United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/S-S8-075
Saptemtw
State Water Quality
Standards Summary:
Rhode Island
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DISCLAIMER
Additional information may also be obtained from the:
Standards Branch
Criteria and Standards Division (WH-585)
T^6 2f ?3ter Re^ulations 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: PB89-142Q79
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RHODE ISLAND
Responsible Agency: State Contact
State of Rhodt Island and Providence Contact,
Department of Htalth
Division of Miter Pollution Control
Division of Hater Resources
Dept. of Environmental Management
75 Davis Street
Providence 02908
401-277-2234 Fee: no Hailing List: yes
State Narrative Language For: An tidegradation
Discharges Shall Not Violate Water Suality Standards-- No person shall discharge into any waters of the State
"Mld result in the "•'•"" of anTs a r
•« and 1.04 of
Discharges Shall Not Further Degrade Low Quality Haters - No person shall discharge into any waters of the
°r ° "" Kt0r deter'ines "Quld result in the ^°«« <*3 > »
Hters °r d°"nstrMi °
Discharges Shall Not Degrade High Quality Maters - No person shall discharge into any waters of the State
S5£ J f!hr ;aSte."hkh ? dirKtor deter'ines «ou» «"» i" tta dlgradation'of an ,a e «
riter on of he rectinng «ters or do.nstreai .aters Nhose quality is higher than the «in»u. required by
the water quality standards assigned to such waters. ^quireo By
*? UMradi?S °f Mitfir 8uality Stindards * ^ Mter u»5 """9 "hieved shall be .aintained.
"T US6,. classifi"tions 5Pfi"fy «*tr uses less than those which are presently being
' • « « it upgrade the classification of'the waters Question
State Narrative Language Fors Toxics
hi? Ilfl1,"6 f"e fl°' S!'^*1 constituents in """"trations or combinations which could be harmful to
a e 't I/' ^ t B ^ the aPPrQPr"te '°St SenSitiVB ind 9°V6rnin9 "ter class ». "^"orably
alter the biota, or impair the waters for any other uses.
If an aquatic toxicity value has not been established in the R.I. DEH Ambient Hater Quality Guidelines, then
the evel of any -priority pollutant" shall not exceed the "detection limits" in the a. i en n e he
SSI'S LT ;s to tiw :a;isfaction of the Director that a ^ «™™™ ^ «<* «
effect the most sensitive use of the water body.
State Narrative Language For- Free From
1. At a unziui, all waters shall be free of pollutants in concentrations that will:
a. Adversely effect the composition of bottom aquatic life;
b. Adversely effect the physical or chemical nature of the bottom;
c. Interfere with the propagation of fish and shellfish; or
d. Undesirably alter the qualitative and quantitative character of the biota.
2. Aesthetics - All waters shall be free from pollutants in concentrations or combinations that:
a. Settle to form objectionable deposits;
b. Float as debris, scum or other matter to form nuisances;
c. Produce objectionable odor, color, taste or turbidity; Br
d. Result in the dominance of nuisance species.
RI-1
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RHODE ISLAND
State Narrative Language For; Low Flow
The water quality standards apply under the tost adverse conditions, as determined by the Director accordinq
to sound engwtering and scientific practices. For fresh water, nst adverse conditions shall include a
minimum averagi daily fin for seven consecutive days that can be expected to occur once in ten years. For
tidal waters, most adverse conditions shall lean when the most unfavorable hydrographk and pollution
conditions occur at the particular point of evaluation.
State Narrative Language For: Mixing Zones
Thermal «ixing Zones - In the case of them! discharges into tidal rivers or estuaries, or fresh water
streams or estuaries, where thermal mixing zones are allowed by the director, the aixing zone will be limited
to no "re than 1/4 of the cross sectional area and/or volume of flow river, stream or estuary, leaving at
* !•• ! IT ?! Vone °f passa9e- In "ide estuaries and oceans, the limits of mixing zones will be
established by the director.
Non-theroal Mixing Zones - In applying these standards the director lay recognize, where appropriate, a
liutid mixing zone or zone of initial dilution on a case-by-case basis. The locations, size, and shape of
these zones shall provide for the taxiiui protection of aquatic resources. At aiiniiui, lixing zones msti
(a) Meet the criteria for aesthetics;
(b) Be litited to an area or volute that will •iniiize interference with the designated uses in the seqtent:
(c) Allow an appropriate zone of passage for iigrating fish and other organisms; and
(d) Mot result in substances accumulating in sediments, aquatic life or food chains to exceed known or
predicted safe exposure levels for the health of humans or aquatic life.
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RHODE ISLAND
Classifications!:
Fresh Hater Drinking nater supply.
