United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water 4305 EPA-823-R-98-003 May 1998 Bacterial Water Quality Standards Status Report ------- ------- BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR RECREATIONAL WATERS (FRESHWATER AND MARINE WATERS) STATUS REPORT Prepared by: Standards and Applied Science Division Office of Science and Technology Office of Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 ------- Disclaimer This publication was prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc. under contract to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Secondary information sources were used to compile data presented in this document. In no event shall either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or Tetra Tech, Inc. 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: Water Quality Standards Branch Standards and Applied Science Division (4305) Office of Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 11 ------- Contents 1. Introduction j 2. Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Summary Information Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for States and Territories Within EPA Regions 5 Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for Tribes Within EPA Regions 7 Narrative Summary g 3. Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Detailed Overview Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region 11 EPA Region 1 Connecticut \ \ Maine \ \ Massachusetts \ \ New Hampshire 12 Rhode Island 12 Vermont 13 EPA Region 2 New Jersey 13 New York 14 Puerto Rico 16 Virgin Islands 16 EPA Region 3 Delaware 17 District of Columbia 17 Maryland 17 Pennsylvania 17 Virginia lg West Virginia lg EPA Region 4 Alabama lg Florida 19 Georgia 19 Kentucky 19 Mississippi 19 North Carolina 20 South Carolina 20 Tennessee ; 20 ill ------- EPA Region 5 Illinois 21 Indiana 21 Michigan 21 Minnesota 22 Ohio 22 Wisconsin 22 EPA Region 6 Arkansas 23 Louisiana 23 New Mexico 23 Oklahoma 23 Texas 24 EPA Region 7 Iowa 24 Kansas 24 Missouri 24 Nebraska 25 EPA Region 8 Colorado 25 Montana 25 North Dakota 25 South Dakota 25 Utah 26 Wyoming 26 EPA Region 9 American Samoa 26 Arizona 26 California 27 Hawaii 28 Guam 29 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 29 Nevada 30 Trust Territory • 30 EPA Region 10 Alaska 31 Idaho 31 Oregon 31 Washington 32 IV ------- Introduction EPA's Beach Program On May 23, 1997, EPA Administrator Carol Browner announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health (BEACH) Program. The goal of the BEACH program is to significantly reduce the risk of infection to users of the nation's recreational waters through improvements in recreational water programs, communication, and scientific advances. High levels of pathogens in recreational waters can increase human exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and body contact, thus increasing the risk of illness. Surveys and ongoing scientific studies continue to document the presence of, or the potential for, disease-carrying bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens present in local beach water, primarily from sewage and stormwater runoff. Through its BEACH program, EPA is working to: • Strengthen state, tribal, and local programs, including water quality standards; • Develop and implement new tools to inform the public; • Conduct research to improve the scientific basis for beach programs. One specific focus of this program and the water quality standards program is to review and strengthen bacterial water quality standards. Status Report The purpose of the Status Report is to provide a brief overview of the bacterial water quality standards that have been adopted by states for their marine and fresh recreational waters in the United States. This report is based on consultations with EPA water quality standards coordinators. The report is accurate as of September 1997; however, there may be revisions to standards that are not reflected in this report. EPA will update the report periodically to reflect new information. The following tables contain updated information on the bacterial water quality standards that have been adopted by states, territories, and tribes to protect human health from waterborae diseases within their jurisdictions. The information is presented in summary format for both states/territories and tribes. The standards are also described in more detail. The summary is organized first by EPA region, and then by state, territory, and tribe within each region. For the precise regulatory language applicable to a particular state, the reader should consult the water quality standards of that state. Copies of state water quality standards may be obtained from the state's water quality management agency or its equivalent. The reader should also note that these may not be the only guidelines or standards in effect for recreational waters in a particular location. It is not uncommon for a local health