&EFK
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Water '
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-S8-034
September 1988
State Water Quality
Standards Summary:
Arkansas
-------
-------
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: PB89-141667
-------
ft
-------
ARKANSAS
Responsible Agency:
Arkansas Dept. of Pollution Control and Ecology
8001 National Drive
Little Rock
501-562-7444
72209
Standards Available From:
Douglas Szenher
Cpnunications Coordinator
Arkansas Dept. of-Poll. Cont. 4 Ecology
8001 National Drive
Little Rock 72209
501-562-7444 Fee: none Hailing List: no
State Contact:
Hr. Vince filubaugh
Chief
Mater Division
Arkansas Dept. of Poll. Cont. & Ecology
8001 National Drive
Little Rock 72209 501-562-7444
State Contact:
Hr. John Biese
Chief Ecologist
Technical Services
Arkansas Dept. of Poll. Cont. & Ecology
8001 National Drive
Little Rock 72209 501-562-7444
State Narrative Language For: Antidegradation
A. Existing instreai water uses and the level of water quality necessary to protect the existing uses shall be
maintained and protected.
B. Where the quality of the Haters exceeds levels necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and
wildlife and recreation in and on the water, that quality shall be laintained and protected unless the State
finds, after full satisfaction the intergovernmental coordination and public participation provisions of the
State's continuing planning process, that allowing lower water quality is necessary to accommodate important
econosic or social development in the area in which the waters are located. In allowing such degradation or
lower water quality, the State shall assure water quality adequate to protect existing uses fully. Further
the State shall assure that (1) there shall be achieved the highest statutory and regulatory requienents for
all new and existing point sources and, (2) that the provisions of the Arkansas Hater Quality Hanageient Plan
be implemented with regard to nonpoint sources.
C. Where high quality waters constitute an outstanding State or National resource such as those waters
designated as extraordinary resource waters, ecologically sensitive or natural and scenic waterways, those
uses shall' be Maintained and protected by (1) water quality controls, (2) maintenance of natural flow regime,
(3! protection of instreaa habitat, and (4) pursuit of land management protective of the watershed. The
Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Ccmsission has responsibility for the regulation of the withdrawal of
water fros streass and reserviors, and such withdrawls are not within the juristiction of this regulation.
D. In those cases where potential water quality impairment associated with a thermal discharge is involved,
the antidegradation policy and iapleaenting method shall be consistent with Section 316 of the Act.
State Narrative Language For: Toxics
Toxic material shall not be present in receiving waters, after mixing, in such quantities as to be toxic to
huian, animal, planter 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 and/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 implementat-
ion strategy found in the Continuing Planning Process.
State Narrative Language For: Free From
A. All waters shall be free from substances attributed to man-caused point or nonpoint source discharges in
concentrations that produce undesirable aquatic life or result in the dominance of nuisance species.
B. True color shall not be increased in any waters to the extent that it will interfere with the present or
projected future uses of these waters.
C, Taste and odor producing substances shall be limited in receiving waters to concentrations that will not
interfere with the production of potable water by reasonable water treatment processes, or impart unpalatable
flavor to food, fish or result in offensive odors arising from the waters or otherwise interfere with the
reasonable use of the water.
AR-1
-------
ARKANSAS
D. Receiving waters shall have no distinctly visible solids, scui or foai of a persistent nature, nor shall
there be any formation of slime, bottom deposits or sludge banks.
E. Oil, grease or petrocheiical substances shall not be present in receiving waters to the extent that they
produce globules or other residue or any visible, colored fill on the surface, or coat the banks and/or
bottoss of the watercourses or adversely affect any of the associated biota.
F. Toxic materials shall not be present in receiving waters in such quantities as to be toxic to huian,
animal, plant or aquatic life or to interfere with the normal propagation, growth and survival of aquatic
biota.
State Narrative Language Fors Low Flow
Streai Flows - Specific standards are based upon the assumption that existing flow conditions in streais shall
continue without laterial change. The Mater Quality Standards shall apply at all times except during periods
when flows are less than the average minimum 7-day flow which occurs once in ten years. Streams with
regulated flow will be addressed on a case-by-case basis to maintain designated instream uses.
