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GENERAL PROVISIONS/FREEDOMS
Water Quality Standards
Criteria Summaries
A Compilation of State/Federal Criteria
September 1980
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water Regulations and Standards
Washington, D. C. 20460
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NATIONAL SUMMARY
OF
STATE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
FREEDOMS
SEPTEMBER, 1980
PREPARED FOR
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CRITERIA AND STANDARDS DIVISION
401 M STREET, S. W.
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460
PREPARED BY
NALESNIK ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED
505 ELEVENTH STREET, S. E.
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20003
Contract Number 68-01-6058
Project Number WA-80-A055
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INTRODUCTION
This digest is compiled to provide general information to the public as well as to
Federal, State, and local officials. It contains excerpts from the individual
Federal-State water quality standards establishing pollutant specific criteria for
interstate surface waters. The water quality standards program is implemented by
the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency where responsibility for providing
water quality recommendations, approving State-adopted standards for interstate
waters, evaluating adherence to the standards, and overseeing enforcement of
standards compliance, has been mandated by Congress.
Standards, a nationwide strategy for surface water quality management, contain
three major elements: the use (recreation, drinking water, fish and wildlife
propagation, industrial, or agricultural) to be made of the navigable water; criteria
to protect these uses; and an antidegradation statement to protect existing high
quality waters, from degradation by the addition of pollutants.
Water quality criteria (numerical or narrative specifications) for physical,
chemical, temperature, and biological constituents are stated in the July 1976 U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency publication Quality Criteria for Water (QCW),
available from the Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. The 1976 QCW,
commonly referred to as the "Red Book," is the most current compilation of
scientific information used by the Agency as a basis for assessing water quality.
This publication is subject to periodic updating and revisions in light of new
scientific and technical information.
General provisions in State water quality standards, which are the subject of this
digest, were instituted as the fundamental basis on which water quality manage-
ment in the States was initiated. The provisions, often referred to as "freedoms,"
are general and encompassing statements which provide for the aesthetic beauty of
a waterway. They are not based on scientific rationale. The 1976 Quality Criteria
for Water recommends the following aesthetic qualities criteria:
All waters free from substances attributable to wastewater or other
discharges that:
(1) settle to form objectionable deposits;
(2) float as debris, scum, oil, or other matter to form nuisances;
(3) produce objectionable color, odor, taste, or turbidity;
(4) injure or are toxic or produce adverse physiological responses in
humans, animals, or plants; and
(5) produce undesirable or nuisance aquatic life.
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Since water quality standards experience revisions and upgrading from time to
time, following procedures set forth in the Clean Water Act, individual entries in
this digest may be superseded. As these revisions are accomplished and allowing
for the States to revise their standards accordingly, this digest will be updated and
reissued. Because this publication is not intended for use other than as a general
information resource, to obtain the latest information and for special purposes and
applications, the reader needs to refer to the current approved water quality
standards. These can be obtained from the State water pollution control agencies
or the EPA or Regional Offices.
Individual State-adopted criteria follow:
ii
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REFERENCES
California Water Quality Standards by River Basins, c.a. 1975
For more detailed information on selected basins, sub-basins
and stretches of streams and coastal areas refer to California
State Water Quality Standards.
g
Delaware Water Quality Standards, March 25, 1979
Idaho Water Quality Standards, c.a. September, 1979
Missouri Water Quality Standards, c.a. February, 1978
£
American Samoa Water Quality Standards,
Revised July, 1973
p
Territory of Guam Water Quality Standards, Sept. 1975
G Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Water Quality
Standards, October 21, 1973
Virgin Islands Water Quality Standards, Aug. 1973
ENVIRONMENT REPORTER, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
Washington, D. C. 20037
1 Pages 701:0501-0509, February 16, 1979
2 Pages 706:1004-1008, July 20, 1979
3 Pages 711:0542-0544, August 5, 1977
4 Pages 716:0603, March 26, 1976
5 Pages 726:1005, 1011-1013, March 7, 1980
Basic Water Quality Standards adopted May 22, 1979,
have not yet been submitted to EPA for formal approval.
