneficial uses. For waters with designated
aquatic habitat protection, including WARM, COLD, MAR,
and BIOL, and for waters not otherwise mentioned, the
pH shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above
8.5.
Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed
0.2 in waters with designated MAR beneficial uses, nor
0.5 in fresh waters with designated COLD or WARM
beneficial uses. r
(Same as 1A)
Objectives for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays
and Estuaries
(Same as 1A)
The following water quality objectives apply to all
inland surface waters (excluding the Delta) of the
basins, and objectives that apply only to specific
surface water bodies.
The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised
above 8.5. Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall
not exceed 0.5 in fresh waters with designated COLD or
WARM beneficial uses.
The following water quality objectives apply to Goose
Lake: pH shall be less than 9.5 and greater than 7.5
at all times.
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State and ¥ater Use
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
(5D) Tulare Lake Basin
(6A) North Lahontan
Basin
(6B) South Lahontan
Basin
(7A) West Colorado
River Basin
(7B) East Colorado
River Basin
(8) Santa Ana River
Basin
The following specific numeric objectives apply to the
waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. All
waters lying within the legal boundaries of the Delta
are covered by these objectives unless otherwise
specified.
The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised
above- 8.5. Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall
not exceed 0.5 in fresh waters with designated COLD or
WARM beneficial uses.
The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised
above 8.3 nor changed at any time more than 0.3 from
normal ambient pH levels.
The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised
above 8.5, except in Eagle Lake where the pH shall not
be depressed below 8.0 nor raised above 9.5 and in
Lake Tahoe where the pH shall not be depressed below
7.0 nor raised above 8.4.
Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed
0.5 units in fresh waters with designated COLD or>,_ WARM
beneficial uses.
The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised
above 8.5.
Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed
0.5 units in fresh waters with designated COLD or WARM
beneficial uses.
Changes in normal ambient pH levels attributable to
controllable water .quality factors shall not exceed
0.5 units; and shall not depress the receiving water
pH below 6.5 units nor raise it above 8.5 units.
Changes in normal ambient pH levels attributable to
controllable water quality factors shall not exceed
0.5 .units; and shall not depress the receiving water
pH below 6.5 units nor raise it above 8.5 units.
(1) All bay and estuary waters:
,, As a result of controllable water quality factors,
-. the - pH shall not be, depressed below 7.0 units nor
raised above 8.6 units.
•Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not
..exceed 0.2 units.
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State and Water Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
(9) San Diego Basin
(2) All inland surface vaters:
(a) The pH of all water except Baldwin. Lake shall
;. not be depressed below 6.5 units nor Raised-above
8.5 units as a result of controllable water quality
factors. , , .,
(b) The pH of Baldwin Lake shall-np.t be depressed
below 6.5 units nor raised above" 8.9 units as a
result of controllable water quality factors.
(c) .Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not
exceed 0.5 units in any inland surface water.
Changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed
0.2 units in waters with designated marine (MAR) or
saline (SAL) beneficial uses nor 0.5 units in fresh
waters with designated COLD or WARM beneficial uses.
In bays and estuaries the pH shall not be depressed
below7.0 nor raised above 8.5.
In inland surface waters the pH shall not be depressed
below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5.
Ocean Plan
The pH shall not be changed at any time more than 0.2
units from that which occurs naturally.
Colorado
Recreational:
Class 1; Primary
Contact
Class 2; Secondary
Contact
Aquatic Life;
Class 1; Cold Water
Biota
Class I; Warm Water
Biota
Domestic Water Supply:
6.5-9.0 units
6.5-9.0 units
6.5-9.0 units
6.5-9.0 units
5.0-9.0 units
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State and ffater Use
Connecticut
Inland Water
Class AA PtfS
Class A PtfS/Swim
Class B Swim/Rec./Agr./Ind./F&WL
Class C F&WL/Ind./Nav.
Class D
Coastal and Marine Vater
Class SA Shellfish/Swim
Class SB Swim/Rec./Ind./F&WL
Class SC F&WL/Shellfish/Nav./Ind.