State Narrative Language For: Mixing Zones
The effects of wastes on the receiving stream shall be determined after the wastes have been thoroughly mixed
with the streai water, but consideration will also be given to the quality of the waste effluent in determin-
ing the adequacy of treatment. Outfall structures should be designed to minimize the extent of mixing zones
and in the larger streais the zone of lixing shall not exceed 1/4 of the cross sectional area and/or volume of
the streai flow. The retaining 3/4 of the streai shall be maintained as a zone of passage for swimming and
drifting organisis, and shall reiain of such quality that streai ecosystems are not significantly affected. •
In smaller streais, because of varying local physical and chemical conditions and biological phenomena, a
site-specific detenination shall be iade on the percentage of river width necessary to allow passage of
critical free-swi«ing and drifting organisis so that negligible or no effects are produced on their popula-
tions. As a guideline no tore than 2/3 the width of sialler streams should be devoted to mixing zones thus
leaving at least 1/3 free as a zone of passage. In lakes and reservoirs the size of mixing zones shall be
defined by the Department of Pollution Control and Ecology on an individual basis, and the area shall be kept
at a minimui.
Mixing zones shall not prevent free passage of fish or significantly affect aquatic ecosystems.
AR-2
-------
ARKANSAS
Classifications
Extraordinary
Recreational and
Aesthetic Value
This beneficial use is a combination of the characteristics of the watershed
expressed in the water quality and the riparian area.
Outstanding National
Resource Nater
Pri«ary Contact
Recreation
Secondary Contact
Recreation
Public Nater Supply
Industrial Hater
Supply
Agricultural Hater
Supply
Other Uses
Harmater Fishery
Coolnater Fishery
Trout Fishery
This beneficial use is for waters thought to constitute an outstanding national
resource, such as Haters of National and State Parks and Wildlife refuges and
Haters of exceptional ecological significance.
This beneficial use designateds Haters where secondary activities like boating,
fishing, or Hading are involved.
Designates Haters where secondary activities like boating, fishing, or wading
are involved.
Designates nater nhich is suitable, in its raw fort, to be utilized for a
public water supply. Conditioning or treatment lay be necessary prior to
distribution in a public water systei.
Designates water which is suitable for process or cooling purposes, fluality
criteria vary nith the specific type, of process involved and the nater supply
•ay require prior treatment or conditioning. .
Designates Haters which are suitable for irrigation of crops and/or consuiption
by livestock.
This category of beneficial use is generally used to designate uses not
dependent upon water quality, such as hydroelectric power generation and
navigation. •
Hater which is suitable for the propagation of indigenous wariwater species of
fish.
Hater which is suitable for the propagation of indigenous coolwater species of
fish, generally, but not exclusively, characterized by the presence of
stallnouth bass.
Hater which is suitable for the growth and survival of trout.
AR-3
-------
ARKANSAS
Physical
pH
Upper Value
Lower Value
Teiperature Change
Upper Value
Chlorides
Upper Value
Sulfates
Upper Value
Total Dissolved Solids
Upper Value
Nutrients
Phosphorus
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Toxic Netals
Pesticides
Aldrin
Upper Value
Dieldrin
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Endrin
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Toxaphene
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Organics
PCBs
Upper Value
Bacteria
Fecal Colifon
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
fill Extraordinary Outstanding Nat.. Priiary Contact
Classes
9.0
6.0
250 ig/L
250 ig/L
500 ig/L
100 ug/L
50 ug/L
3 ug/L
2.5 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
0.18 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
2.4 ug/L
0.013 ug/L
0.014 ug/L
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
AR-4
-------
ARKANSAS
Secondary Conta.. Public Hater Su.. Industrial Kate.. Agricultural Na.
Physical
Teiperature
Upper Value Narr. Narr.
Nutrients
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Qrganics
Bacteria
Fecal Colifort
Upper Value Narr.
Secondary Upper Liiit Narr.
AR-5
-------
ARKANSAS
Other Uses
Karma ter Fishe.. Coolwater Fishe.. Trout Fishery
Physical
Dissolved Oxygen
Loner Value
Teiperature
Upper Value
Teiperature Change
Upper Value
Nutrients
Toxic Hetals
Pesticides
Organics
Bacteria
5.0 ig/L
90 F
5 F
6.0 ig/L
86 F
5 F
68
5
AR-6
------- |