Class A
LiiSS D
LUPPly "ith apPr°Priate *••«, 1) agricultural uses:
> °ther "ri"rV contact recreate! actmties: 3) fish and wildlife
r-p-k Uafp.. n
Class C III Hill If' *"nd7 C°nUCt recrBationaI activiti«- 1) «rt and -ildlift
habltat: 2) industrial processes and cooling.
^esh JatBr Higration of fish. 6ood aesthetic value.
"lter - «...«- TO« „,
Shellfish "^vesting for huian consmption after depuration: 1) bathing, other
Pri"nr contact recreational activities: 2) fish and -ildlife h»S!
l' °,ther 5Kon(lary "ntact recreational activities: 1) fish and Nildlife
*"t*tit'. 2). industrial cooling: 3) good aesthetic value.
RI-3
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RHODE ISLAND
All
Classes
Physical
PH
Upper Value
loner Value
Dissolved Oxygen
Lower Value
Teiperature
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Teiperature Change
Upper Value
Turbidity
Upper Value
Fresh Water
Class A
Narr.
5 ig/L
Narr.
Narr.
5 JU
Fresh Nater
Class 8
8.0
6.5
5 ig/L
83 F
68 F
4 F
10 JU
Fresh Mater
Class C
8.5
6.0
5 ig/L
Narr.
15 JU
Nutrients
Phosphates '
Upper Value
Toxic Metals
Arsenic
Upper Value
Lower Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Cadiiui
Secondary Upper Liiit
Cyanide
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Berylliui
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Nickel
Secondary Upper Liiit
Seleniui
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Silver
Secondary Upper Liiit
Pesticides
Aldrin
Upper Value
Dieldrin
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Chlordane
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Narr.
DDT
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
3.0 ug/L
2.5 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
2.4 ug/L
0.0043 ug/L
1.1 ug/L
0.001 ug/L
440 ug/L
9.8 ug/L
52 ug/L
Narr. ug/L
52 ug/L
3.5 ug/L
7.5 ug/L
.17 ug/L
Narr. ug/L
260 ug/L
35 ug/L
Narr. ug/L
3.0 ug/L
2.5 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
2.4 ug/L
0.0043 ug/L
1.1 ug/L
0.001 ug/L
440 ug/L
9.8 ug/L
52 ug/L
Narr. ug/L
52 ug/L
3.5 ug/L
7.5 ug/L
.17 ug/L
Narr. ug/L
260 ug/L
35 ug/L
Narr. ug/L
3.0 ug/L
2.5 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
2.4 ug/L
0.0043 ug/L
1.1 ug/L
0.001 ug/L
RI-4
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RHODE ISLAND
Endosulfu
Upper Valor ~
Secondary Ufpir Litit
Endrin
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Heptachlor
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Lindane
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Toxaphene
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Organks
Bacteria
Fecal Colifon
Upper Value
Total Colifon
Upper Value
All
Classes
Fresh Water
Class A
0.22 ug/L
0.056 ug/L
0.18 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
0.52 ug/L
0.0038 ug/L
2.0 ug/L
0.080 ug/L
1.6 ug/L
0.013 ug/L
Marr.
Marr.
Fresh Hater
Class B
0.22 ug/L
0.056 ug/L
0.18 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
0.52 ug/L
0.0038 ug/L
2.0 ug/L
0.080 ug/L
1.6 ug/L
0.013 ug/L
Fresh Water
Class C
0.22 ug/L
0.056 ug/L
0.18 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
0.52 ug/L
0.0038 ug/L
2.0 ug/L
0.080 ug/L
1.6 ug/L
0.013 ug/L
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
RI-5
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RHODE ISLAND
Physical
PH
Upper Value
Loner Value
Dissolved Oxygen
Loner Value
Teiperature
Upper Value
Teiperature Change
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Turbidity
Kutrients
Toxic Metals
Arsenic
Upper Value
Loner Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Cadiiui
"PPer Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Chroiiui - Hexavalent
"PPer Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Chroiiui - Trivalent
Upper Value
Cyanide
uPPer Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Lead
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Mercury
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Zinc
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Berylliui
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Nickel
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Seleniui
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Fresh
Class
9.0
6.0
2
90
440
9.8
52
Narr.
21
.29
Narr.
52
3.5
4.1
.2
47
7.5
.17
Narr.
260
35
Water Fresh Water
D Class E
ig/L
F
Narr.
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
Sea Hater
Class bfl
6.5
6.8
6.0
83
1.6
4
«arr.
120
63
59
4.5
1.0
.57
140
7.1
410
54
•g/L
F
F
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
Sea Water
Class SB
8.5
5.0
83
1.6
4
Narr.
