United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-8S-040
September 1988
Water
State Water Quality
Standards Summary:
Connecticut
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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
202-4,75-7315
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: PB89-141725
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CONNECTICUT
Responsible Agency:
Department of Environmental Protection
Hater Coipliance 4 Hazardous Substances
122 Washington Street
Hartford
203-566-3245
06106
Standards Available From:
Robert E. Hoore, Director
Hater Coipliance ;
Connecticut Dept. of Envir, Protection
State Office Building, Capitol Avenue
Hartford 06115
203-566-3245 Fee: Hailing List: no
State Contact:
Hr. Robert Hoore
Director
Hater Compliance
Connecticut Dept. of Envir. Protection
State Office Building, Capitol Avenue
Hartford 06115 203-566-2588
State Contact:
Hr. Robert Smith
Assistant Director
Hater Compliance
Connecticut Dept. of Envir. Protection
State Office Building, Capitol Avenue
Hartford 06115 203-566-2588
State Narrative Language For: Antidegradation
1. It is the policy of the State to restore or maintain the surface Haters of the State to a quality consist-
ent Mith their use for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife including breeding,
feeding and nursery grounds, and Mith their use for recreation. In keeping with this policy, all surface
waters Mill be restored to the extent passible at least to a quality consistent Mith Class B or Class SB.
Such classifications are proposed throughout the State in these standards, however, where they Hill not be
achieved within three years, the anticipated condition on December 31, 1982 is also identified. These antici-
pated conditions on December 31, 1982 are the best present 'estimate of the results which can be expected to be
achieved from the water pollution control program over a three year period.
2. Haters with existing quality better than the established standards as of the date such standards become
effective will be maintained at their existing high quality. These Maters of the state Mill not be lowered in
such unless and until it has been affirmatively demonstrated to the Comoissioner that such change is justifi-
able as a result of necessary economic or social development and unless it Hill not interfere with or become
injurious to any assigned uses cade of, or presently possible in, such Maters. Any applicant for a permit for
an industrial, public or private project or development which would constitute a new discharge to high qual-
ity waters will be required, if provided a permit, to justify the project as described above as a part of the
initial project design and to provide a minimum level of treatment equal to or exceeding the standards of
performance for net* sources proeulgated pursuant to the Federal Hater Pollution Control Act.
» -
State Narrative Language For: Toxics
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 recommen-
dations for bioassay procedures contained in "Standard Methods for the Examination of Hater and Hastewater*
and the application factors contained in EPA water 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 Hater 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.
State Narrative Language For: Free From
The waters shall be free from chemical constituents in concentrations or combinations which Mould be harmful
to human, animal or aquatic life for the most sensitive governing Hater use class.
State Narrative Language For: Low Flow
The minimum average daily flow for seven consecutive days that can be expected to occur once in ten years
under natural conditions is the minimum flow to which the standards for surface Mater apply, except when a
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CONNECTICUT
streai has been historically regulated to result in ION flows below that level, in which case the standards
apply to the absolute ION flow resulting froi such regulation.
State Narrative Language For: Mixing Zones
The zone of influence of a discharge tay be described as the soil or Mater area needed to allow the
treatient of effluent by soils or the lixing of effluent with ground or surface Haters. The establishment of
zones of influence created by a penitted discharge shall not affect the adopted water usage class. The zone
of influence is used by the Cniissioner in permitting and regulating discharges to the waters of the State.
The Commissioner is required to determine whether any proposed system to treat a discharge will protect the
waters of the State from pollution.
A. Surface Haters
1. Wherever zones of influence are allowed, zones of passage for free swimming and drifting aquatic
organisms shall be provided.
2. No minimum criteria can be given for zones of passage because of varying hydraulic, physical/chemical,
and biological considerations.
3. As a guideline, zones of influence should be limited to no more than 25Z of the cross-sectional area or
volume of flow, leaving at least 751 free for a zone of passage.
4. The cross-sectional area or volume of flow assigned to zones of influence shall be limited to that which
will not adversely affect biological value to a degree which is damaging to the ecosystem.
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CONNECTICUT
Classifications
Inland Haters
Class"AA
Inland Haters
Class A
Inland Haters
Class B
Inland Haters
Class C
Inland Hater
Class D
Coastal and
Marine Haters
Class SA
Coastal and
Marine Haters
Class SB
Coastal and
Marine Hater
Class SC
»•
Coastal and
Marine Haters
Class SD
Groundwaters
Class 6A
Existing or proposed drinking water supply impoundments and tributary surface
waters.
