United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-88-033
September 1988
State Water Quality
Standards Summary:
Alabama
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DISCLAIMER
the hiS
.r A o
Secondary information sources wer"e uS2P? (C°ntract 68-03-3534).
in this document. Each sllll was «i£n !° ComPlle data presented
and provide comments on a draft of th?S ?«* °PP°f tUnlty to review
no event shall either the United SiJ ^formation document. in
responsibility or liabilitJ fni , States or Battelle have any
the information "'
an re. nordoe .
otherwise represent in any wav «£'. either warrant or
or applicability of tSe cLSJts SeJeof"^' ade^acy> efficacy,
The
State. copies of St w.Slitv^^J^W^^ble to tha
from the State's Water Pollen cl^ ^\may be obtained
equivalent. -^oxiurion Control Agency or its
Additiona! information may also be obtained from the:
Standards Branch
202-475-7315
National Technical Information Service
5285 Front Royal Road
Springfield, Virginia 22161
703-487-4650
The NTIS order number is: PB8Q-141fiSQ
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ALABAMA
Responsible Agency:
Departsent of Environmental Management
1751 Federal Drive
Montgoaery
205-271-7825
Standards
James Mclndoe
36109
Available From
State
James
Contact:
Hclndoe
Mater Division
Aiabaia Dept. of Environmental «g§t.
1751 Federal Drive
Montgomery 36109 205-271-7826
State Contact:
Nontgotery
205-271-7826
Fee:
36109
none
Mailing List: yes
State Narrative Language For: An tidegradation
The purpose and intent of the water quality standards is to conserve the Haters of the State of Alabama and to
pro ect saintain and improve the quality thereof for public Hater supplies for the o i i
^ 1"V»V« **•"•:, agricultural, industrial, recreational J oEher i . n-
e the prevention' abateient and contro1 °f ne« °r **•&
and other areas "hich
be
thajf tab;ished "V the sta«d^"s as of the effective date of such standards sha
at that high quality water provided that the Commission has the authority to approve a new
hi9h quality Mtfir upon de-Qnst"tio" that «* ««i«. "
(1)
In no case .ill developients constituting a nen or increased source of pollution to high quality
" ^ °er 6 " tha" th6 hihS5t 3nd °f treatient '
°f theraal pollution 5ha11 assure that ^ch release
not lipair the propagation of a balanced indigenous population of fish and aquatic life
in applying these policies and requirements, the State of Alabama nill recognize and protect the inter-
«-« '- S-t fra governaent Toward this end the Commission Hill consult and cooperate nith the Environ-
ae,,tai Protection Agency on all latters affecting the Federal interest.
State Narrative Language For: Toxics
state waters shall be free froa substances attributable to sewage, industrial nastes or other nastes in
concentrations or cosbinations nhich are toxic or hariful to human, animal or aaquatic life to the extent
coomsensurate with the designated usage of such waters.
State Narrative Language For: Free From
A. State waters shall be free froi substances attributable to sewage, industrial Hastes or other wastes that
,,11 settle to fori bottom deposits which are unsightly, putrescent, or interfere directly or indirectly with
any classified water use.
S. State waters shall be free -froa floating debris, oil, scua, and other floating materials attributable to
sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes in amounts sufficient to be unsightly or interfere directly or
indirectly with any classified water use.
C. State .waters shall be free from substances attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes in
concentrations or coabinations which are toxic or harmful to human, animal or'aquatic life to the extent
comeensurate with the designated usage of such Haters.
State Narrative Language For: Low Flow
Agricultural and Industrial Hater Supply ( Industrial Operations 4 Navigation
This category includes watercourses in nhich natural flow is interaittent and non-existent during droughts and'
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ALABAMA
which aay, of necessity receive treated wastes fro« existing lunicipalities and industries, both now and in
the future. In such instances, recognition must be given to the lack of opportunity for mixture of the
treated wastes with the receiving streai for purposes of coipliance. It is also understood in considering
waters for this classification that urban runoff or natural conditions eay impact any waters so classified.