6 Pages 731:1002-1009, September 8, 1978
7 Pages 746:1008-1014, October 19, 1979
Pages 751:0504-0505, January 25, 1980
9 Pages 765:0512-0515, January 30, 1976
10 Page 761:0503-0504, 1973
111
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11 Page 766:0504-0509, October 5, 1979
12 Pages 771:0502-0504, September 29, 1978
13 Pages 776:0504-0506, April 10, 1979
14 Pages 781:0501-0502, May 18, 1979
15 Pages 786:0501-0502, August 29, 1975
16 Page 791:0583, May 26, 1978
17 Pages 796:0103-0108, February 16, 1979
18 Pages 801:1001-1002, Sept. 29, 1978
1Q
Page 806:1003, March 30, 1979
90
Page 811:1043, 1974
21 Pages 816:0602-0607, 0642-0648, 1974
99
Pages 821:0502-0505, June 30, 1978
OQ
Pages 831:0501-0510, February 21, 1975
94
M Page 836:0502, June 30, 1978
oc
Pages 841:0507-0537, December 7, 1979
9fi
Pages 846:0501-0508, November 17, 1978
97
Pages 851:1001-1023, December 15, 1978
00
Pages 856:1001-1002, July 18, 1978
on
Pages 861:1002-1007, August 11, 1979
Oft
Pages 866:1004-1009, December 28, 1979
31 Pages 871:0501-0506, November 25, 1977
19
Pages 876:1001-1043, May 26, 1978
qo
Pages 881:1001-1007, September 21, 1979
14
M Pages 886:0513-0524, August 29, 1975
JK
Pages 891:1001-1129, November 16, 1979
iv
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36 Pages 901:0501-0505, November 3, 1978
17
Pages 906:0501-0506, October 13, 1978
00
Pages 911:0501-0507, June 22, 1979
QQ
Pages 916:0541-0544, April 14, 1978
40
Pages 921:1001-1003, August 13, 1976
41 Pages 926:0541-0563, January 26, 1979
49
Pages 931:0501-0508, May 26, 1978
AQ
Pages 936:1001-1003, June 27, 1975
44
Pages 941:1001-1005, May 26, 1978
4K
Pages 946:0501-0520, July 14, 1978
46 Pages 951:1002-1003, April 28, 1978
47 Pages 956:1001-1007, January 11, 1980
48 Page 741:1002, November 23, 1979
49
Pages 896:0301-0310, March 31, 1978
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State
Alabama
GENERAL PROVISIONS
FREEDOMS
The following minimum conditions are applicable to all
state waters, at all places and at all times, regardless of
their uses:
1. State waters shall be free from substances attributable
to sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes that will
settle to form bottom deposits which are unsightly, putres-
cent or interfere directly or indirectly with any classified
water use.
2. State waters shall be free from floating debris, oil,
scum and other floating materials attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes or other wastes in amounts sufficient to
be unsightly or interfere directly or indirectly with any
classified water use.
3. State waters shall be free from substances attributable
to sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes in concentra-
tions or combinations which are toxic or harmful to human,
animal or aquatic life to the extent commensurate with the
designated usage of such waters.
Alaska
Residues: Floating Solids, Debris, Sludge, Deposits, Foam,
Scum (not applicable to groundwater supplies). Shall not
alone or in combination with other substances or wastes
make water unfit or unsafe for use; cause a film, sheen, or
discoloration on the surface of the water or adjoining
shoreline; cause leaching of toxic or deleterious sub-
stances; or cause a sludge, solid or emulsion to be depo-
sited beneath or upon the surface of the water, within the
water column, on the bottom, or upon adjoining shorelines.
Arizona'
All surface waters shall be:
Free from substances attributable to domestic or industrial
waste or other controllable sources that will settle to form
sludge or bottom deposits in amounts sufficient to be
unsightly, putrescent or odorous, or in amounts sufficient
to interfere with beneficial uses defined and designated in
R9-21-205.
Free from floating debris, oil, grease, scum, and other
floating materials attributable to domestic or industrial
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Arizona (con't)
waste or other controllable sources in amounts sufficient
to be unsightly or in amounts sufficient to interfere with
beneficial uses defined and designated in R9-21-205.
Free from materials attributable to domestic or industrial
waste or other controllable sources in amounts sufficient
to produce taste or odor in the water or detectable off-
flavor in the flesh of fish, or in amounts sufficient to
change the existing color, turbidity or other conditions in
the receiving stream to such degree as to create a public
nuisance, defined and designated in R9-21-205.