agency to develop and adopt site- specific guidelines as part of their public health codes. Although EPA is compiling a catalog of these guidelines, one should consult with the appropriate local health agency to obtain detailed information. ------- Water Quality Standards Background In response to widespread public concern about the condition of our nation's waters, the United States Congress enacted landmark legislation hi 1972. This statute, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (referred to as the Clean Water Act of 1972, or CWA), expanded and built upon existing laws designed to control and prevent water pollution. Successive amendments to the 1972 CWA (the Clean Water Act of 1977 and the Water Quality Act of 1987) have continued to strengthen the law to better protect our nation's waters. Water quality standards are the cornerstone of a state's water quality management program. States, territories, and Indian tribes set water quality standards for waters within their jurisdictions. Water quality standards define a use for a waterbody and describe the specific water quality criteria to achieve that use. The water quality standards also contain antidegradation policies to protect existing water quality. These are the goals by which success is ultimately gauged for a given waterbody or watershed. The water quality standards program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Congress has mandated that EPA is responsible for providing water quality criteria recommendations, approving state-adopted standards for interstate waters, evaluating adherence to the standards, and overseeing enforcement of standards compliance. Guidance for the development of standards by individual states, tribes, and territories is contained in the EPA documents Water Quality Standards Handbook, Second Edition (1983) and Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (1986). Fecal bacteria have been used as an indicator of the possible presence of pathogens in surface waters and the risk of disease, based on epidemiological evidence of gastrointestinal disorders from ingestion of contaminated surface water or raw shellfish. Contact with contaminated water can lead to ear or skin infections, and inhalation of contaminated water can cause respiratory diseases. The pathogens responsible for these diseases can be bacteria, viruses, protozoans, fungi, or parasites that live in the gastrointestinal tract and are shed in the feces of warm-blooded animals. However, because of the difficulties in analyzing for and detecting the many possible pathogens or parasites, concentrations of fecal bacteria, including fecal coliforms, enterococci, and Escherichia coli, are used as the primary indicators of fecal contamination. The latter two indicators are considered to have a higher degree of association with outbreaks of certain diseases than fecal coliforms and were recommended as the basis for bacterial water quality standards in the 1986 Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria document (both for fresh waters, enterococci for marine waters). The standards are defined as a concentration of the indicator above which the health risk from waterborne disease is unacceptably high. Prior to the 1986 revision to the National criterion, there were recommendations in the report of the National Technical Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Interior, Water Quality Criteria (1967) and by EPA in Quality Criteria for Water (1976). Both of these documents were based on fecal coliforms and recommended that maximum densities not exceed geometric means of 200 organisms per 100 ml in recreational waters. The 1986 criteria statement for bacteriological criteria follows: ------- EPA Criteria for Bathing (Full Body Contact) Recreational Waters Freshwater Based on a statistically sufficient number of samples (generally not less than 5 samples equally spaced over a 30-day period), the geometric mean of the indicated bacterial densities should not exceed one or the other of the following:1 E. coli Enterococci 126 per 100 ml; or 33 per 100 ml. No sample should exceed a one sided confidence limit (C.L.) calculated using the following as guidance: Designated bathing beach 75% C.L. Moderate use for bathing 82% C.L. Light use for bathing 90% C.L. Infrequent use for bathing 95% C.L. based on a site-specific log standard deviation, or if site data are insufficient to establish a log standard deviation, then using 0.4 as the log standard deviation for both indicators. Marine Water Based on a statistically sufficient number of samples (generally not less than 5 samples equally spaced over a 30-day period), the geometric mean of the enterococci densities should not exceed 35 per 100 ml. No sample should exceed a one sided confidence limit using the following as guidance: Designated bathing beach 75% C.L. Moderate use for bathing 82% C.L. Light use for bathing 90% C.L. Infrequent use for bathing 95% C.L. based on a site-specific log standard deviation, or if site data are insufficient to establish a log standard deviation, then using 0.7 as the log standard deviation. 