ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Water Programs
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA
Division of Water Ghaality Standards
Washington, D. C.
June 1971
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June 1971
Alabama
Alaska
vj
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 2
California (cont.) be subject to control. "The Total Plankton Population
Shall Be Maintained Below Bloom Level: This objective
is designed to protect fishlife and recreational use of
the lake by limiting the concentration of plankton below
the bloom level which is defined as that plankton con-
centration which causes significant nuisance conditions,
or significantly affects desirable fish population."
Sacromento-San Juan Delta no phosphate criteria or
statement. "Materials Stimulating Algal Growth."
"Materials stimulating algal growth shall not be
present in concentration sufficient to cause objection-
able algal densities." "Plankton Blooms are encouraged
by the presence, in sufficient concentrations of several
nutrient materials. Amoung these are nitrogen, phos-
phorus, silica, vitamins, iron and other metals and
dissolved salts.
Tidal Waters Inland From The Golden Gate Within The
San Francisco Bay Region - ..."In no case shall
nutrients be present in concentrations sufficient to
cause deleterious or abnormal biotic growths except
when factors which are not controllable cause greater
concentrations. (^Note A)."
WestFork Carson River: "Phosphates: A mean annual
concentration less than 0.05 mg/1 and a maximum con-
centration not to exceed 0.1 mg/1 at any time."
Truckee River: "Phosphates: A mean annual concentra-
tion less than 0.1 mg/1, and a maximum concentration not
to exceed 0.3 mg/1 at any time."
East Fork Carson River; "Phosphates: A mean annual
concentration less than 0.1 mg/1, and a maximum con-
centration not to exceed 0.2 mg/1 at any time."
West Walker River and Lake Topaz: "Phosphates: A mean
annual concentration less than 0.2 mg/1, and a maximum
concentration not to exceed 0.3 mg/1 at any time."
East Walker River: "A mean annual concentration less
than 0.5 mg/1, and a maximum concentration not to exceed
1.0 mg/1 at any time."
New River: No narrative statement or specific criteria
concerning phosphates.
Colorado River in California: The only statement that
might be applicable to phosphate problems is the following
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 3
California (cont.) narrative statement: "The waters shall be free from
materials attributable to domestic or industrial waste
or other controllable sources, which may produce taste
or odor in the water or detectable off-flavor in the
flesh of fish, that may alter the water's existing
color or turbidity, or that may adversely affect other
conditions in the river."
Lake Tahoe: Soluble Phosphorus: A mean annual concen-
tration not greater than 7 micrograms per liter at any
point in the lake.',1 A plankton count criteria related
to nutrients including phosphates and nitrates is in-
cluded: "Plankton Count; A mean seasonal concentration
not greater than 100 per milliliter and a maximum con-
centration not greater than 500 per milliliter at any
point in the lake."
Another plankton standard related to nutrients is:
"Plankton Growth Potential: A mean annual growth
potential at any point in the lake not greater than
twice the mean annual growth potential at the limnetic
reference station."
They have stringent narrative statements on foreign
materials and taste and odor which would include phos-
phates and other nutrients.
1. Foreign Material: None which impairs the natural
beauty, clarity, or purity of the lake."
2. Taste and Odor Causing Substances: None which
imparts foreign taste or odor to the lake waters."
Coastal Waters, Point Pedras Blancas to Pescadero Point:
Phosphates and other nutrients are not covered by these
standards -
Coastal Waters, Rincon Point to Point Arguallo: Phos-
phates and other nutrients are not covered by these
standards.
Coastal Water, Point Auguello to Point Piedras Blancas :
Phosphates and other nutrients are not covered by these
standards .
Pacific Ocean Pescadero Point to Mouth of Tomales Bay/
Bolinas Lagoon, Drakes Estero, Limantour, Estero, Portions
of Tomales Bay and tidal Porti Ons of coastal streams:
Nutrients which include phosphates, nitrates and others
are covered by the following narrative statement: "None
in concentrations sufficient to cause deleterious or
abnormal biotic growths except when factors which are not
controllable cause greater concentrations."
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 4
California (cont.) Humboldt-Del Norte Coastal Waters: The following
narrative statement on Toxic or other Deleterious
substances applies to phosphates, nitrates, and
other nutrients: "Toxic or Other Deleterious Sub-
stances : There shall be no organic or inorganic
substances in concentrations which cause
deleterious growths of algae or other plant life."