Free from toxic, corrosive, or other deleterious substances
attributable to domestic or industrial waste or other con-
trollable source at levels or combinations sufficient to be
toxic to human, animal, plant or aquatic life defined and
designated in R9-21-205.
Arkansas
Color True color attributable to municipal, industrial,
agricultural or other waste discharges shall not be
increased in any waters to the extent that it will interfer
with present or projected future uses of these waters.
Taste and Odor Taste and odor producing substances
attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural, or other
waste discharges shall be limited in receiving waters to
concentrations that will not interfere with the production
of potable water by reasonable water treatment processes,
or impart unpalatable flavor to food, fish or result in
offensive odors arising from the waters, or otherwise
interfere with the reasonable use of the water.
Solids, Floating Material, and Deposits Receiving waters
shall have no distinctly visible solids, scum, or foam of a
persistent nature, nor shall there by any formation of
slime, bottom deposits or sludge banks, attributable to
municipal, industrial, agricultural, or other waste
discharges.
Oil and Grease - Oil, grease, or petrochemical substances,
attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural or other
waste discharges shall not be present in receiving waters to
the extent that they produce globules or other residue or
any visible color film on the surface, or coat the banks
and/or bottoms of the water course or adversely affect any
of the associated biota.
Toxic Substances Toxic materials attributable to muni-
cipal, industrial, agricultural, or other waste discharges,
shall not be present in receiving waters in such quantities
as to be toxic to human, animal, plant or aquatic life or to
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Arkansas (con't)
California
interfere with the normal propagation of aquatic life. For
any toxicants, concentrations in the receiving waters after
mixing shall not exceed 0.01 of the ninety-six (96) hour -
Median Tolerance Limit (TLm), unless they can be shown to
be nonpersistent and noncumulative, and to exhibit no
synergistic interactions with other waste or stream compo-
nents. In no case shall concentrations exceed 0.05 of the
96-hour TLm.
Color Waters shall be free of coloration that causes
nuisance or adversely affects beneficial uses.
Tastes and Odors Waters shall not contain taste or odor
producing substances in concentrations that impart unde-
sirable tastes or odors to fish flesh or other edible products
of aquatic origin, that cause nuisance, or adversely affect
beneficial uses.
Floating Material Waters shall not contain floating
material, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in
concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect
beneficial uses.
Suspended Material Waters shall not contain suspended
material in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely
affect beneficial uses.
Settleable Material Waters shall not contain substances
in concentrations that result in deposition of materials that
causes nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.
Oil and Grease Waters shall not contain oils, greases,
waxes, or other materials in concentrations that result in a
visible film or coating on the surface of the water or on
objects in the water, that cause nuisance, or that otherwise
adversely affect beneficial uses.
Biostimulatory Substances - Waters shall not contain bio-
stimulatory substances in concentrations that promote
aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause
nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.
Sediment - The suspended sediment load and suspended
sediment discharge rate of surface waters shall not be
altered in such a manner as to cause nuisance or adversely
affect beneficial uses.
Turbidity - Turbidity shall not be increased more than 20
percent above naturally occurring background levels.
Allowable zones of dilution within which higher per-
centages can be tolerated may be defined for specific
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California discharges upon the issuance of discharge permits or
(con't) waiver thereof.
Toxicity - All waters shall be maintained free of toxic
substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that
produce detrimental physiological responses in human,
plant, animal, or aquatic life. Compliance with ths
objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms,
analyses of species diversity, population density, growth
anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration or other
appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board.
The survival of aquatic life in surface waters subjected to
a waste discharge, or other controllable water quality
factors, shall not be less than that for the same water body
in areas unaffected by the waste discharge, or when
necessary for other control water that is consistent with
the requirements for "experimental water" as described in
"Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater", latest edition. As a minimum, compliance
with this objective as stated in the previous sentence shall
be evaluated with a 96-hour bioassay.
In addition, effluent limits based upon acute bioassays of
effluents will be prescribed where appropriate, additional
numerical receiving water objectives for specific toxicants
will be established as sufficient data becomes available,
and source control of toxic substances will be encouraged.