'Only one indicator should be used. The regulatory agency should select the appropriate indicator for its conditions. ------- Acknowledgements This report was compiled by Rick Hoffmann and Kent Ballentine in the Office of Science and Technology. To ensure the completeness and accuracy of this overview, the following EPA Regional Water Quality Standards Coordinators were contacted: Region 1: BillBeckwith Office of Ecosystem Protection Boston, MA Region 2: Wayne Jackson Division of Environmental Planning and Protection New York, NY Region 3: Evelyn MacKnight Water Protection Division Philadelphia, PA Region 4: Fritz Wagener Water Management Division Atlanta, GA Region 5: David Pfeifer Water Division Chicago, IL Region 6: Cheryl Overstreet Water Quality Protection Division Dallas, TX Region 7: Larry Shepard Water, Wetlands and Pesticides Division Kansas City, KS Region 8: Bill Wuerthele Office of Ecosystems Protection and Remediation Denver, CO Region 9: Phil Woods Water Division San Francisco, CA Region 10: LisaMacchio Office of Water Seattle, WA ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Summary Information Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for States and Territories Within EPA Regions Region/State Freshwater Marine Water Region/State Freshwa Region 1 Region 2 CT EN/FC/TC1'2 EN ME EC EN MA FC FC NH EC EN RI FC/TC FC VT EC NJ EN/FC NY FC/TC PR VI ter Marine Water EN/FC FC/TC EN/FC/TC FC Region 3 Region 4 DE EN EN DC FC MD FC FC PA FC VA FC FC WV FC AL FC 'FL FC GA FC KY FC MS FC NC FC SC FC TN FC FC FC FC • FC FC FC • Region 5 Region 6 IL FC IN EC MI EC/FC MN FC OH EC/FC WI FC AR FC LA FC NM FC • FC • OK EC/EN/FC TX FC/EN FC 1 FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms; EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli. 2 Many jurisdictions use both the 1986 indicator criteria and fecal coliforms; some continue to use total coliforms. Even if a state has the authority to use the 1986 indicators, it may use another indicator at its discretion. ------- Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for States and Territories Within EPA Regions Region/State Freshwater Marine Water Region/State | Freshwater Marine Water Region 7 Region 8 IA FC • KS FC . . • MO FC NE FC CO FC • MT FC ND FC SD FC UT FC/TC • WY FC Region 9 Region 10 AZ EC/FC CA EC/EN/FC/TC3 EN/FC/TC HI FC EN NV EC/FC Amer. Samoa FC FC CNMI EC/EN/FC EN Guam FC FC Trust Territory FC EN/FC AK FC FC ED FC OR EC FC WA FC FC 3 California has 9 Regional Boards; some use the 1986 indicator criteria, whereas some use fecal coliforms and total coliforms entirely or for other purposes. ------- Summary of Bacterial Water Quality Standards for Tribes Within EPA Regions Region/State Region 6 MM OK Region 8 CO MT ND Region 9 CA Region 10 WA Tribe Isleta Pueblo Nambe Pueblo Picuris Pueblo Pojoaque Pueblo Sandia Pueblo San Juan Pueblo Santa Clara Pueblo Seminole Tribe Southern Utes Tribe Salish and Kootenai Tribes - Flathead Tribes Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes - Fort Peck Reservation Three Affiliated Tribes - Fort Berthold Reservation Hoopa Valley Tribe Chehalis Tribe Colville Confederated Tribes Puyallup Tribe Freshwater FC1 FC FC FC FC FC FC FC FC FC (Adopted) EC (Proposed) FC (Proposed) EC FC EN FC FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms; EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli. ------- Narrative Summary (as of September, 199?) For freshwaters, 37 states, the District of Columbia, and two trust territories still rely on the 1968 200 FC/100 mL water standard as their primary indicator for recreational waters: Alabama Arkansas California (some regions) Colorado District of Columbia Florida Hawaii Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Trust Territory Utah Virginia Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming Seven states and two territories have fecal and/or total coliform standards more stringent than 200 FC/ 100 mL and 1000 TC/100 mL: Alaska American Samoa California (some regions) Guam Idaho Illinois (Lake Michigan) Massachusetts Rhode Island Washington Eleven states and one territory have adopted an E. coli standard for freshwater: Arizona California (San Francisco Bay, San Diego, and Colorado River Basin regions) Indiana Maine Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Michigan Nevada (Lake Tahoe and Humboldt River) New Hampshire Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Vermont Six states, one tribe, and one territory use enterococci as a standard for freshwater: California (San Francisco Bay, San Diego, Colorado River Basin regions) Connecticut Delaware Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands New Jersey Oklahoma Texas (Houston Ship Channel) Washington-Colville Confederated Tribes ------- Eight states