Class SD
Groundwaters
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Class GA PtfS
Class GAA PtfS
Delaware
All
8
as naturally occurs
as naturally occurs
6.5 - 8.0
6.0. - 8.5
Not specified
6.8 - 8.5
6.8 - 8.5
6.5 - 8.5
Not specified
As naturally occurs or as may result from normal
agricultural, horticultural silviculture, lawn
maintenance or construction activity provided all
reasonable controls are used.
pH shall be between 6.5 >- 8.5 unless due to natural
conditions. Where outside the stipulated range due to
natural conditions, shall not vary more than 57, due to
human-induced changes.
ERES Waters: Where pH falls outside the range from
6.5 to 8.5 due to natural conditions, no human-induced
change shall be allowed.
Alkalinity - Shall not vary from natural conditions:
(a) by more than 25% where >20 mg/1 as CaC03; or
(b) where less than or equal to 20 mg/1.
Florida3
All
6.0 - 8.5 pH - shall not vary more than one unit
above or below natural background provided that the pH
is not lowered to less than 6 units or raised above
8.5 units. If natural background is less than 6
units, the pH shall not vary below natural background
,or vary more than one unit above natural background.
If natural background is higher than 8.5 units, the pH
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State aad Vater Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Class I PWS
Class II Shellfish
Class III Rec.
Class IV Agr.
Class V Nav.&Ind.
Class I PWS
Class II Shellfish
Class III Rec.
shall not vary above natural background or vary more
than one unit belov natural background.
Alkalinity
no less than 20 mg/1 as CaCOS
Not specified
no less than 20 mg/1 as CaCOS
not more than 600 milligrams (mg)/l as CaCOS
Not specified
pj
Not specified
pH - shall not vary more than one unit above or below
natural background of coastal waters as defined in
17-3.05(l)(c), F.A.C., or more than two-tenths unit
above or below natural background of open waters as
defined in 17-3.05(l)(c), F.A.C., provided that the pH
is not lowered to less than 6.5 units or raised above
8.5 units. If natural background is less than 6.5
units the pH shall not vary below natural background
or vary more than one unit above natural background
for coastal waters or more than two-tenths unit above
natural background for open waters. If natural
background is higher than 8.5 units, the pH shall not
vary above natural background or vary more than one
unit below natural background of coastal waters, or
more than two-tenths unit below natural background of
open waters.
pH - shall not vary more than one unit above or below
natural background of predominantly fresh waters and
coastal waters as defined in 17-3.05(l)(c), F.A.C., or
more than two-tenths unit above or below natural
background of open waters as defined in 17-3.05(1)(c),
F.A.C., provided that the pH is not lowered to less
than 6 units in predominantly fresh waters, or less
than 6.5 units in predominantly marine waters, or
raised above 8.5 units. If natural background is less
than 6 units, in predominantly fresh waters or 6.5
units in predominantly marine waters, the pH shall not
vary below natural background or vary more than one
unit above natural background of predominantly fresh
waters and coastal waters, or more than two-tenths
unit above natural background of open waters. If
natural background is higher than 8.5 units, the pH
shall not vary above natural background or vary more
than one unit below natural background of
predominantly fresh waters and coastal waters, or more
than two-tenths unit below natural background of open
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State and Water Use
Class IV Agr.
Class V Nav.&Ind.
Georgia10
PWS
Rec.
F&WL,Shellfish
Agr.
Ind.
Nav.
Havaii11
Streams
Elevated Wetlands
Estuaries (except
Pearl Harbor)
Pearl Harbor
Embayments
Open Coastal Waters
Oceanic Waters
12
Idaho
All
Illinois13
General Standards
Secondary Contact &
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
waters.
Not specified
pH 5.0-9.5 except certain swamp waters which may be
as low as 4.5
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 8.5
5.5 - 8.0 pH Units shall not deviate more than 0.5
units from ambient conditions for all seven classes.
4.5 - 7.0
7.0-8.6
6.8 - 8.8
8.1
8.1
8.1
Values for all waters are to be within the range of
6.5 - 9.0 !
pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 9.0 except for
natural causes.
pH shall be within the range of 6.0 to 9.0 except for
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State and Water Use
Indigenous Aquatic
Life
Lake Michigan
Effluent Standards
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
natural causes.
pH shall be within the range of 7.0 to 9.0 except for
natural causes.
(a) Except as provided below no person shall cause or
allow -the pH in any effluent to be outside the range
of 6.0 - 9.0.
(b) The pH limitation is not subject to the averaging
rule contained in Section 304.104 (a).