Colorado Substances attributable to human-induced discharges, as
indicated below, not otherwise controlled by permits,
BMP's or plans of operation approved by the Division, shall
not be introduced into the waters of the State:
(a) which can settle to form bottom deposits detrimental
to the beneficial uses. Deposits are stream bottom buildup
of materials which include but are not limited to anaerobic
sludges, mine slurry or tailings, silt, or mud; or
(b) which form floating debris, scum, or other surface
materials sufficient to harm existing beneficial uses; or
(c) which produce color, odor, or other conditions in such a
degree as to create a nuisance or harm existing beneficial
uses or impart any undesirable taste to significant edible
aquatic species or the the water; or
(d) in amounts, concentrations, or combinations which are
harmful to the beneficial uses or toxic to humans, animals,
plants, or aquatic life; or
(e) in amounts, concentrations or combination which
produce a predominance of undesirable aquatic life; or
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Colorado (con't)
(f) in concentrations which cause a film on the surface or
produce a deposit on shorelines.
c
Connecticut
Delaware
B
Except within designated dredged material disposal areas,
water shall be substantially free of pollutants that: (a)
unduly affect the composition of bottom fauna; (b) unduly
affect the physical or chemical nature of the bottom; and
(c) interfere with the propagation and habitats of shellfish,
finfish, and wildlife. Dredged materials dumped at
approved disposal areas shall not pollute the waters of the
State and shall not result in (a) floating residues of any
sort; (b) release of any substance, biological or chemical
constitutents which may result in long-term or permanent
degradation of Water Quality Standards overlying or adja-
cent to the dumping grounds; (c) unintentional dispersal of
sediments outside a mixing zone enclosing the designated
dump points; and (d) biological mobilization and subsequent
transport of toxic substances to food chains.
Sludge deposits - solid refuse - floating solids, oils and
grease - scum - silt or sand deposits - color and turbidity -
taste and odor - allowable temperature: None other than
of natural origin. (AA, A, & SA)
The water shall not contain substances attributable to
municipal, industrial, agricultural or other discharges in
concentrations or amounts sufficient to be harmful or
adverse to water uses to be protected, or to humans, fish,
aquatic life and wildlife;
Water quality shall not disturb ecological food webs nor
exceed standards for reproduction and growth of fish
normally present;
Water shall be free of floating solids, sludge deposits,
debris, oil and scum.
Florida7
All waters of the State shall at all places and at all times
be free from: Domestic, industrial, agricultural, or other
man-induced non-thermal components of discharges which,
alone or in combination with other substances or in combi-
nation with other components of discharges (whether ther-
mal or non-thermal):
(a) Settle to form putrescent deposits or otherwise create
a nuisance; or
(b) Float as debris, scum, oil, or other matter in such
amounts as to form nuisances; or
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Florida (con't)
(c) Produce color, odor, taste, turbidity, or other condi-
tions in such degree as to create a nuisance; or
(d) Are acutely toxic; or
(e) Are present in concentrations which are carcinogenic,
mutagenic, or teratogenic to human beings or to signi-
ficant, locally occurring, wildlife or aquatic species; or
(f) Pose a serious danger to the public health, safety, or
welfare.
Q
Georgia
The following criteria are deemed to be necessary and
applicable to all waters of the state:
(a) All waters shall be free from materials associated with
municipal or domestic sewage, industrial waste or any
waste which will settle to form sludge deposits that
become putrescent, unsightly or otherwise objectionable.
(b) All waters shall be free from oil, scum and floating
debris associated with municipal or domestic sewage,
industrial waste or other discharges in amounts sufficient
to be unsightly or to interfere with legitimate water uses.
(c) All waters shall be free from material related to
municipal, industrial or other discharges which produce
turbidity, color, odor, or other objectionable conditions
which interfere with legitimate water uses.
(d) All waters shall be free from toxic, corrosive, acidic
and caustic substances discharged from municipalities,
industries or other sources in amounts, concentrations or
combinations which are harmful to human, animals or
aquatic life.
9
Hawaii
All waters shall be free of substances attributable to
domestic, industrial, or other controllable sources of
pollutants, and subject to verification by monitoring as
may be prescribed by the Director of Health, as follows:
A. Materials that will settle to form objectionable sludge
or bottom deposits.
B. Floating debris, oil, grease, scum, or other floating
materials.
C. Substances in amounts sufficient to produce taste or
odor in the water or detectable off flavor in the flesh of
fish, or in amounts sufficient to produce objectionable
color, turbidity, other conditions in the receiving waters.
