United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
4301
EPA 800-F-93-004
September 1993
Office of Science and Technology
Mission
The Office of Science and Technology (OST) is responsible for developing the
scientific foundation of both the regulatory and non-regulatory programs
managed by the Office of Water to restore and protect human health and the
nation's water environment. OST works with other organizations to develop
scientifically defensible criteria, guidelines and advisories that provide the
regulatory framework for:
• restoring and maintaining the physical, chemical and biological
integrity of the nation's water resources;
• protecting the nation's water supplies;
• achieving technology-based wastewater freata»nt»i)quiiements.
OST also is responsible for developing risk assessment Mtiift todoi^gies and
providing risk assessment support for the Office of Water.
Legislative
Authorities
Clean Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Water Resources Development Act
Programs
Efflue»tG«k*«*ines
The
that
through HMrctijairi mufti walti systems. Effluent
for specific industrial categories (u».,%lp and Pa| ii.
Organic Chemicals, etc.) and are based on the best avaflafeie^edwology
economically achievable. In January 1992, under Section 304 (m) of the Clean
Water Act, the Agency published a plan outlining a schedule for developing
regulatory guidance over the next ten years.
Pollution prevention is an important aspect of EAD's work. In addition, HAD
performs economic and statistical analyses to determine impacts and benefits
of regulations.
Criteria
The Health and Ecological Criteria Division (HECD) develops criteria to
protect human health and the environment from risks due to contaminants in
drinking water, municipal sewage sludge and surface water. HECD staff
members investigate the behavior of chemicals in the environment, focusing
on their movement through and effect on ecosystems.
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Indicator species
Data interpretation
HEGD provides the scientific framework for ecosystem
protection through development of aquatic life, biological,
wildlife, and sediment quality criteria. In addition, HECD
characterizes human health risks from water contaminants
by developing Maximum Contaminant Level Goals
(MCLGs) and health advisories for drinking water, and
human health water quality criteria for surface water.
Finally, HECD develops technical regulations and guide-
lines governing the use and disposal of sewage sludge.
In each of these areas, HECD is responsible not only for
developing regulations and guidance for specific contami-
nants, but also for developing state-of-the-art methodolo-
gies for making these determinations. HECD works
closely with scientists, both inside and outside govern-
ment, and with local regulatory bodies that use HECD
products.
Water Quality Standards
The Standards and Applied Science Division (SASD)
develops the regulation, policy and guidance governing
the legal, administrative and technical aspects for estab-
lishing water quality standards for all surface waters of the
United States. SASD provides technical assistance and
training to the states and Regional Offices in interpreting
and applying the regulation, policy, and guidance as the
states execute their primary responsibility to adopt water
quality standards. This responsibility also provides for
the promulgation of Federal water quality standards when
necessary.
Modeling and Waste Load Allocations
The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program in
SASD is an integral part of the Agency's Watershed
Protection Approach for protecting surface water quality.
TMDLs are used to protect water quality by considering
the cumulative effects on water quality from all point and
nonpoint sources and intermedia transfers within a
drainage basin. TMDLs establish the link between water
quality assessments and water quality-based control
actions. SASD provides technical support and assistance
to state and local governments in preparing guidance
manuals and developing user-friendly interfaces for a
wide range of models (e.g., point source, area source,
mixing zone, watershed, and water quality).
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Contaminated Sediments
and Fish Contamination
SASD is developing the Agency-wide Sediment Management
Strategy and provides technical guidance for sediment con-
tamination and assessment, control and remediation pro-
grams. SASD acts as a clearinghouse for fish contamination
issues, provides guidance on fish consumption advisories and
fish sampling analysis, and assesses the risks attributable to
contarrunated fish tissue.
Tudor T. Davies
Office Director
James A. Hanlon
Deputy Director
Thomas P. O Farrell
Director
Engineering and
Analysis Division
Margaret J. Stasikowski
Director
Health and Ecological
Criteria Division
William R. Diamond
Director
Standards and Applied
Science Division
Caribbean Initiative
The Office of Science and Technology has the Office of Water
lead for the Agency's Caribbeam Initiative. OST works inter-
nationally to provide guidance and technical assistance for the
assessment and control of land-based sources of pollution in
the Wider Caribbean Region. Current activities include
technical support for the process to develop a Regional
agreement to control marine pollution from land-based
sources. This agreement will aimend the Convention for the
Protection and Development of the Marine Environment in
the Wider Caribbean Region (the Cartagena Convention)
signed in 1983 to which the United States is a contracting
party.
For more information,
contact:
Beverly Randolph
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Science & Technology 4301
401 M Street SW
Washington, D. C. 20460
(202) 260-5373
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