(c) Effluents which are monitored so as to provide a
permanent, continuous pH record may be outside of the
listed range for a total of not more than fifteen
minutes in any day provided the excursion is
accidental and less than one pH unit above or below
the listed range.
(d) The pH 9 maximum limitation may be exceeded if the
elevated pH level:
1) is
lagoons,
or
caused entirely by algae in treatment
in which case there is no upper pH limit;
2) is caused by the addition of alkali in the waste
water treatment process to cause precipitation of
barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese,
zinc, or other materials requiring such elevated pH
for treatment, in which case the upper limit shall
be pH 10 and subsection (c) shall not apply to the
upper limit.
(e) The burden of proving that paragraph (c) or (d)
applies is upon the discharger.
Indiana14
Aquatic Life
Lake Michigan: Open
Vater and Contiguous
Harbor Areas
Grand Calumet River;
Indiana Harbor
No pH values below 6.0 nor above 9.0, except daily
fluctuations which exceed pH 9.0 and are correlated
with photosynthetic activity, shall be permitted.
No pH values below 7.5 nor above 8.5, except daily
fluctuations which exceed pH 8.5 and are correlated
with photosynthetic activity, may be tolerated.
No pH values below 6.0 nor above 9.0, except daily
fluctuations which exceed pH 9.0 and are correlated
with photosynthetic activity, shall be permitted.
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State and ¥ater Use
Natural Spawning,
Rearing or Imprinting
Areas.for Salmonid
Fishes
Migration Routes
for Salmonid Fishes
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
1. Trail Creek and tributaries upstream of U.S.
Highway 35.
2. Little Calumet River and tributaries upstream
(easterly) of the Wagner Road Bridge. The Wagner Road
Bridge is located downstream of Chesterton at the
southeast corner of the southwest quarter, Section 26,
T37N, R6W, Porter County, Indiana.
3. Kintzele Ditch (Black Ditch)
downstream to Lake Michigan.
from Beverly Drive
4. Salt Creek
Calumet River.
above its confluence with the Little
5. Galena River and its tributaries LaPorte County
pH: No values below 6.0 or above 9.0, except daily
fluctuations which exceed pH 9.0 and are correlated
with photosynthetic activity, may be tolerated.
1. Trail Creek from Highway 35 downstream to Lake
Michigan.
2. Little Calumet River from Wagner Road Bridge
downstream to Lake Michigan via Burns Ditch.
3. The St. Joseph River and its tributaries in St.
Joseph County from the Twin Branch Dam in Mishavaka
downstream to the Indiana-Michigan State Line.
pH: No values below 6.0 or above 9.0, except daily
fluctuations which exceed pH 9.0 and are correlated
with photosynthetic activity, may be tolerated.
Iowa
All
15
6.5 - 9.0 with a maximum
result of a waste discharge
change o'f 0.5 units as a
Kansas
All
16
Artificial sources shall not cause the pH of surface
waters to be below 6.5 nor above 8.5.
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State and Water Use
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Kentucky17
Aquatic Life and
Recreation
Louisiana
All
18
Maine19
Class A
Class B-l
Class B-2
Class C
Class D
Class SA
Class SB1
Class SB2
Class SC
Class SD
•jn
Maryland^
All Classes
Massachusetts
Inland Waters
Class A PWS
Class B Swim, F&WL
21
6.0 - 9.0 and shall not fluctuate more than one (1) pH
unit over a period of 24 hours
6.0 - 9.0 unless natural conditions exceed this range
or where otherwise specified. No discharge of wastes
shall cause the pH of the waterbody to vary by more
than one pH unit within the specified pH range for
that segment where the discharge occurs.
For criteria specific segments, see BNA Environment
Reporter pages 791:1021 - 1056.
None which would be in a range that would be harmful «
to humans or aquatic life
6.0-8.5
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 8.5
No range that would impair uses
6.7 - 8.5
6.7 - 8.5
6.7-8.5
6.7 - 8.5
No range that would impair uses
6.5 -8.5
as naturally occurs
6.5 - 8.0; not more than 0.2 units outside naturally
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State and Water Use
Class C F&WL, Rec.
ma.