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Hawaii (con't)
D. High temperature: biocides, pathogenic organisms,
toxic, radioactive, corrosive, or other deleterious sub-
stances at levels or in combinations sufficient to be toxic
or harmful to human, animal, plant, or aquatic life, or in
amounts sufficient to interfere with any beneficial use of
the water.
As a minimum, evaluation by use of a 96-hour bioassay as
described in the most recent edition of Standard Methods
for the Examiniation of Water and Wastewater shall be
conducted, Survival of test organisms shall not be less that
than in controls which utilize appropriate experimental
water.
Substances and conditions or combinations thereof in con-
centrations which produce undesirable aquatic life.
All waters shall also be free from soil particles resulting
from erosion on land involved in earthwork, such as the
construction of public works; highways; subdivisions;
recreational, commercial, or industrial developments; or
the cultivation and management of agricultural lands. This
standard shall be deemed met if it can be shown that the
land on which the erosion occurred or is occurring is being
managed in accordance with soil conservation practices
acceptable to the Director, and that a comprehensive
conservation program is being actively pursued, or that the
discharge has received the best degree of treatment or
control practicable under existing technology. The deter-
mination of compliance with the standard shall be made to
the Director, consistent with the Hawaii Administrative
Procedure Act and the Rules of Practice and Procedure of
the Department of Health.
Idaho
10
General Water Quality Standards - The following general
water quality standards will apply to waters of the State,
both surface and underground, in addition to the water
quality standards set forth for specifically classified
waters. Manual Sections 1-2200.04 - 1.2200.06 will, how-
ever, apply only to surface waters. As a result of man-
caused point or nonpoint source discharge, water of the
State must not contain:
Hazardous Materials - Hazardous materials (see Manual
Section 1-2203.17) in concentrations found to be of public
health significance or to adversely affect designated or
protected beneficial uses.
Deleterious Materials - Deleterious materials (see Manual
Section 1-2003.06) in concentrations that impair designated
or protected beneficial uses without being hazardous.
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Idaho (con't)
Radioactive Materials - Radioactive materials or radio-
activity which:
(a) Exceed one-third (1/3) of the values listed in
Appendix A, Table II, Column 2, "Rules Governing
Radiation Control," Title 1, Chapter 9, Rules and
Regulations of the Department of Health and
Welfare.
(b) Exceed the concentrations specified in Manual
Section 1-8012.01, "Rules Governing Public Drinking
Water Systems," Title 1, Chapter 8, Rules and Regu-
lations of the Department of Health and Welfare.
(c) Exceed concentrations required to meet the
"Radiation Protection Guides" for maximum exposure
of critical human organs recommended by the former
Federal Radiation Council in the case of foodstuffs
harvested from these waters for human consumption.
Floating, Suspended or Submerged Matter - Floating, sus-
pended, or submerged matter of any kind in concentrations
causing nuisance or objectionable conditions or that may
adversely affect designated or protected beneficial uses.
Excess Nutrients - Excess nutrients that can cause visible
slime growths or other nuisance aquatic growths impairing
designated or protected beneficial uses.
Oxygen-Demanding Materials - Oxygen-demanding
materials in concentrations that would result in an
anaerobic water condition
Illinois
11
Freedom from unnatural sludge or bottom deposits, float-
ing debris, visible oil, odor unnatural plant or algal growth,
unnatural color or turbidity, or matter in concentrations or
combinations toxic or harmful to human, animal, plant or
aquatic life of other than natural origin.
Indiana
12
All waters at all times and at all places, including the
mixing zone, shall meet the minimum conditions of being
free from substances, materials, floating debris, oil or
scum attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural, and
other land use practices or other discharges:
1. That will settle to form putrescent or otherwise
objectionable deposits,
2. That are in amounts sufficient to be nsightly or
deleterious,
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Indiana (con1)
3. That produce color, odor or other conditions in such
degree as to create a nuisance.
4. Which are in amounts sufficient to injure, be toxic to or
produce adverse physiological responses in humans, ani-
mals, aquatic life or plants. As a guideline, toxic sub-
stances should be limited to the 96-hour median lethal
concentration (LC50) for biota significant to the indigenous
aquatic community. This subsection shall not apply to the
chemical control of aquatic plants or animals when that
control is subject to approval by the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources as provided by the Fish and Wildlife Act
(1C 1971, 14-2-1),
5. Which are in concentrations or combinations that will
cause or contribute to the growth of aquatic plants or
algae in such a degree as to create a nuisance, be unsightly
or deleterious or be harmful to human, animal, plant, or
aquatic life or otherwise impair the designated uses.