Pacific Ocean Coastal Waters, Rincon Point to San
Gabriel River: The only standard that might be
applicable is the following narrative statement:
"Other Materials; Other materials shall not be
present in concentrations that would be deleterious
to fish, plant or aquatic wildlife."
Mendocino Coast: The following narrative statement
applies to phosphates, nitrates, and other nutrients:
"Toxic or Other Deleterious Substances: There shall
be no organic or inorganic substances in concentrations
which are toxic or detrimental to human, animal, plant,
or aquatic life, which impart undesirable tastes or odors
to species of commercial or sport importance, or which
cause deleterious growths of algae or other plant life."
Pacific Ocean San Gabriel River to Drainage Divide
Between Muddy Canyon and Moro Canyon: Under objective
rationale they state: "Nutrients The research
to date had not been able to develop satisfactory
criteria for nutrient levels in open sea water that will
not over-stimulate plankton production. Thus, a standard
for nutrients is omitted until a basis for such can be
found."
Humbolt Bay: The following narrative statement covers
all the nutrients including phosphate: "There shall be
no orgainic or inorganic substances in concentrations...
which cause deleterious growths of algae or other plant
life."
Sonoma - Marin Coast: The following narrative statement
covers all the nutrients including phosphate. "There
shall be no organic or inorganic substances in concen-
trations which cause deleterious growths of algae
or other plant life."
San Diego Bay; The following narrative statement
does not specifically name phosphates but applies to
all nutrients of which phosphates are one of the
important ones: "Nutrient levels shall be limited
to these levels necessary to minimize phytoplankton
blooms, thus preventing unsightliness, turbidity, color,
and oxygen depression."
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 5
California (cont.) Harbors, Marinas and Tidal Prisms in Los Angeles and
Ventura Counties; The following narrative statement
does not specifically mention phosphates but applies
to all nutrients of which phosphates are one of the
important ones. Nutrients: Nutrients of other than
natural origin shall not be present in concentrations
capable of causing proliferation of plankton -or other
undesirable biotic growths.
Klamath River in California: The following narrative
statement does not specifically mention phosphate but
applies to all nutrients of which phosphates are one
of the important ones: "Concentrations of dissolved
nutrients shall be maintained at levels below those
which may cause undesirable algae blooms, slime or
bacterial growth, or other undesirable biological
growths."
Tijuana River Basin in California: "Concentrations
of nitrates and phosphates of waste origin, by them-
selves or in combination with naturally occurring
nutrients, shall be maintained at levels below those
which stimulate algae and emergent plant growth."
Smith River: The following narrative statement does
not specifically mention phosphate but includes all
nutrients of which phosphate is one of the important
ones. "There shall be no organic or inorganic sub-
stances in concentrations which cause undesirable
algae blooms, lime or bacterial growth, or other
undesirable biological growths."
Mission Bay Including Tidal Prism of San Diego River
and Agua Hedionda Lagoon: "Nutrients: Concentrations
of nitrates and phosphates of waste origin, by them-
selves or in combination with naturally occurring
nutrients, shall be maintained at levels below those
which stimulate algae and emergent plant growth."
San Gabriel River Tidal Prism: Nutrients: of other
than natural origin, shall not be present in concen-
trations capable of causing proliferation of unde-
sirable biotic growths."
Coastal Bays, Marinas and Sloughs Between the San
Gabriel River and the Drainage Divide Between Muddy
Canyon and Moro Canyon: "Nutrients; Nutrients
(nitrogen, silicate, and phosphate) shall not be
present, except from natural conditions, in amounts
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California (cont.)
Colorado
Connecticut
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 6
that will cause deleterious or abnormal growths to
occur on the substrate or to foster biotic growths
that are harmful to beneficial uses."
-There are no specific criteria for any of the nutrients.
The narrative statement concerning toxic materials might
restrict phosphate at levels where damage to aquatic
life occurred. This statement is as follows: "Toxic
material: Free from biocides, toxic or other deleterious
substances attributable to municipal, domestic, or
industrial wastes, or other controllable sources in
levels, concentrations or combinations sufficient to
be harmful to aquatic life."
-The narrative statements concerning taste and odor and
chemical constituents are the only standards that could
apply to phosphates. "Taste and Odor:" For water
supply: "None other than of natural origin." Class B
and C waters: "None in such concentrations that would
impair any usuages specifically assigned to this Class
nor cause taste and odor in edible fish." Class D:
"None in such concentrations that would impair any usages
specifically assigned to this class." For coastal and
Marine waters: Class A: "None allowable."
