United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
Regulations and Standards
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/558-084
Saptembw 1988
Water
State Water Quality
Standards Summary:
Vermont
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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
202-475-7315
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: PB89-14216Q
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VERMONT
Responsible Agencys State Contacts
Agency of Environmental Conservation
Vermont Hater Resources Board
State Office Bldg.
Hontpelier 05602
802-244-6951
Standards Available From: State Contact:
Steven B. Syz, Chief, Hater Resource Planner
Agency of Environiental Conservation
State Office Bldg,
flontpelier 05602
802-244-6951 Fee: no Hailing List: no
State Narrative Language For: Antidegradation
General Policy - The Board (Venont Hater Resources Board) shall establish water quality classifications in
accordance with the statutory provisions of the Act in a Banner consistent with Sections 1-02 and 1-03 of
these rules. To the greatest extent possible the classification of the waters shall identify existing uses,
background conditions, and the degree of water quality to be obtained and iaintained. Existing water quality
classifications shall be maintained unless the Board, after public hearing, finds that they are contrary to
the public interest except as provided for in 10 VSA 1253(f).
Those waters whose quality wets or exceeds the water quality criteria specified in sections 3-01, 3-03, 3-05
and 3-06 of these rules and which quality lakes an important contribution to the propagation or survival of
any beneficial species of aquatic biota at any period in their life history within any of the 17 planning
basins identified in Chapter 4 of these rules, constitute high quality waters which have significant ecologic-
al value and therefore are eligible for reclassification to Class A in accordance with the provisions of 10
VSA 1253(c) and 1253(f).
The aquatic biota shall be considered to have been significantly altered whenever a discharge or combination
of discharges results in a change in the number and diversity of aquatic biota that exceeds the range of
natural variation within the receiving waters where such a change results in a measurable alteration of the
essential biological characteristics of the receiving waters. The natural variation of aquatic biota shall be
detenined by saipling and statistical protocols established by the Secretary as provided for in section 2-01
(f) of these rules.
Please refer to the 'EPA Hater Quality Criteria Sumaaries; A Compilation of State/Federal Criteria' for
additional antidegradation language for Veriont.
State Narrative Language For: Toxics
The waters of the state shall be tanaged so as to prevent the discharge of radioactive or toxic wastes in
concentrations, quantities or coibinations that may create a significant likelihood of an adverse impact on
hutan health or acute or chronic toxicity to aquatic biota, fish or wildlife. Unless otherwise specified by
these rules, the Secretary shall deteraine liiits for discharges containing radioactive or toxic wastes based
on the results of biological toxicity assessments and the appropriate available scientific data, including but
not lieited to:
1. The current edition of the EPA publications "Quality Criteria for Hater1 and the 1980 Ambient Hater
Quality Criteria Documents ("Unite Books")
2. The Vernont State Health Regulation, Part 5, Chapter 3 'Radiological Health", effective as of 12/10/77
3. 10 CFR 50, Appendix I
In establishing such limits the Secretary shall give consideration to the potential for bioaccumulation as
well as any antagonistic or synergistic relationship that may exist between the wastes being discharged and
the concentration of other wastes or constituents in the receiving waters. The discharge of radioactive
wastes shall not exceed the lowest limits which are reasonably achievable.
State Narrative Language For: Free From
VT-1
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VERMONT
Nutrients - No increase which would accelerate eutrophication or result in concentrations that may stimulate
the growth of aquatic plants, fungi, or bacteria, in a manner which has an undue adverse effect on any
beneficial values or uses.
flquatic habitat - No change froi background conditions which would have an undue adverse effect on the
composition of the aquatic biota, the physical or cheiical nature of the substrate or the species coiposition
or propagation of fishes.
Sludge deposits or solid refuse - None
Settleable solids, floating solids, oil, grease, scut, or total susoended solids - None in such concentra-
tions or coibinations which would have an undue adverse effect on any beneficial values or uses.
State Narrative Language For: Low Flow
Unregulated Haters - The applicable water quality criteria shall apply at all times except when the average
daily flow is less than the seven day low flow, ten year return period (7810). This rule shall not be
construed to allow less than the normal design operation of any wastewater treatment facility during periods
of low stream flow or to otherwise waive the terts of any permit issued under the Act.
Regulated Haters - The applicable water quality criteria shall apply at the agreed liniiui flow, or 7Q10,
whichever is less. In the absence of such an agreement, the water quality criteria shall apply at the
absolute low flow resulting from regulation, or 7Q10, whichever is less.
State Narrative Language For: Mixing Zones
(A) Designation - Mixing zones shall not be created in any Class A water. In all other waters, the Secretary
may, in conjunction with the issuance of a permit, designate a specific portion of the receiving waters not
exceeding 200 feet frot the point of discharge as a mixing zone for any waste which has been properly treated
to comply with all applicable state and federal treatient requirements and effluent limitations. Hithin any
nixing zone the Secretary may, in accordance with the terts of a pertit, waive the provisions of sections
1-03, 3-01, 3-03(B), and 3-04(B) provided that the quality of the waters downstream of the mixing zone
conplies with all applicable provisions of these rules.
(B) Mixing Zone Criteria - The Secretary shall insure that conditions within any mixing zone shalls
1. Not create a public health hazard, and
2. Not constitute a barrier to the passage or migration of fish or result in an undue adverse effect of
fish, aquatic biota or wildlife, and
3. Not interfere with any existing use of the waters.
VT-2
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VERMONT
»
Classifications:
Class fl Haters with a very high level of Mater quality which is coipatible with the
following beneficial values and uses: 1) Values - High quality waters which
have significant ecological value and water quality of a unifonly excellent cha
racter. 2) Uses - As a source of public water supply with disinfection when
necessary and, when coipatible, for the enjoyient of water in its natural
condition.
Class B Caters with a high level of quality, which is coipatible with the following
beneficial values and uses: 1) Values - Hater which is of a quality which
consistently exhibits good aesthetic value and provides high quality habitat for
aquatic biota, fish and wildlife. 2) Uses - Public water supply with
filtration and disinfection; irrigation and other agricultural uses; swiuing,
and recreation.
. Class c Haters with a good level of quality which is compatible with the following '
beneficial vaules and uses: 1) Values - Habitat suitable for aquatic biota,
fish and wildlife. 2) Uses - Recreational boating and any recreational or
other water uses in which contact with the water is tiniial and where ingestion
of the water is not probable; irrigation of crops not used for huian
consuiption without-cooking; and coipatible industrial uses.
Fish Habitat To provide for the protection and tanageient of fisheries, the waters of the
Designation State are designated in Appendix A of the Venont Hater Quality Standards as
being either a cold or wart water fish habitat. Hhere appropriate, such
designations §ay be seasonal.
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VERMONT
All
Classes
Class A
Class 6
Physical
pH
Upper Value
Loner Value
Turbidity
Upper Value
Secondary Upper Liiit
Nutrients
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Organics
Bacteria
Fecal Colifon
Upper Value
Class C
8.0
6.5
10
NTU
NTU
8.0
6.5
10
25
NTU
NTU
8.0
6.5
10
25
NTU
NTU
Narr.
Narr.
Narr.
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Physical
Dissolved Oxygen
Lower Value
Teaperature
Upper Value
Teaperature Change
Upper Value
Nutrients
Toxic Hetals
Pesticides
Qrganics
Bacteria
VERMONT
Fish Habitat
7 ag/l
Narr.
1 F
VT-5
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