and one territory use a combination of bacterial indicator standards: California (E. coli, enterococci, fecal and total coliforms) Connecticut (enterococci, fecal and total coliforms) Ohio (E. coli and fecal coliforms) Oklahoma (choice of E. coli, enterococci, or fecal coliforms) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (E. coli and enterococci) Michigan (E. coli and fecal coliforms) New Jersey (enterococci and fecal coliforms) New York (fecal and total coliforms) Rhode Island (fecal and total coliforms) Twelve tribes use or have proposed using fecal coliform densities for evaluating freshwater quality, one uses enterococci, and two use or have proposed using E. coli. Of those jurisdictions having marine water quality standards, 17 states and three trust territories use fecal coliforms: Alabama Alaska American Samoa California Florida Georgia Guam Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Mississippi New Jersey New York North Carolina Six states and one territory use enterococci: Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Maine Oregon Rhode Island South Carolina Texas Virgin Islands Virginia Washington New Hampshire New Jersey (1500ft-3mifrom shoreline) One state and two territories use a combination of fecal coliforms and enterococci: California (San Diego Region, Shore) Puerto Rico Trust Territory Six states and the District of Columbia have included provisions in which the numeric criteria for bacteria standards do not apply where CSOs and storm water discharges are likely to result in violations: Delaware District of Columbia Iowa Michigan Missouri North Carolina Utah ------- Twenty-one states have seasonal standards, where the criteria apply only during the swimming season: Alabama Arkansas Georgia Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska North Dakota Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Dakota Vermont West Virginia Wyoming 10 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards - Detailed Overview Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Region State Region 1 Connecticut Class AA 100TC No single sample to exceed 500 TC. Class AA waters are not meant for contact recreation. Class A/SA 33 EN 100TC 33 EN No single sample may exceed 61 EN. TC value is monthly moving average. No more than 10% of TC samples may exceed 500. Class B/SB 33 EN 200 FC 33 EN No single sample may exceed 61 EN. No more than 10% of FC single samples may exceed 400. Comments: Maine Class AA& (see (see note) A/SA note) Note: Bacteria content may be as naturally occurs. Class B/SB 64 EC 8 EN For season May 15—September 30. Class B may not exceed instantaneous level of 427 EC. Class SB may not exceed instantaneous level of 54 EN. Class C/SC 142 EC 14 EN For season May 15-September 30. Class C may not exceed instantaneous level of 949 EC. Class SC may not exceed instantaneous level of 94 EN. Comments: Massachusetts Class A/SA 20 FC 200 FC Primary freshwater value based on arithmetic mean. No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 100 and 400, respectively, Marine value may be applied seasonally. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 11 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region 1 Massachusetts Class B/SB 200 FC 200 FC Comments: New Hampshire Comments: Rhode Island No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Marine value may be applied seasonally. Class C/SC 1000FC 1000FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 2000. Class A 47 EC 35 EN No single sample may exceed 153 EC or 104 EN, respectively. For "beach," no single sample may exceed 88 EC. Based on minimum of 3 samples taken in a 60-day period. Class B 126 EC 35 EN Class B (beaches) Temporary Partial Use No single sample may exceed 406 EC or 104 EN, respectively. Based on minimum of 3 samples taken in a 60-day period. 47 EC No single sample may exceed 88 EC. Based on minimum of 3 samples taken in a 60-day period. (none) (none) (none) (none) Class A/SA 100TC 20 FC 70 TC 15FC Primary values based on median. No more than 10% of TC samples may exceed 500 and 330, respectively. No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200 and 50, respectively. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 12 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region 1 Rhode Island Class B/SB 1000 TC 700 TC Values based on median. No more than 20% and 10% of TC samples may exceed 2400 and 2300, respectively. 200 FC 50 FC Values based on median. No more than 20% and 10% of FC samples may exceed 500 and 500, respectively. Class C/SC (see note) (see note) Note: None in concentrations that would impair any uses assigned to this class. Comments: Marine FC criteria are guides pending further research. Vermont Class A 18 EC Class B 77 EC Secretary may waive October 31-April 1. Comments: Region 2 New Jersey Saline Coastal (SC) Waters 50 FC Within 1500 ft of Coastline 35 EN Freshwater 2 (FW2) 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 13 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Region 2 New Jersey Comments: New York FW2 (cont.) 33 EN No single sample may exceed 61 EN. Saline Estuary 1 (SE1) and SC 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. 