Class SB,SC, SD: "None in such concentration that
would impair any usages specifically assigned to this
Class and none that would cause taste and odor in edible
fish or shellfish."
Chemical constituents (freshwater): Class A,B,C, and D.
'Voters shall be free from cheraical constituents in con-
centrations or combinations which would be harmful to
human, animal, or aquatic life for the appropriate, most
sensitive and governing considerations and approved limits
have not been established, bioassay shall be performed as
required by the appropriate agencies. For public
drinking water supplies the raw water sources must be of
such a quality that United States Public Health Service
limits, or State limits if more stringent, for finished
water can be met after conventional water treatment."
Chemical constituents (coastal and marine): Class SA:
"None in concentrations or combinations which would be
harmful to human, animal, or aquatic life or which would
make the waters unsafe or unsuitable for fish or shell-
fish or their propagation, impair the pdlatability of
same, or impair the waters for any other use.
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Connecticut (cont.)
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawai i
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 7
"Class SB, SC, and SD; None in concentrations or
combinations which would be harmful to human, animal,
or aquatic life or which would make the waters unsafe
or unsuitable for fish or shellfish or their propaga-
tion, or impair the water for any other usuage assigned
to this Class."
-The following declaration of policy in 6301, Chapter 63,
Title 7, Part VII, Delaware Code is:
"(a) It is declared to be the public policy of the State
to maintain within its jurisdiction a reasonable quality
of water consistent with public health and public enjoy-
ment thereof, the propagation and protection of fish and
wild life, including birds, mammals, and other terr«-
estrial and aquatic life, and the industrial development
of the State.
(b) It is the purpose of this chapter to safeguard the
quality of state waters againist pollution by (1) pre-
venting new pollution in such waters and (2) controlling
any existing pollution."
The adopted standards approved by the Secretary with
certain exceptions and recommendations that could apply
to phosphates are those concerned with toxic substances
and taste, odor and color causing substances: "Toxic
Substances: None in concentrations harmful
(synergistically or otherwise) to humans, fish, shell-
fish, wildlife and aquatic life. Taste, Odor and Color
Causing Substances: None in concentrations which cause
tastes, odors, colors, or impart tastes to fish and othei
aquatic life."
-There are no specific criteria for nutrients such as
phosphate and no narrative statement directly applicable
to nutrients such as phosphate. The only item in the
water quality standards of Florida, as approved, that
might be used to protect that States waters from ex<-
cessive amounts of phosphates and there accompanying
problems would be the anti-degradation statement.
-There are no specific criteria for nutrients such as
phosphate, nor is there a narrative statement directly
concerned with phosphate or other nutrients.
-"Nutrient Materials All Waters;
Total phosphorus, not greater than
0.020 mg/1.
Total phosphorus, not greater than
0.025 mg/1.
Applicable to;
Class AA
Class A
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Hawaii (cont.)
Idaho
Illinois
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 8
'Nutrient Materials All Waters:
Total phosphorus, not greater
than 0.030.
Applicable to;
Class B
The following revision of water quality standards
regarding nutrients was submitted in a letter dated
December 26, 1967 prior to approval by the Secretary
from Walter B. Quisenberry, M.I), to Mr William B.
Schroeder; "Insert the following section immediately
preceding the section titled "Wastes from \essels and
Marinas:"
"Control of Nutrients"
"Nutrient discharges were pointed out in testimony
as being a potential problem in several water areas such
as Kaneohe Bay and Pearl Harbor. The agency is cognizant
of this potential problem and nutrient limits have been
included in the water quality criteria. At present the
Agency knows of no practicable methods for the control
measures when the means to do so become available."
Hawaii has never adopted and submitted for approval an
antidegradation statement that also could be used for the
protection of its high quality waters from problems due
to excessive nutrients such as phosphates.
-Under the section titled "GENERAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FOR INTERSTATE STREAMS" is the narrative statement
Interstate waters shall not contain:.....Excess nutrients
of other than natural origin that cause visible slime
growths or other nuisance aquatic growths.
There is no specific criteria for nutrients such as
phosphates and Idaho does not have an approved anti-
degradation statemtnt to protect existing high quality
waters from excessive amounts of nutrients such as
phosphate.