State Narrative Language For: Mixing Zones
In saking any tests or analytical determinations to deteraine compliance or non-compliance with water quality
criteria, sasples shall be collected in such manner and at such locations approved by a duly authorized
representative of the receiving water after reasonable opportunity for dilution and lixture with the wastes
discharged thereto. Mixing zones, i.e., that portion of the receiving waters where mixture of effluents and
natural waters take place, shall not preclude passage of free-swimming and drifting aquatic organisms to the
extent that their populations are significantly affected.
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ALABAMA
Swiifling and Other
Whole Body Kater-
Contact Sports
Shellfish Harvesting
Fish and wildlife
Agricultural and
Industrial Hater
Supply
Industrial
Operations
Source of water supply for drinking or food-processing
Classifications:
Public Hater Supply ' Best Usage of Waters:
purposes.
Conditions Related to Best Usage: The waters, if subjected to treatment appr-
oved by he State Departient of Public Health equal to coagulation, sedimenta-
tion, filtration and disinfection, with additional treatment if necessary to
remove naturally present iipurities, and which ieet the requirements of the
State Department of Public Health, mil be considered safe for drinking or food-
processing purposes.
Navigation
Best Usage of Haters: Swiwing and other whole body water-contact sports.
Conditions Related to Best Usage: The waters, under proper sanitary supervision
by the controlling health authorities, will ieet accepted standards of water
quality for outdoor swimsing places and will be considered satisfactory for
swinaing and other whole body water-contact sports. The quality of waters will
also be suitable for the propagation of fish, wildlife and aquatic life. The
quality of salt waters and estuarine waters to which this classification is
assigned will be suitable for the propagation and harvesting of shritp and crabs
Best Usage of Haters: Propagation and harvesting of shellfish for sale or use
as a food product.
Conditions Related to Best Usage: Waters will meet the sanitary and bacteri-
ological standards included in the latest edition of the National Shellfish
Sanitation Program Manual of Operations, Sanitation of Shellfish Browing Areas,
published by the Public Health Service, U.S. Departient of Health, Education,
and Welfare, and the requireaents of the State Department of Public Health.
The waters will also be of a quality suitable for the propagation of fish and
other aquatic life, including shrimp and craba.
Best Usage of Waters: Fishing, propagation of fish, aquatic life, and wildlife,
and other usage except for stueaing and water-contact sports or as a source of
water supply for drinking or food-processing purposes.
Best Usage of Waters: Agricultural irrigation, livestock watering, industrial
cooling and process water supplies, and any other usage, except fishing, bathing
, recreational activities, including water-contact sports, or as a source of
water supply for drinking or food-processing purposes.
Best Usage of Haters: Industrial cooling and process water supplies, and any
other usage, except fishing, bathing, recreational activities including water-
contact sports or as a source of water supply for drinking or food-processing
purposes.
Conditions Related to Best Usage: The waters, except for natural impurities
which say be present therein, will be suitable for industrial cooling waters and
xill be suitable after special treatnent, as may be needed under each
particular circumstance, for industrial process water supplies. The waters will
also be suitable for other uses for which waters of lower quality will be
satisfactory.
Best Usage of Haters: Navigation and related activities.
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ALABAMA
fll1
Public Katsr Su.. Sensing and Dt., Shellfish Harve..
Classes •
Physical
pK
L'PPer Valus 8.5 8.5 s 5
Lower Value 6>0 6<0 '
Dissolved Oxygen
". "«• ' -«• •'
Upper Value 90 F 90 F 90 F
Secondary Upper Liiit Narr. F F F
Teapsrature Change
Upper Value 5 F 5 F s c
— ...., **r sr 5r
Turbidity
Upper Value 50 Neph.
Nutrients
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Organics
Bacteria
fecal Colifora .
, . Narr. Narr. Narr.
Secondary Upper Liiit Narr. Narr.
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ALABAMA
*
Fish and Hildli., Agricultural an.. Industrial
Navigation
Physical
"PH
Upper Value
Lower Value
Dissolved Oxygen
Lower Value
Teiperature
Upper Value
Teeperature Change
Upper Value
Nutrients
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Qrganics
Bacteria
Fecal Culifon
Upper Value
' Secondary Upper Litit
8.5
6.0
5
90
5
ig/L
F
F
8.5
6.0
3.0
90
5
ppi
F
F
8.5
6.0
90 F
5 F
• 8.5
6.0
90
5
F
F
Narr.
Narr.
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