xvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-88-065
September 1988
State Water Quality
Standards Summary-
New Hampshire *
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DISCLAIMER
4-T, To Pubfication 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
tneP°?nlo^ " "^^"j 5°r an* use« »i««". °r reliance upSn
the information contained herein, nor does either warrant or
otherwise represent in any way the accuracy, adequacy, efficacy,
Applicability of the contents hereof.
a
? °Uld C°nsult the water quality standards of
tate Conio f^/^ regUlatOry lan^a^e applicable to that
P^! % • te water quality standards may be obtained
S Pollution Control Agency or its
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: PB89-141972
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Responsible Agency: State Contact:
N.H. Hater Supply and Pollution Control Commission
105 Loudon Road
Concord 03301
603-271-3503 • .
Standards Available From: State Contact:
N.H. Water Supply and Control Commission
105 Loudon Road
Concord 03301
603-271-3503 Fee: no Hailing List: yes
State Narrative Language For: Antidegradation
The antidegradation policy of the New Hampshire Hater Supply and Pollution Control Commission is aimed at
protecting those waters which are currently of high quality. Thus, in accordance with Public Law 92-500 and
Federal regulation 40 CFR 130, Section 130.17U), the New Hampshire Hater Supply and Pollution Control Comm-
ission has adopted the following Antidegradation Policy:
1. In all cases, existing instream beneficiil water uses will be maintained and protected. Any actions that
would become injurious to existing uses cannot be undertaken. Haste assimilation and transport are not recoo-
nized beneficial uses; s
2. Existing high quality waters will be maintained at their existing high quality unless the New Hampshire
Water Supply and Pollution Control emission decides to allow limited degradation where econoiically or
socially justified. If limited degradation is-allowed, it cannot result in violation of water quality criter-
ia that describe the base levels necessary to sustain the State and National Hater Quality goal uses of pro-
tection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water;
3. In all cases, high quality water which constitutes an outstanding State or Natural resource will be
laintained and protected;
4. Any determinations concerning thenal discharge limitations under section 316(a) of Public Law 92-500 will
be considered in compliance with the antidegradation policy.
State Narrative Language For: Toxics
No potentially toxic substances in toxic concentrations or combinations.
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 with EPA's published water 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.
Hhen establishing limits on toxic substances for the protection of aquatic life, 'Appendix B - Buidelines for
Deriving Hater Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Life and Its Uses," CFR Vol. 45 No. 231,
Noveaber 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
ainiaum, 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 HATER QUALITY CRITERIA,
April 1, 1968 or latest revision thereof.
State Narrative Language For: Free From
Class A waters shall be of the highest quality and shall contain not more than fifty coliform bacteria per one
hundred milhhters. There shall be no discharge of any sewage or wastes into waters of this classification.
The waters of this classification shall be considered as being potentially acceptable for water supply uses
NH-1
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
after disinfection.
B. Class B waters shall be of the second highest quality and shall have no objectionable physical character-
istics. There shall be no disposal of sewage or waste into said waters except those which have received
adequate treatment to prevent the lowering of the physical, chemical or bacteriological characteristics below
those given above, nor shall such disposal of sewage or wa,ce be inimical to fish life or to the maintenance
°M ? i !,in S"! r!uEiVin9 "ater5m The "aters °f this clas"^«tion shall be considered as being accept-
able for bathing and other recreational purposes and, after adequate treatment, for use as water supplies.
Class C waters shall be of the third highest quality and shall be free from slick, odors, turbidity and •
surface-floating solids of unreasonable kind or quantity, and shall be free from chemicals and other
materials and conditions iniiical to fish life or the iaintenance of fish life. The waters of this classifi-
cation shall be considered as being acceptable for recreational boating, fishing, or for industrial water
supply uses either with or without treatient depending upon individual requirements
D. Class D waters shall be the lowest classification and shall be free frot slick, sludge deposits, odors,
and surface-floating materials of unreasonable kind, quantity or duration, taking into consideration the
necessities of the industries involved. The waters of this classification shall be aesthetically acceptable.
Such water shall also be suitable1 for certain industrial purposes, power and navigation.
State Narrative Language For: Low Flow
Lou Flow - The water quality standards appearing in RSA 149:3-1, II, and III and in Ms 432 shall apply at all
times except during periods when receiving stream flows are less than the tiniiui average seven day flow which
occurs once in 10 years (7 Q 10).
State Narrative Language For: Mixing Zones
The Coaiission (New Hampshire Hater Supply and Pollution Control Commission) lay consider mixing zones
except as otherwise provided in these rules or by statute; and where mixing zones are allowed, they shall
conform to the latest requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency or to the requirements of the
Commission which shall be no less rigorous than existing federal requirements.
NH-2
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Classifications:
°lass ft Potentially acceptable for water supply uses after disinfection. No discharge
of sewage, wastes or other polluting substances into waters of this
classification. (Quality of water uniformly excellent.)
C1"5 B Acceptable for swissing and other recreation, fish habitat, and after adequate
treatment, for use as water supplies. No disposal of sewage or wastes unless
adequately treated. (High aesthetic value.)
Class C . Acceptable for recreational boating, fishing or industrial water supply, with or
without treatient, depending on individual requirements. (Third highest
quality.)
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NH-3
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Physical
PH
Upper Value
Lexer Value
Dissolved Oxygen
loner Value
Temperature
Upper Value
Teiperature Change
Upper Value
Turbidity
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Nutrients
Phosphorus
Upper Value
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Organics
Phenols
Upper Value
Bacteria
Total Colifori
Upper Value
All
Classes
Class A
Class B
Class C
Narr.
75Z
Narr.
Narr.
8.5
6.5
75Z
Narr.
Narr.
S.5
6.0
' 5
Narr.
Narr.
ppa
5 Standard 10 Standard 10 Standard
Standard 25 Standard 25 Standard
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
.001 ppi
Narr.
.001 ppi
Narr.
.002 ppi
Narr.
NH-4
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