-The water quality standards for the Interstate Waters,
Wabash River and Tributary Streams Crossing into Indiana,
Interstate Waters Mississippi River Between Illinois and
Missouri, Interstate Waters Ohio River and Saline River,
and the Interstate Waters Mississippi River Common
Boundary Between Illinois and Iowa do not include
specific criteria or a narrative statement directly
concerned with limits for phosphates and other nutrients.
Specific criteria for phosphate concentrations was
included in the water quality standards for the following
interstate waters:
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 9
Illinois (cont. ) 1. Interstate Waters Illinois River and Lower Section
of Des Plaines River:
a. Public Water Supply and Food Processing:
'.'Not to exceed 4.0 mg/1 Phosphate. . . .
45 rag/1."
b. There are no specific criteria or narrative
statement concerning limits for phosphates and
other nutrients assigned sectors of these waters
classified for Aquatic Life, Recreation, and
Industrial Water Supply.
2- Interstate Waters Chicago River and Calumet River
System and Calumet Harbor Basin; "Total Phosphorus,
Annual Average not more than 0.05. Single Daily
Value or Average, not more than 0.10.
3. Interstate Waters Lake Michigan and Little Calumet
River, Grand Calumet River and Wolf Lake;
a. Lake Michigan Open Water:
Total Phosphates (P04)
Annual Average - not more than 0.03
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than
0.04.
b. Lake Michigan Shore Water:
Total Phosphates:
Annual Average - not more than 0.03 mg/1
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than
0.04 mg/1.
c. Little Calumet River;
None
d. Wolf Lake:
Total Phosphates:
Annual Average - not more than 0.03 mg/1
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than
0.04 mg/1.
The following effluent criteria for phosphate and other
nutrients has been adopted by the State as part of their
standards. "Phosphate - Discharge rate and concentration
not to elevate the stream, after reasonable admixture,
above 4.0 mg/1." The State has an approved antidegrada-
tion statement that could be used to protect existing
high quality waters from excessive phosphate concentra-
tions causing problems.
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 10
Indiana -There are no specific criteria or narrative statement
limiting phosphate or other nutrient substances in the
Indiana water quality standards for any of the inter-
state basins other than the Lake Michigan drainages,
unless the antidegradation statement could be applied
for existing high quality waters.
Indiana recently revised Official Regulation SPCIR-1
and issued SPCIR-2 which limits the amount of phosphate
discharge into the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie basins.
The limitation is as follows:
1 'Phosphorus Removal In Great Lakes Tributary Basins :
The following municipalities will be required to pro-
vide at least 80 percent reduction of total phosphorus
on or before the end of 1972:
a. Lake Michigan Basin - Angola, Elkhart , Kendall-
ville, Mishawaka Valparaiso, Chesterton, Gary
Lagrange Nappanee, Crown Point, Goshen, Ligonier,
Portage, East Chicago, Hobart, Michigan City,
South Bend.
b. Lake Erie Basin - Auburn, Butler, Diversified
Utilities, Garrett , Berne, Decatur, Fort Wayne,
New Haven . ' '
Phosphorus and other nutrient substances criteria for
the Lake Michigan Basins :
Lake Michigan Open Water :
Total Phosphates (PO,/;.) mg/1
Annual Average - not more than 0 . 03
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.04.
Lake Michigan Shore Waters:
Total Phosphates (FOa) mg/1
Annual Average - not more than 0.03.
Single Daily Average or Value - not more than 0.04
Lake Michigan Inner Harbor Basin:
Total Phosphates (P04) - mg/1
Annual Average - not more than 0.05.
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.10.
Indiana Harbor Canal:
Total Phosphates (PO^) ng/1
Annual Average - not more than 0.05.
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.10
Grand Calumet River:
No phosphate criteria or narrative statement.
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Indiana (cont.)
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 11
Little Calumet River:
No phosphates criteria or narrative statement.
Wolf Lake:
Total Phosphates (PO^.) mg/1
Annual Average - not more than 0.03.
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than '
0.04.
-The following narrative statement could, in my opinion,
be used to limit the amount of phosphate and other
nutrients in the aquatic environment:
1. Public Water Supply
All substances detrimental to treatment processes
shall be limited to non-detrimental concentrations
in the surface water.
2. Aquatic Life
All substances detrimental to aquatic life shall
be limited to non-detrimental concentrations in
the surface waters.