Class SB
Class SC
Michigan'
All
22
Acidity-Alkalinity (oH) Criteria
occurring range
6.5 - 9.0; not more than 0.2 units outside naturally
occurring range
- 8.5; not more than 0.2 units outside naturally
occurrring range
Same as SA
Same as SA
R 323.1053. Hydrogen ion concentration.
Rule 53. The hydrogen ion concentration expressed as
DH shall be maintained vithin the range of 6.5 to 9.0
in all vaters of the state. Any artificially induced
variation in the natural pH shall remain vithin this
range and shall not exceed 0.5 units of pH.
Minnesota
23
Class A
Class B
Class C
Industrial
Class A
Class B
Class C
Agricultur<
Class A
Class B
Navigation
PH
pH
pH
Consumption
PH
pH
pH
2 and Wildlife
PH
pH
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
- 8.5
- 9.0
- 9.0
- 8.5
- 9.0
- 9.0
- 8.5
- 9.0
and Waste Disposal
Limited Resource Value Waters
pH 6.0 - 9.0
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State and Water Use
Mississippi24
PWS, Shellfish, Rec.,
F&WL
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
The normal pH of the waters shall be 6.0 - 8.5 and
shall not be caused to vary more than 1.0 unit;
however, should the background pH be outside the
limits, it shall not be changed more than 1.0 unit
unless after the change the pH will fall within the
limits, and the Commission determines that there will
be no detrimental effect on stream usage as a result
of the greater pH change.
Missouri0
Effluent Limitations for;
Missouri and 6.0 - 9.0
Mississippi Rivers
Lakes and Reservoirs 6.0 - 9.0
Losing Stream 6.0 - 9.0
Wild and Scenic 6.0 - 9.0
Rivers and Ozark
National Scenic
Riverways and Drainage 6.0 - 9.0
All other waters
Montana26
Class
A-closed - PWS
A-l - PWS
pH: Effluents shall not cause pH to be outside the
range of 6.5 - 9.0 in waters of the state.
no change from natural pH
6.5 - 8.5
B-l.- PWS, Rec., F&WL, 6.5 - 8.5
Agr., Ind.
B-2 - PWS, Rec., F&WL, 6.1 - 9.0
Agr., Ind.
B-3 - PWS, Rec., F&WL, 6.5 - 9.0
Agr., Ind.
C^l - Rec., F&WL, Agr., 6.5 - 8.5
Ind.
£-2 - Rec., F&WL, Agr., 6.5 - 9.0
Ind.
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State and ¥ater Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
£-3 - Rec., F&WL, Agr., 6.5 - 9.0
Ind.
E - Agr., Ind. (non- 6.5 - 9.5
food)
In all cases except
Class E
Induced variation must be < 0.5 pH unit. Natural pH
outside the range must be maintained without change.
Natural pH above 7.0 shall be maintained above 7.0.
Nebraska'
All
27
6.5 - 9.0 unless pH values outside this range are due
to natural conditions.
Nevada"0
Classes A,B,& C 6.5 - 8.5 as a single value.
PWS, Agr., F&WL, Rec., differs for each basin.
Nav., Ind.
Annual median range
Class D Nav., F&WL,
Agr., Ind. (non-food)
Nev Haapshire
Class A
Class B
Class C
29
Nev Jersey
FW1
FW2
PL
SE
SC
.30
6.0 - 9.0
as naturally occurs
6.5 - 8.0 or as naturally occurs
6.0 - 8.5 or as naturally occurs
as naturally occurs
6.5 - 8.5
3.5 - 5.5 unless it is demonstrated that a pH level
outside this range is necessary to protect the
existing/designated uses.
6.5 - 8.5
Natural pH conditions shall prevail.
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State and Water Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Mainstern Delaware River and Delaware Bay
Zones 1C,ID,IE
Zones 2,3,4,5,6
Zone IE
Zone 2
Zones 3,4,5,6
New Mexico31
Coldwater Fishery
High Quality Coldwater
Fishery
Marginal Coldwater
Fishery
Primary Contact
Recreation
Warmwater Fishery
Nev York32
Class N
AA, A, B, C
D
6.0 - 8.5
6.5-8.5
Alkalinity
not < 20 mg/1
20 - 100 mg/1
20 - 120 mg/1
FW1 = Rec., F&WL
FW2 . F&WL, Rec., Agr., Ind., PVS
PL » (Pineland Waters) Cranberry bog water supply,
PWS, Rec., indigenous F&WL
SE
Rec.