120
63
59
4.5
1260
18
1.0
.57
220
8.6
3.7
.10
170
58
140
7.1
410
54
ig/L
F
F
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
RI-6
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*
RHODE ISLAND
• '
Silver
Upper Vala*i?jfe
Secondary Uopjir Liiit
Pesticides
Aldrin
Upper Value
Dieldrin
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Chlordane
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
DDT
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Endosulfan
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Endrin
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Heptachlor
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Lindane
•Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
"•' Toxaphene
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Organic*
Phenol
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Diiethyl Phthalate
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Diethyl Phthalate
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Di-2-ethylhexyl Phthalate
Upper Valut
Secondary Upper Liiit
Butyl benzyl Phthalate
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
PCBs
Upper Value
Fresh Hater
Class D
ug/L
Narr. ug/L
3.0 ug/L
2.5 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
2.4 ug/L
0.0043 ug/L
1.1 ug/L
0.001 ug/L
0.22 ug/L
0.056 ug/L
0.18 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
0.52 ug/L
0.0038 ug/L
2.0 ug/L
0.080 ug/L
1.6 ug/L
0.013 ug/L
251 ug/L
5.6 ug/L
1650 ug/L
37 ug/L
2605 ug/L
58 ug/L
555 ug/L
12 ug/L
85 ug/L
1.9 ug/L
0.014 ug/L
Fresh Hater
Class E
3.0 ug/L
2.5 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
2.4 ug/L
0.0043 ug/L
1.1 ug7L
0.001 ug/L
0.22 ug/L
0.056 ug/L
0.18 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
0.52 ug/L
0.0038 ug/L
2.0 ug/L
0.080 ug/L
. 1.6 ug/L
0.013 ug/L
Sea Hater
Class SA
2.3 ug/L
ug/L
1.3 ug/L
0.71 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
0.09 ug/L
0.0040 ug/L
0.13 ug/L
0.010 ug/L
0.034 ug/L
0.0087 ug/L
0.037 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
0.053 ug/L
0.0036 ug/L
0.16 ug/L
ug/L
0.07 ug/L
ug/L
Sea Hater
Class SB
acute 2.3 ug/L acute
«ute ug/L acute
1.3 ug/L
0.71 ug/L
0.0019 ug/L
0.09 ug/L
0.0040 ug/L.
0.13 ug/L
0.010 ug/L
0.034 ug/L
0.0087 ug/L
0.037 ug/L
0.0023 ug/L
0.053 ug/L
0.0036 ug/L
0.16 ug/L
ug/L
0.07 ug/L
ug/L
> j
Bacteria
RI-7
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RHODE ISLAND
Fresh Water Fresh Hater Sea Water Sea Hater
_ ,„,., Class ° Class E Class SA Class SB
Fecal Cohfori
T . Narr. Narr.
Total Cohfon
Upper Value Narr. Narr.
Narr.
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RHODE ISLAND
Sea Hater
73T: Class SC
Physical
pH
Upper Value 9,5
Lower Value 4.5
Dissolved Oxygen
Lo«r Vilin 4 ig/L
Temperature
Upper Value 33 F
Tetperature Change
Upper Value 1.4 p
Secondary Upper Liiit 4 p
Turbidity
Upper Value
Nutrients
Toxic Hetals
flrsenic
Upper Value
Lower Value
Cadiiui
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Cyanide
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Nickel
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Seleniui
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Silver
Upper Value
120
63
59
4.5
1.0
.57
140
7.1
410
54
2.3
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
ug/L
™«l • fc
ug/L
» *
ug/L
™9* •
ug/L
3 "
ug/L
ug/L
3 •
ug/L
ug/L i
Pesticides
Aldrin
Upper Valut 1<3 ug/L
Dieldrin
"PPer »•!» 0.71 ug/L
Secondary Upptr Liiit 0.0019 ug/L
Chlordane
Upper Value o.Of ug/L
Secondary Upper Liiit 0.0040 uo/L
DDT
Upper Value 0.13 ug/L
Secondary Upper Liiit 0.010 ug/L
Endosulfan
0.034 ug/L
Secondary Upper Liiit 0.0087 ug/L
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RHODE ISLAND
Sea Hater
Class SC
Endrin
Upper Value 0.037 ug/L
Secondary Upper Liiit 0.0023 ug/L
Heptachlor
Upper Value 0.053 ug/L
Secondary Upper Liiit 0.0036 ug/L
Lindane
Upper Value 0.16 ug/L
Toxaphene
Upper Value 6.07 ug/L'
Organic:
•
Bacteria
Total Colifon
Upper Value Narr.
RI-10
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