Iowa
13
The following apply to all surface waters at all places at
all times:
(a) Waters shall be free from substances attributable to
point souce wastewater discharges that will settle to form
sludge deposits.
(b) Waters shall be free from floating debris, oil, grease,
scum and other floating materials attributable to waste-
water discharges or agricultural practices.
(c) Waters shall be free from materials attributable to
wastewater discharges or agricultural practices producing
objectional color, odor or other aesthetically objectionable
conditions.
(d) Waters shall be free from substances attributable to
wastewater discharges or agricultural practices in concen-
trations or combinations which are toxic or harmful to
human, animal, or plant life.
(e) Waters shall be free from substances, attributable to
wastewater discharges or agricultural practices, in quanti-
ties which would produce undesirable or nuisance aquatic
life.
Kansas
14
All waters shall be essentially free of visible oil and
grease. Dissolved or emulsified grease concentrations shall
be kept below levels which will interfere with use as
designated in these standards.
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Kansas (con't)
There shall be no man-made deposits of solids in waters of
the state, either organic or inorganic, which will be detri-
mental to the designated use. All waters shall be free of
floating debris, scum, and other floating materials attri-
butable to municipal, industrial, or other waste disposal
practices in amounts sufficient to be unsightly or detri-
mental to the designated use.
Taste and odor producing substances from man-made
sources shall be limited to concentrations in the receiving
water that will not interfere with the production of potable
water by reasonable water treatment processes, or impart
unpalatable flavor to fish, or result in noticeable offensive
odors in the vicinity of the water, or otherwise interfere
with the designated use of the water.
Man-made sources of color producing substances shall be
limited to concentrations which will not be detrimental to
the designated use of the receiving water.
Toxic substance or toxic synergistic effects of substances
from man-made sources shall be limited to concentrations
in the receiving water that will not be harmful to animal,
plant, or aquatic life, or otherwise interfere with the
designated use of the water.
Pollutional substances contributed by man-made sources
shall be controlled so that all waters are free from public
health hazards or nuisance conditions at all time.
Kentucky
15
All waters of the Commonwealth shall be:
1. Substantially free from substances attributable to
municipal, industrial or other discharges or agricultural
practices that will settle to form putrescent sludge
deposits;
2. Free from floating debris, oil, scum and other floating
materials attributable to municipal, industrial or other
discharges or agricultural practices in amounts sufficient
to be unsightly or deleterious;
3. Free from materials attributable to municipal, indus-
trial or other discharges or agricultural practices producing
color, odor or other conditions in such degree as to create
a nuisance; and
4. Free from substances attributable to municipal, indus-
trial or other discharges or agricultural practices in concen
trations or combinations which are toxic or harmful to
human, animal, plant or aquatic life.
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Kentucky (con't)
5. In the standards established by subsections (1) to (4),
every person as defined in KRS Chapter 224 shall remove
from their discharges those substances described in sub-
sections (1) through (4) to the lowest practicable level
attainable under current technology.
Louisiana
16
All waters shall be free from such concentrations of
substances attributable to waste water or other discharges
sufficient to:
1. settle to form objectionable deposits;
2. float as debris, scum, oil, or other matter to form
nuisances;
3. result in objectionable color, odor, taste, or turbidity;
4. injure or are toxic or produce adverse physiological
response in humans, animals, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or
plants; and
5. produce undesirable or nuisance aquatic life.
17
Maine
These waters shall be free from sludge deposits, solid
refuse and floating solids such as oils, grease or scum.