(Saline Waters and Estuaries) F&WL, Shellfish,
SC = (Coastal Saline Waters) Shellfish, Rec., F&WL
Zones 1C, ID, IE = Agr., Ind., PWS, F&WL, Rec.
Zones 2, 3 = Same as Zone 1 plus Nav.
Zones 4, 5, 6 = Ind., F&WL, Rec., Nav.
6.6 -
6.6 -
6.6 -
6.6
6.0
8.8
8.8
9.0
8.8
9.0
Natural conditions
6.5 - 8.5
6.0 - 9.5
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State and ¥ater Use Acidi ty-Alkalini ty (pH) Cri teria
SA, SB, SC, SD, I
Normal range shall -not be extended by- more than
one-tenth (0.1) pH unit
A - Special (Inter-national Boundary waters)
6.7 - 8.5
Fresh Waters
Class"AA - PWS and'any other usages
Class A = PWS and any other usages
Class B * Rec. and any other usages except PWS
Class C = Fishing and any other uses except PWS
and Primary Contact Rec.
Class D = Secondary Contact Rec. but not Fish
Saline Waters
Class SA = Shellfish and Rec.
Class SB = Rec. and any other use except Shellfish
Class SC = Fishing and other uses except Shellfish and
Primary Contact Rec.
Class SD = All vaters not primarily for Rec.,
Shellfish, or Fish
Special Waters
Class A-Special = PWS, Rec., and other usages
Class I = Secondary Contact Rec. and any other usage
except Primary Contact Rec. and Shellfish
North Carolina
Fresh Waters
Tidal Salt Waters
pH shall be normal for waters in the area, which
generally shall range between 6.0 - 9.0 except that
swamp waters may have a low of 4.3.
pH shall be normal for the waters in the area, which
generally range between 6.8 - 8.5 except that swamp
waters may have a low of 4.3.
North Dakota 4
General Requirements 6.0 - 9.0
Class I Streams 7.0 - 8.5
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State and ¥ater Use
Class IA Streams
Class II Streams
Class III Streams
Ohio35
Aquatic Life Habit.
Lake Erie Outside
Excepted Areas
Ohio River
Nuisance Prevention
Oklahoma
F&WL
36
Oregon
37
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Same as above
6.0 - 9.0
Same as Class II
Class I = F&WL, Rec., Nav., PWS, Agr.
' Class•IA = Same as above
Class II = Same as above except PWS, Agr.
Class III = Ind., Agr.
6.5 - 9.0
pH 6.5 to 9.0 with no change within that range
attributable to man-induced conditions.
No pH value below 6.0 nor above 9.0.
6.5 - 9.0, acid mine drainage streams over sandstone
geotype are exempt from the pH criterion.
6.5 - 9.0 unless pH values outside this range are due
to natural conditions (no criteria given for other
water uses) .
North Coast-Lower Columbia Basin
Mid Coast Basin PH values shall not fall outside the following ranges:
Umpqua Basin Marine waters: 7.0-8,5
South Coast Basin Estuarine and fresh waters: 6.5 - 8.5
Rogue Basin
Willamette Basin
Sandy Basin
Hood Basin
Deschutes Basin " ,
John Day Basin
Umatilla Basin , ......
Main Stem of Columbia River: • 7.0:- 8.5 '.".:•;'•'.. "•'
All other Basin streams + waters: 6.5 - 8.5
Walla Walla Basin
6.5 - 8.5
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State and ¥ater Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Grande Rohde Basin
Main Stem Snake River: 7.0 - 9.0
All other Basin streams: 6.5 - 8.5
Powder Basin
All Basin Streams:
Halheur River Basin
Ovyhee Basin
Halheur Lake Basin
6.5 - 9.5
7.0 - 9.0
7.0 - 9.0
7.0 - 9.0
Goose and Summer Lakes Basin
Goose Lake: 7.5 - 9.5
All other Basin waters: 7.0 - 9.0
Klamath Basin
7.0 - 9.0
Pennsylvania 8
Depending on Stream and Water Use
Alkalinity
HkTI Equal to or > 20 mg/1 as CaCO-j, except where
natural conditions are less. Where discharges are to
waters vith 20 mg/1 or less alkalinity, the discharge
should not further reduce the alkalinity of the
receiving waters.