1500 ft-3 mi from shoreline 35 EN No single sample may exceed 104 EN. Saline Estuary 2 (SE2) 770 FC Saline Estuary 3 (SE3) 1500FC Mainstem Delaware River and Delaware Bay: Zones 1C, ID, IE, 6 200 FC Zone 2 200 FC 770 FC Primary RM 133.4-117.81; secondary RM 133.4- 108.4 Zones 3,4 770 FC Zone 5 200 FC 770 FC Primary RM 59.5-48.2; secondary RM 78.8-59.5 Class AA 50 TC Value based on median. No more than 20% of TC samples may exceed 240. Standards apply during periods of disinfection. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 14 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region State Region 2 New York Class A Class B/SB Class C/SC Class D/SD Class I Class A-Special (A-S) Fresh Surface Water 2400 TC 200 FC TC value based on median. No more than 20% of TC samples may exceed 20,000. 2400 TC 200 FC 2400 TC 200 FC TC values based on median. No more than 20% of TC samples may exceed 5000. 2400 TC 200 FC 2400 TC 200 FC TC values based on median. No more than 20% of TC samples may exceed 5000. 2400 TC 200 FC 2400 TC 200 FC TC values based on median. No more than 20% of TC samples may exceed 5000. Criteria apply only to Class D waters. There are no bacterial criteria for Class SD waters. Class SD waters are not meant for recreational purposes. 10000 TC 2000 FC 1000 TC 200 FC Comments: Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 15 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region 2 Puerto Rico Class SA Class SB Class SC Class SD Class SE Comments: Virgin Islands Class A Class B Class C Comments: (see note) Note: May not be altered except by natural causes. 35 EN 200 FC 35 EN for "intensely used waters"; otherwise, 200 FC. No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 400. 10,000 TC 2000 FC No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 4000. 10,000 TC 2000 FC No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 4000. (see note) Note: None of the parameters may be altered, except by natural causes. (see note) Note: Existing natural conditions are not to be changed. 70 FC 100FC Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 16 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region 3 Delaware Comments: District of Columbia Comments: Maryland Comments: 100 ENf 100 ENt The criteria are valid only under conditions characterized by the absence of rainfall-induced runoff. These values are Delaware's water quality standards. 193 ENf 155 ENf These are Delaware's 1997 Recreational Water Quality Guidelines for bathing beaches. No single freshwater sample may exceed 360 EN. No single marine sample may exceed 2,212 EN, or 460 EN within one-half mile of Indian River Inlet. fEPA has not yet approved these criteria. 200 FCf lOOOFCf Numeric standard for FC, DO, turbidity, and unionized NH3 do not apply for 24 hr following high flow conditions. fEPA has not yet approved these criteria. 200 FC 200 FC 200 FC 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Pennsylvania Bacl Bac2 Bac3 200 FC Swimming season (May 1-September 30). 2000 FC applies during the rest of the year. 5000 FC No more than 20% of samples may exceed 5000 FC. No more than 5% of samples may exceed 20,000 FC. 5000 FC Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coll); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 17 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary [ Primary Secondary Region State Region 3 Pennsylvania Bac4 770 FC Delaware River from head of tide to Burlington Bristol Bridge. Bac 5 200 FC Delaware River from Burlington Bristol Bridge to Pennsylvania-Delaware line. Comments: Virginia 200IFC 200 FC 20.H£ ™.F9. Based on two or more samples over 30 days. No sample may exceed a maximum of 1000 FC. Comments: West Virginia Categories A&C 200FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Ohio River 2000 FC (Category C) For nonrecreation season November-April only. Comments: Region 4 Alabama 2. °..0. ££ ?®*FC 1W.*9. 19.9.?? Primary applies year-round. Secondary applies for out of season (October-May). Out of season mean 2000 FC; 4000 FC sample maximum for freshwater and marine waters. Comments: Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 18 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region 4 Florida Comments: Georgia Comments: Kentucky Comments: Freshwater Marine Region State Class Primary Secondary Primary Secondary 200 FC 200 FC No more than 10% FC samples may exceed 400; 800 FC on any one day. 1000 TC maximum for monthly average. No more than 20% of TC single samples may exceed 1000. 2400 TC maximum on any one day. Based on minimum of 10 samples. 200 FC 200 FC 100FC 200 FC Primary applies year-round. Secondary applies for out of season (October-May). Out of season, 1000 FC; 4000 FC sample maximum. Based on minimum of 4 samples. 