May be suitable for drinking water supply and/or bathing; suitable for all othisr
water uses; character uniformly excellent; may'be subject to absolute restricti-
ons on the discharge of pollutants; authorization of new discharges of other
than minor cooling and clean water or dredge materials at designated locations
would require revision of the class to Class B which would be considered concur-
rently with the issuance of a permit at a public hearing.
Suitable for bathing, other recreational purposes, agricultural uses, certain
industrial processes and cooling; excellent fish and wildlife habitat; good
aesthetic value. •
Suitable for fish and wildlife habitat, recreational boating, and certain
industrial processes and cooling; good aesthetic value.
Hay be suitable for bathing or other recreational purposes, certain fish and
wildlife habitat, certain industrial processes and cooling; may have good
aesthetic value. Present conditions, however, severely inhibit or preclude on<>
or more of the above uses.
Suitable for all ssa water uses including shellfish harvesting for direct
consumption (approved shellfish areas), bathing and other water contact sports;
may be subject to absolute restrictions on the discharge of pollutants.
Suitable for bathing, other recreational purposes, industrial cooling and
shellfish harvesting for human consumption after depruation; excellent fish and
wildlife habitat; good aesthetic value.
Suitable for fish, shellfish and wildlife habitat; suitable for recreational
boating and industrial cooling, good aesthetic value.
Hay be suitable for bathing or other recreational purposes, fish and wildlife
habitat and industrial cooling; may have good aesthetic value. Present
conditions, however, severely inhibit or preclude one or more of the above
uses.
Hay be suitable for public or private drinking water use without treatment.
Groundwaters
Class GAA
Existing or proposed public drinking water use without treatment.
Groundwaters
Class 6B
Groundwaters
Class GC
Hay not be suitable for public or private use as drinking water without
treatment. No quantitative or qualitative limits apply since the groundwaters
specified as GB are known or presumed to be degraded.
Hay be suitable for certain waste disposal practices because past land use or
hydrcigeologic conditions render these groundwaters more suitable for receiving
permitted discharges than development for public or private water supply.
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CONNECTICUT
All
Classes
Physical
pH
Upper Value
Lower Value
Dissolved Oxygen
Lower Value
Temperature
Upper Value
Temperature Change
Upper Value
Turbidity
Upper Value
Nutrients
Phosphorus
Upper Value
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Organics
Bacteria
Fecal Colifon
Upper Value
Total Colifon
Upper Value
Inland Maters
Class AA
Narr.
S.O ig/L
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Inland Haters
Class A
Narr.
S.O ig/L
Narr.
4 F
Narr.
Narr.
Inland Haters
Class B
8.0
6.5
5.0 ig/L
85 F
25 JTU
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
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CONNECTICUT
Physical
PH
Upper Value
Loner Value
Dissolved Oxygen
Loner Value
Teiperature
Upper Value
Teiperature Change
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Turbidity
Upper Value
Nutrients
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Organics
Bacteria
Fecal Colifon
Upper Value
Total Colifon
Upper Value
Inland Haters Inland Nater
Class C Class D
8.5
6.0
4.0 ig/L
85 F
4 F
F
2!i JTU
Narr.
Narr.
Coastal and
Class SA
8.5
6.13
6.0 ig/L
83 F
4
1.5
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Coastal and
Class SB
8.5
6.8
5.0 ig/L
Narr.
4 F
1.9 F
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
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CONNECTICUT
Physical
pH
Upper Value
Lower Value
Dissolved Oxygen
Loner Value
Teiperature
Upper Value
Teiperature Change
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Turbidity
Upper Value
Nutrients
Toxic totals
Pesticides
Organics
Bacteria
Fecal Colifon
Upper Value
Total Colifort
Upper Value
Coastal and
Class SC
8.5
6.5
4.0 ig/L
Narr.
4
1.5
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Coastal and 6roundnaters Groundwaters
Class SD Class BA Class 6AA
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
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CONNECTICUT
Groundwaters
CUss 6B
GroundNiters
Class 6C
Physical
Nutrients
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Organics
Bacteria
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