There shall be no disposal of any matter or substance in
these waters which would impart color, turbidity, taste or
odor other than that which naturally occurs in said waters,
nor shall such matter or substance alter the temperature or
hydrogen-ion concentration of these waters or contain
chemical constituents which would be harmful or offensive
to humans or which would be harmful to animal or aquatic
life. (See Title 38, Chapter 3, Maine Water Quality
Standards - October, 1977 for stream use specifics)
Maryland
18
The water of the State shall at all times be free from:
1. Substances attributable to sewage, industrial waste,
or other waste that will settle to form sludge
deposits that are unsightly, putrescent or odorous to
such degree as to create a nuisance, or that interfere
directly or indirectly with water uses;
2. Floating debris, oil, grease, scum, and other floating
materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or
other waste in amounts sufficient to be unsightly to
such a degree as to create a nuisance, or that
interfere directly or indirectly with water uses;
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Maryland (con't)
Materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or
other waste which produce taste, odor, or change the
existing color or other physical and chemical condi-
tions in the receiving waters to such a degree as to
create a nuisance, or that interfere directly or
indirectly with water uses; and
High-temperature, toxic, corrosive or other dele-
terious substances attributable to sewage, industrial
waste, or other waste in concentrations or combi-
nations which interfere directly or indirectly with
water uses, or which are harmful to human, animal,
plant or aquatic life.
Massachusetts
19
Michigan
20
All waters shall be free from pollutants in concentrations
or combinations that:
(a) settle to form objectionable deposits;
(b) float as debris, scum, or other matter to form
nuisances;
(c) produce objectionable odor, color, taste or turbidity; or
(d) result in the dominance of nuisance species.
The waters of the state shall not contain unnatural turbi-
dity, total suspended solids, color, oil films, floating solids,
foams, settleable solids, or deposits in quantities which
are, or may become injurious to any designated use.
Suspended solids - All waters of the State shall contain no
unnatural turbidity, color, oil films, floating solids, foams,
settleable solids or deposits in quantities which are or may
become injurious to any designated use.
Taste and odor producing substances - The waters of the
State shall contain no unnatural substances in concen-
trations which are or may become injurious to their use for
public, industrial or agricultural water supply, or in
concentrations which lower the palatability of fish as
measured by test procedures acceptable to the commission.
Plant nutrients - Nutrients originating from domestic,
industrial, municipal or domestic animal sources shall be
limited to the extent necessary to prevent stimulation of
growths of aquatic rooted, attached and floating plants,
fungi or bacteria which are or may become injurious to the
designated uses of the waters of the State. Phosphorus
which is or may readily become available as a plant
nutrient shall be controlled from point source discharges by
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Michigan (con't)
the application of methods utilizing best practicable waste
treatment technology for control of total phosphorous,
with the goal of achieving a monthly average effluent
concentration of one milligram per liter as P.
Minnesota
21
No sewage, industrial waste or other wastes shall be
discharged into any waters of the state so as to cause any
nuisance conditions, such as the presence of significant
amounts of floating solids, scum, oil slicks, excessive
suspended solids, material discoloration, obnoxious odors,
gas ebullition, deleterious sludge deposits, undesirable
slimes or fungus growths, or other offensive or harmful
effects.
22
Mississippi
1. Free from substances attributable to municipal, indus-
trial, agricultural or other discharges that will settle to
form putrescent or otherwise objectionable sludge deposits.
2. Free from floating debris, oil, scum, and other floating
materials attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural
or other discharges in amounts sufficient to be unsightly or
deleterious.
3. Free from materials attributable to municipal, indus-
trial, agricultural or other discharges producing color,
odor, or other conditions in such degree as to create a
nuisance.
4. Free from substances attributable to municipal, indus-
trial, agricultural or other discharges in concentrations or
combinations which are toxic or harmful to humans, animal
or other aquatic life.
Missouri
.D
Montana
23
At all times, from all waters, the following shall apply:
A. Free from substances that will cause the formation of
putrescent or otherwise objectionable bottom deposits.
B. Free from oil, scum and floating debris in sufficient
amounts to be unsightly or deleterious.
C. Free from materials that cause color, odor, or other
conditions in such degree as to create a nuisance.
D. Free from substances or conditions that have a harmful
effect on human, animal, or aquatic life.
State surface waters are to be free from substances
attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural practices
or other discharges that will:
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Montana (con't)
Nebraska
24
(i) Settle to form objectionable sludge deposits or emul-
sions beneath the surface of the water or upon adjoining
shorelines.
(ii) Create floating debris, scum, a visible oil film (or be
present in concentrations at or in excess of 10 milligrams
per liter) or globules of grease or other floating materials.
(iii) Produce odors, colors, or other conditions as to
create a nuisance or render undesirable tastes to fish flesh
or make fish inedible.