-The only standards regarding the limiting of phosphates
in the aquatic environment are as follows:
1. Antidegradation statement - Existirjg high quality
waters could be protected from damages resulting
from the discharge of effluent containing high
phosphate concentrations to the aquatic environ-
ment .
2. The general criteria assigned to all of Kansas
Interstate Basins - "Pollutional substances will be
maintained below maximum permissible concentrations
which would be detrimental for public water supplies
recreation requirements detrimental for public
water supplies, recreation requirements, ....and
other established beneficial uses."
-All interstate waters of Louisiana are assigned a general
criteria which could be used to protect such waters from
excessive concentrations of phosphates or other nutrients.
This statement with slight variations of use classifica-
tions is:
Wastes after discharge shall not create condi-
tions which will adversely affect public health or
use of the water for the following purposes: domes-
tic or industrial water supply, propagation of aqua-
tic life, agricultural water, recreation, and other
legitimate uses.
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Maine
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 12
-There are no specific criteria or narrative statement
that limit the amount of phosphate in the interstate
waters of Maine.
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
-There are no specific criteria or narrative statement
that limits the amount of phosphate in the interstate
waters of Maryland. Freshwater Interstate.
-Class A (Public Water Supply) have no criteria or narra-
tive statement concerning phosphate or other nutrients.
Class B (Public Water Supply and Recreation) "Total
phosphate not to exceed an average of 0 . 05 xng/1 as P
during any monthly sampling period."
Class C (Fish and Wildlife) Total phosphate not to ex-
ceed and average of 0.05 mg/1 as P during any monthly
sampling period.
Class D (Power, Industry, Navigation) No specific
criteria, or narrative statement limiting concentration
of phosphate in Interstate water .
Coastal Waters;
Class SA (Recreation Shellfish) Total phosphate not to
exceed and average of 0.07 as P during any montly
sampling period.
Class SB (Recreation, Industry, Shellfish) Total
phosphate not to exceed an average of 0.07 mg/1 as
P during any monthly sampling period.
Class SC (Boating, fish and aquatic life, industry)
Total phosphate not to exceed and average of 0.07 mg/1
as P during monthly sampling period.
-The water quality standards have no specific criteria
or narrative statement directly limiting the concentra-
tion of phosphate or other nutrients in interstate waters
One of there Freedom Statements would cover nutrients,
"Free from substances attributable to municipal, indus-
trial, agricultural or other discharge producing color,
odor, or other conditions in such degree as to create
a nuisance. "
Mississippi has no specific criteria for phosphates.
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Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
By Interstate Waters
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 13
-Class Dl - Growth and propagation of Salmonid Fishes
and associated aquatic life, waterfowl and beavers.
Class D2 - Growth and propagation of Salmonid Fishes
and associated aquatic life, waterfowl and beavers.
Class D3 - Growth and propagation of Salmonid Fishes
and associated aquatic life, waterfowl and beavers.
Under the heading Esthetic considerations not covered
under other water quality criteria they state: "....
No excess nutrients which cause nuisance aquatic
growths...."
-The following narrative statement protects waters from
excessive nutrients including phosphates:
" These waters shall be free of substances
attributable to discharge or wastes having
substances and conditions or combinations thereof
in concentrations which produce undesirable aquatic
life."
No specific criteria. Has approved antidegradation
statement.
-West Fork Carson River
Total Phosphates (PC*4 mg/1)
Annual Average - not more than .05
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than .10
Leviathan Creek
No criteria or statement.
East Fork Carson River
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than .1
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than .2
Carson River (At Muller Lane)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than .10
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than .15
Carson River (Highway 395, So. of Carson)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.5
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 1.0
Carson River (Near New Empire)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 1.0
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 2.0
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 14
Nevada (cont.) Carson River (At Weeks)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.30
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.50
Lake Lahontan
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.40
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.60
West Walker River (Above diversion to Topaz Lake)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than .2
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than .3
Topaz Lake
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.2
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.3
West Walker River (Near Wellington)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than .2
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than .4
West Walker River (Above confluent with East Walker Rivet
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.2
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.4
Sweetwater Creek
No specific criteria. Has approved antidegradation
statement.
East Walker River (At State Line)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than .5
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 1.0
East Walker River (South of Yerington and above confluent
with W. Walker River.)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.50
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 1.00
Walker River (At J.J. Ranch)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.70
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.90
Desert Creek
No specific criteria. Antidegradation statement appro-
ved .