200 FC 1000FC For May-October; no more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. Out of season, secondary contact criteria used for primary waters. Mississippi Recreation 200 FC 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Fish & Wildlife 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. From November to April, secondary applies and no more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 4000. Comments: Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. colt); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 19 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region State Region 4 North Carolina Class SA 14 FC (shellfishing) Based on median value. No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 43 in those areas most probably exposed to fecal contamination during the most unfavorable hydrographic and pollution conditions. Class B/SB (Primary Recreation, 200 FC 200 FC FreshYTidal Salt) No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 400. Class C/SC 200 FC 200 FC (Secondary - - - • N° more than 20% °f FC samPles may exceed 400' Violations are expected immediately following periods of rainfall in segments where uncontrollable nonpoint source pollution prevents attainment. Comments: ^^^ South Carolina Class FW/SA 200 FC 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Class SB 1000 FC No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 2000. Comments: ___^___ Tennessee Recreation 200 FC Based on minimum of 10 samples. No single FC sample may exceed 1000. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. colt); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 20 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Region 4 Tennessee Comments: Domestic Water 1000 FC Supply Based on a minimum of 10 samples. No single FC sample may exceed 5000. Fish & Wildlife 1000 FC Based on a minimum of 10 samples. No single FC sample may exceed 5000. Region 5 Illinois Comments: Indiana Comments: Michigan Comments: 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Lake Michigan 20 FC 125 EC For season April through October. May not exceed 235 EC. 130 EC 200 FC May be exceeded if due to uncontrollable nonpoint sources. Primary standard can be temporarily suspended due to flood, accident, or emergencies that affect a sewer or wastewater treatment system. Can be suspended November 1-April 30. The EC value is used for ambient monitoring; the FC value is used for assessing effluent discharges. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 21 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary ] Primary Secondary Region State Region 5 Minnesota Class A 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Criterion applies only during the March 1-Qctober 31 season. Class B 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 2000. Criterion applies only during the March 1-October 31 season. Comments: Ohio Lake Erie & Ohio River Uses 200 FC 126 EC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. No more than 10% of EC samples may exceed 235. Based on not less than 5 samples taken during any 30-day period. Rest of state 1000FC 126 EC 5000 FC 576 EC Comments: Wisconsin No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 2000 and 5000, respectively. No more than 10% of EC samples may exceed 298 [primary] and 576 [secondary]. Both Lake Erie and the Ohio River are designated as bathing waters. For each designation, at least one of the two bacterial standards (FC or EC) must be met. These criteria apply outside the mixing zone. 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Specific water segments have variances which allow 1000FC. Comments: Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 22 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region State Region 6 Arkansas Comments: Lousiana Comments: New Mexico Comments: Oklahoma Comments: 200 FC 1000 FC No more than 10% of FC sample may exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. For extraordinary resource waters, primary standard always applies; for other waters, primary standard in effect April l-September30. Rest of year, secondary applies. 200 FC 1000FC 200 FC 1000 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. 200 FC 1000 FC Select Segments: No single sample may exceed 400 FC or 2000 FC, respectively. 100 FC No single sample may exceed 200 FC 200 FC 126 EC 33 EN Narrative For May-September; rest of year, secondary narrative applies. No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Adopted WQS to allow choice o/FC, EC, EN. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 23 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Region 6 Texas 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC No more than 10% of samples may exceed 400 FC. If 10 or fewer samples collected, no single sample may exceed 400 FC and 4000 FC, respectively. Houston Ship Channel 168 EN Comments: Region 7 Iowa Comments: Kansas Comments: Missouri Comments: No more than 10% of EN samples (if more than 10 samples) or a single sample (if fewer than 10 samples) may exceed 500. This criterion applies for two segments of the Houston Ship Channel. Texas Department of Health uses most probable number (MPN) methodology; Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission uses membrane filtration (MF) methodology. 200 FC For April 1-October 31 season. Excepted when waters are materially affected by surface runoff, but FC levels downstream from discharge may not be >200 more than the background level upstream. 200 FC 2000 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Primary contact use applies April 1-October 31. Secondary applies year-round. Classified surface -waters may be excluded from the application of the numeric criteria for fecal coliform -when stream flow exceeds 50% of the estimated 2-year flood'flow. 200 FC For periods when the stream or lake is not affected by storm water runoff. Applies April 1-October 30. State applies FC WQC to designated losing streams also, but on a year- round basis. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 24 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region 7 Nebraska Comment: 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Applies May 1- September 30. Region 8 Colorado Comments: 200 FC 2000 FC Montana Class A 50 FC Class B-E 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Comments: North Dakota Comments: South Dakota Comments: 200 FC Only during recreation season May 1-September 30. 200 FC 1000 FC No more than 20% of FC samples may exceed 200 and 1000, respectively. Any one FC sample may not exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. Criteria apply May 1-September 30. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. colt); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 25 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region State Region 8 Utah Comments: Wyoming Comments: Class 2A 1000 TC 200 FC Class 2B Failure of stream to meet WQS when flow is unusually high is not a cause for action if discharger is meeting permit requirements. 5000 TC 200 FC 200 FC 1000FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. For recreational season May 1 -September 30. Region 9 American Samoa Comments: Arizona Comments: 100 FC 100 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200. 130 EC 1000 FC Single sample maximum of 580 EC in primary. No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400 and 2000, respectively. Limits of 200 FC also apply to secondary waters that are effluent-dominated. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 26 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region State Region 9 California North Coastal Region 50 FC 50 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. SF Bay Region 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC 240 TC 240 TC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. 33ENf 126 ECf fMaximum EN and EC limits vary by level of use. Central Coast 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC Region " No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Los Angles 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC Region No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Central Valley 200 FC Region No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Fplsom Lake: 100 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200. Lahontan 20 FC Region o ...... [[[ (Eagle Lake Susan No more ^^ 10o/0 of pc samples may exceed 400. River, Lake Tahoe) Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region 9 California Colorado River Basin Region 200 FC 33 EN 126 EC 630 EC 165 EN No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Also maximum limits for EN and EC vary by level of use. Santa Ana Region 200 FC 2000 FC 200 FC 2000 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400; 100 TC maximum in lakes and streams designated as domestic water supply. San Diego Region Ocean Plan 200 FC 2000 FC 33 EN 126 EC 200 FC 35 EN 1000TC 200 FC 2000 FC No more than 20% of TC samples may exceed 1000 in bays and estuaries. No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Shore 24 EN 12 EN mean over 6 months. Comments: Hawaii 200 FC VENf Inland: based on minimum of 10 samples. No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. f Marine: based on minimum of 5 samples. Comments: Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. AH numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 28 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Region State Region 9 Guam Ml/S I/Shellfish (see note) (see note) Note: TC may not be increased from natural conditions at any time. M2/S2 M3/S3 70 FC 70 FC Values based on arithmetic mean. No FC samples may exceed 400 at any time. 200 FC 200 FC Comments: Values based on arithmetic mean. No FC sample may exceed 400 at any time. All Guam standards based on a minimum of 4 samples. Common- wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Comments: All waters Class AA Class 1 Class A Class 2 200 FC No FC samples may 33 EN 125 EC 90 EN 300 EC All Mariana Islands standards based on 200 FC exceed 400 at any time. 35 EN 35 EN 125 EN a minimum of 5 samples. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coll); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 29 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region 9 Nevada Class A and B 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Waters not listed below 200 FC 1000 FC More stringent of the following: For 1000 FC, no more than 20% of samples may exceed 2400 FC. Annual geometric mean FC concentration may not exceed characteristics of natural conditions by more than 200 FC, nor 400 FC in a single sample. For primary, no more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Lake Tahoe and Tributaries and 126 EC Humboldt River ' " ".""'.' ' '" """"'" Basjn Lake Tahoe also has FC limits between 5 and 32 (median) for offshore and undeveloped lake shore. Humboldt River Basin has single value of 406 EC. Comments: Trust Territory Classes AA and 1 (shellfish) 70 FC 70 FC Values based on median. No FC single sample may exceed 230. Classes 33 EN AAand A " ' No EN smgle.sample may exceed 60. Classes A, B, and 2 200 FC 200 FC No FC single sample may exceed 400. Comments: All Trust Territory standards based on a minimum of 10 samples. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 30 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Marine Primary Secondary Primary Secondary Region Alaska 10 100 FC 200 FC 100FC 200 FC Comments: No more than 1 sample, or 10% of the samples if there are more than 10 samples, may exceed 200 FC and 400 FC for both freshwater and marine, primary and secondary, respectively. Alaska designates all waters for all uses, and the most stringent criteria must be used. Therefore, for freshwater, the drinking -water use criterion of 20 FC usually drives most NPDESpermit actions, 303(d) listings, and TMDL development. For marine -waters, the most stringent bacterial criterion is for the seafood processing use = 20 FC (no more than 10% of the samples may exceed 40 FC). Even though Alaska has 100 FC/200 FC as its recreation criteria, more stringent criteria for other use categories take precedence. Idaho Comments: Oregon Comments: 50 FC 200 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200 and 400, respectively. May not exceed 500 and 800, respectively, at any time. Levels apply during season May 1-September 30 for primary only; secondary applies all other times. 126 EC HFC No freshwater single sample may exceed 406 EC. No more than 10% of FC marine samples may exceed 43. For estuarine waters other than shellfish growing, same criterion as freshwater criterion. For estuarine waters with shellfish, same criterion as marine. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 31 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Freshwater Marine Class Primary Secondary | Primary Secondary Region State Region Washington Class AA 10 (extraordinary) 50 FC 14 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 100 and 43, respectively. Class A 100FC 14FC (excellent) " " " No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 200 and 43, respectively. Class B 200 FC 100 FC (good) No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400 and 200, respectively. Only designated for secondary contact. Class C ' 200 FC (fair) No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 400. Only designated for secondary contact. Lake Class 50 FC No more than 10% of FC samples may exceed 100. Coleville Conf. Class I 8 EN Tribes (extraordinary) No single sample may exceed 35 EN. Class II 16 EN (excellent) No single sample may exceed 75 EN. Class El 33 EN (good) No single sample may exceed 150 EN. Only designated for secondary contact. Lake Class 33 EN No single sample may exceed 150 EN. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coif); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 32 ------- Bacterial Water Quality Standards by EPA Region Region State Class Freshwater Primary Secondary Marine Primary Secondary Region Washington 10 (Coleville Conf. Tribes) Class IV (special resource waters) (see note) Note: May not exceed natural conditions. Applies for both primary and secondary waters. Comments: Chehalis and Puyallup tribal -water quality standards are identical to Washington's standards for bacteria. Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Offices and Office of Science and Technology, Standards and Applied Science Division. Notes: EN = enterococci; EC = Escherichia coli (E. coli); FC = fecal coliforms; TC = total coliforms. All numbers indicate the number of microorganisms per 100 mL not to be exceeded, based on the geometric mean of not less than 5 samples taken over a 30-day period, unless otherwise noted. 33 ------- ------- |