Alk2: not < 20 mg/1 as CaC03.
Alk,: Between 20 and 100 mg/1.
Alk^: Between 20 and 120 mg/1.
6.0
6.5
7.0
6.0
9.0
8.5
9.0
8.5
Rhode Island
Fresh Waters
Class A
Class B
39
as naturally occurs
6.5 - 8.0 or as naturally occurs
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State and Water Use
Class C
Class D
Sea Waters
Class SA
Class SB
Class SC
South Carolina40
Fresh Water
Class AA
Class A-TROUT
Class A (Svimming)
Class B-TROUT
Class B (PWS, F&WL)
Salt Water
Class SAA
Class SA (Shellfish)
Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 9.0
6.8 - 8.5
. 6.8 - 8.5
6.5 - 8.5
Class A = PVS
Class B = Agr.,Swim,F&WL
Class C = Rec., F&WL, Ind.
Class D = Fish migration
Class SA = Shellfish, Svim, F&WL
Class SB = Same as SA
Class SC = Rec., F&WL, Nav.
Class SB (Swimming)
Class SC (Fishing)
Natural Conditions
6.0 - 8.0
6.0 - 8.0
6.0 - 8.5
6.0 - 8.5
Natural Conditions
Shall not vary more than 3/10 of pH unit above or
below that of effluent-free waters in the same
geographical area having a similar total salinity,
alkalinity, and temperature, but not lower than 6.5 or
above 8.5.
Same as above except variance limited to 1/2 a pH
unit;
Same as above except variance 1 pH unit.
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State and Water Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
41
South Dakota
1) Domestic Water
Supply
>6.5 and <9.0 units
2) Cold Water Permanent >6.6 and <8.6
Fish
3) Cold Water Marginal >6.5 and <8.8
Fish
4) Warm Water Permanent >6.5 and <9.0
Fish
5) Warm Water Semiperm- >6.3 and <9.0
anent Fish
6) Warm Water Marginal >6.0 and <9.0
7) Immersion Recreation >6.5 and <8.3
8) Limited Contact Rec. >6.0 and <9.0
9) Wildlife Propagation >6.0 and <9.5
Stock Watering
10) Irrigation Waters Not Available
11) Commerce & Industry >6.0 and <9.5
42
Tennessee
Fish and Aquatic Life
Other Classes
(except Navigation)
Texas
.43
6.5 - 8.5 and shall not fluctuate more than 1.0 unit
in this range over a period of 24 hours.
6.0 - 9.0 and shall not fluctuate more than 1.0 unit
in this range over a period of 24 hours.
By Segment
Utah'
44
Domestic Source
(1C)
6.5 - 9.0
Recreation & Aesthetics 6.5 - 9.0
(2A, 2B)
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State and Water Use Acidity-Alkalinity (pH) Criteria
Aquatic Wildlife 6.5 - 9.0
(3A, 3B, 3G, 3D)
Agriculture (4) 6.5 - 9.0
Vermont
Class A Waters
Class B Waters
1. pH - No variation from background conditions
vithin the range of 6.5 and 8.0.
1. pH - Values shall be maintained within the range of
6.5 and 8.0. The change or rate of change in pH
either upward or downward resulting from the discharge
of wastes shall be controlled so as to prevent any
undue adverse effect on aquatic biota, fish or
wildlife.
Class C Waters
Virginia'
All
46
47
1. pH - Values shall be maintained within the range of
between 6.5 and 8.0. The change or rate of change in
pH either upward or downward resulting from the
discharge of wastes shall be . controlled so as to
prevent any undue adverse effect on aquatic biota,
fish or wildlife.
6.0 - 9.0
Washington
Class AA (Extraordinary)
Fresh
Marine
6.5 - 8.5 with a man-caused variation
7.0 - 8.5 within a range of less than 0.2 units
Class A (Excellent) and Class B(Good)
Fresh 6.5 - 8.5 with a man-caused variation
Marine
Class C (Fair)
Fresh
Marine
Lake Class
7.0 - 8.5 within a range of less than 0.5 units
6.5 - 9.0 with a man-caused variation
6.5 - 9.0 within a range of less than 0.5 units
no measurable change from natural conditions
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State and ¥ater Use Acidity-Alkalinity (nH> Criteria
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