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 15
Nevada (cont.) Chiatovich Creek
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.15
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.20
Indian Creek
Total Phosphates
No specific criteria. Antidegradation'statement.
Leidy Creek (Above Hydoelectric Plant)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.04
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.08
Virgin River
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.04
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.08
Beaver Dam Wish (Above Schroeder Reservoir)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.03
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.04
Snake Creek (Above Fish Hatchery)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.03
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.04
Big Goose Creek ( At Ranch)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.15
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.20
Salmon Falls Creek (Highway 93, South of Jackpot)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.05
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.10
Shoshone Creek
No specific criteria. Approved antidegradation state-
ment .
East Fork,Jgrbidge River
No specific criteria. Approved antidegradation state-
ment.
Jarbidge River (Upstream from JarbjLdge)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.03
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.04
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 16
T/evada (cont.) Jarbidge River (Downstream of Jarbidge )
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.03
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.04
West Fort Bruneau (Diamond "E" Riad)
To t ql^Fhos phat e s
Annual Average - not more than 0.06
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.10
East Fork Owyhee River (Above Mill Creek)
No specific criteria. Approved antidegradation state-
ment .
East Fork Owyhee River (South of Owyhee)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.2
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.3
East Fork Owyhee River (State Line)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.06
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.10
South Fork Owyhee River
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.15
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.20
Creek (Approx. 30 mi. East of Susanville, California
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.05
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.07
Bronco Creek (At Hirschdale Road)
No specific criteria. Approved antidegradation state-
ment .
Gray Creek ( At Hirschdale Creek)
No specific criteria. Approved antidegradation state-
meat .
Truckee River (At Farad, California)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.1
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.3
Truckee River (At Idlewild)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.1
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.3
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA -17
Nevada (cont.)
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Truckee River (At Boynton Lane)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.25
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.40
Truckee River (Lagomansine Bridge)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.5
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 0.6
Truckee River (At Cenrsola Ranch)
Total Phosphates
Annual Average - not more than 0.75
Single Daily Value or Average - not more than 1.00
Lake Tahoe (All Points)
Soluable Phosphorus
Annual Average - not more than 7.0
Colorado River
No specific criteria.
-No specific criteria. No applicable narrative state-
ment. Have approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. Have approved antidegradation
statement.
-No specific criteria. No narrative statement. Approved
antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. No narrative statement. Approved
antidegradation statement.
-The following narrative statement seems to cover almost
any waste including phosphates.
"Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination
with other substances or wastes will not render the
waters unsafe or unsuitable as a source for drinking,
culinary or food processing purposes, injurious to
fish and wildlife or adversely affects the palatabil-
ity of same, or impair the waters for any other but
usage for this class."
-No specific criteria. Section II, C promises such cri-
teria as follows:
"C. The maximum practical reduction of nutrients, in-
cluding nitrogen, phosphorus and sugars, in sewage,
industrial, and other wastes shall be accomplished
as soon as a practical method is developed."
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North Dukoxu (c~>n..)
Ohio
Okie loma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 18
, narrative statement could he used on nutrient
prbblems including phosphates. It is: "None in
concentrations or combinations that interfere with,
or prove hazardous to, the intended water usage."
This applies to all interstate waters.
-T-Io specific criteria. The following narrative state-
ment could be applied to probleras due to phosphates:
"(3) Free from materials attributable to municipal,
industrial, or other discharges, or agricultural
prac .ices producing color, odor, or other conditions
in such degree as to create a nuisance; "
Have approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. Narrative statement for all
interstate river.-^s tributary streams is as follows:
"The quality of tributary streams shall be con-
trolled to prohibit the development of
public health hazards or nuisance conditions in
such tributaries."
It appears that this statement would apply to nut-
rient problems including phosphate. Have approved
antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. The following narrative state-
ment would apply to phosphate related problems:
"(5) The creation of tastes or odors or toxic or
other conditions that are deleterious to fish
or other aquatic life or affect the potability
of drinking water or the palatibility of fish
and shellfish."
Have approved antidegradation statement.
-Standard criteria that can be assigned to interstate
waters or sections of such waters at the descretion
of the Sanitary Water Board is as follows:
"P - Phosphorus (total soluable) - Not to exceed
0.10 mg/1 or natural levels, whichever is greater."
A brief inspection of criteria assigned to all or
portions of interstate waters indicate that phosphate
criteria were assigned to every few.
No narrative statement.
statement.
Do not have antidegradation
-No specific criteria. Narrative statement for all
freshwater classifications:
'Waters shall be free from chemical constituents in
concentrations or combinations which would be
harmful to aquatic life. "
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Rhode Island (cont.)
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 19
-Narrative statement for coastal waters:
"None in concentrations or combinations which
would be harmful to human, animal, or aquatic
life, or which would resolve the waters unsafe
or unsuitable for fish or shellfish or their
propagation, impair the waters for any other
uses . "
Approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. No narrative statement. No
approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. The following narrative
guide statements by use classifications could bft
used to restrict phosphates in problem areas:
"Domestic Raw Water Supply
K. Other Pollutants - other pollutants shall not
be added to the water in quantities that may be
detrimental to public health or impairs the
usefulness of the water as a source of domestic
water supply."
"Industrial Supply
Other pollutants - Other pollutants shall not
be added to the waters in quantities that may
adversely affect the water for industrial
processing."
"Fish and Aquatic Life
H. Other Pollutants - other pollutants shall
not be added to the waters that will be
detrimental to fish or aquatic life."
"Recreation
I. Other Pollutants - other pollutants shall not
be added to the water in quantities which may
have a detrimental effect on recreation."
No approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. A narrative statement that
could be used to protect waters from excessive
phosphate concentrations is:
"Taste and odor producing substances shall be
limited to concentrations in the waters of the
state that will not interfere with the pro-
duction of potable water by reasonable water
treatment methods, or impair unpotable flavor
to food fish, including shellfish, or result
in offensive odors rising from the waters or
otherwise interfere with the reasonable ase of
of the waters,"
Approved antidegradation statement.
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PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 20
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wyoming
-No specific criteria. Narrative statements:
Class A
"It shall be unlawful to discharge or place any
wastes or other substances in such a way as to in-
terfere with the stated Class "A" Water uses,
Class B
"It shall be unlawful to discharge or place any
wastes or other substances in such a way as to
interfere with the stated Class "B" water uses,...
Class C
"It shall be unlawful to discharge or place any
wastes or other substances in such a way as to
interfere with the stated Class "C" water uses,...'
Have approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. No narrative statement.
-No specific criteria. The following narrative state-
ment would apply in limitting problem causing phos-
phate concentrations:
"All waters within this State shall at all times be
free from all substances attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes, or other wastes in concentratior
or combinations which contravene established
standards or interfere directly or indirectly with
beneficial uses of such waters/ "
-No specific criteria. Water use classifications
AA, A, B, and C leave a narrative statement that
could be used to a limit problem causing concentra-
tions of phosphates. It states:
"Aesthetic Values shall not be impaired by the
presence of. materials or their effects, including
those of natural origin, which offend the senses
of sight, smell, touch or taste."
Have approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. No narrative statement.
approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. No narrative statement.
Approved antidegradation statement.
No
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District of Columbia
Guam
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
PHOSPHATE CRITERIA - 21
-No specific criteria. The following narrative
statement could be used to limit problems causing
phosphates going into natural waters:
"Materials attributable to sewage, industrial
waste, or other waste which produce taste, odor,
or appreciably change the existing color or
other physical and chemical conditions in the
receiving streams to such degree as to create a
nuisance, or that interfere directly or indirect-
ly with water uses; "
Have an approved antidegradation statement.
-Specific criteria are:
1. Public or Domestic Water Supply
"Total phosphorus in surface waters shall be
less than 0.025 mg/1.
2. None for other use classification.
Narrative statements:
1. "Free from substances and conditions or com-
binations thereof attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes, or other wastes that will
induce undesirable aquatic life."
2. "There shall be no discharge of treated or
untreated sewage, industrial wastes, or other
wastes into waters designated for public or
domestic water supply."
-No specific criteria. The following narrative
statement would provide powers to limit the con-
centrations of problem causing phosphates:
1. "Class SA
Existing natural conditions shall not be
altered."
2. "Class SB
e. Toxic wastes or deleterious substances
alone or in combination with other substances
or wastes in sufficient amounts which
in any way abviously affect the flavor, color;
odor or sanitary conditions of the waters. ..'
Have an approved antidegradation statement.
-No specific criteria. No narrative statement.
Have an approved antidegradation statement.
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U S. Environmental Protection Afencr
Region 5, library (PU2-»
77 West Jackson Boulevard,
Chicago, II 60604-3590
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