(iv) Create concentrations or combinations of materials
which are toxic or harmful to human, animal, plant or
aquatic life.
(v) Create conditions which produce undesirable aquatic
life.
All surface waters shall meet general standards and shall
be capable of supporting the assigned beneficial use. These
waters shall be free of substances attributed to wastewater
discharges or the activities or man that will form
objectionable deposits, floating debris, oil scum and other
matter producing objectionable color, odor, taste or turbi-
dity. Also, all materials shall be free of radionuclides in
concentration or combinations which are toxic or which
produce undesirable, physiological responses in human, fish
and all other animal or plant life associated with these
waters.
Aesthetic Conditions: Substances shall not be in such an
amount which would degrade the water quality, create a
nuisance condition, or be offensive to the senses of sight
(including color), touch, smell, or taste.
Suspended, Colloidal, or Settleable Solids: None from
wastewater sources which will permit objectionable deposi-
tion or be deleterious for the assigned beneficial uses.
Toxic and Deleterious Substances: None alone or in
combination with other substances or wastes in concen-
trations rendering the receiving water unsafe or unsuitable
for the assigned beneficial uses.
Residue, Oil and Floating Substances: No residue attri-
butable to wastewater or visible film of oil or globules of
grease shall be present.
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Nevada
25
(a) Free from substances attributable to domestic or
industrial waste or other controllable sources that will
settle to form sludge or bottom deposits in amounts
sufficient to be unsighly, putrescent or odorous, or in
amounts sufficient to interfere with any beneficial use of
the water.
(b) Free from floating debris, oil, grease, scum, and other
floating materials attributable to domestic or industrial
waste or other controllable sources in amounts sufficient
to be unsightly or in amounts sufficient to interfere with
any beneficial use of the water.
(c) Free from materials attributable to domestic or
industrial waste or other controllable sources in amounts
sufficient to produce taste or odor in the water or detect-
able off-flavor in the flesh of fish, or in amounts sufficient
to change the existing color, turbidity or other conditions
in the receiving stream to such degree as to create a public
nuisance, or in amounts sufficient to interfere with any
beneficial use of the water.
New Hampshire
26
(d) Free from high temperature, biocides, organisms
pathogenic to human beings, toxic, corrosive, or other
deleterious substances attributable to domestic or indus-
trial waste or other controllable sources at levels or
combinations sufficient to be toxic to human, animal, plant
or aquatic life or in amounts sufficient to interfere with
any beneficial use of the water.
Class A waters shall be of the highest quality and shall
contain not more than fifty coliform bacteria per one
hundred milliliters. There shall be no discharge of any
sewage or wastes into waters of this classification. The
waters of this classification shall be considered as being
potentially acceptable for water supply uses after dis-
infection.
Class B waters shall of the second highest quality and shall
have no objectionable physical characteristics. There shall
be no disposal of sewage or waste into said waters except
those which have received adequate treatment to prevent
the lowering of the physical, chemical or bacteriological
characteristics below those given above, nor shall such
disposal of sewage or waste be inimical to fish life or to
the maintenance of fish life in said receiving waters. The
waters of this classification shall be considered as being
acceptable for bathing and other recreational purposes and,
after adequate treatment, for use as water supplies.
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New Hampshire (con't)
Class C waters shall be of the third highest quality and
shall be free from slick, odors, turbidity, and surface-
floating solids of unreasonable kind or quantity, and shall
be free from chemicals and other materials and conditions
inimical to fish life or the maintenance of fish life. The
waters of this classification shall be considered as being
acceptable for recreational boating, fishing, or for indus-
trial water supply uses either with or without treatment
depending upon individual requirements.
Class D waters shall be the lowest classification and shall
be free from slick, sludge deposits, odors, and surface-
floating materials of unreasonable kind, quantity or dura-
tion, taking into consideration the necessities of the indus-
tries involved. The waters of this classification shall be
aesthetically acceptable. Such water shall also be suitable
for certain industrial purposes, power and navigation.
All surface waters of the State classified A, B, or C "shall
be free from chemicals and other materials and conditions
inimical to fish life or the maintenance of fish life."
New Jersey
27
Floating, Suspended, Colloidial and Settleable Solids;
Color; Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Other Oils and
Greases: None noticeable in the water or deposited along
the shore or on the aquatic substrata in quantities detri-
mental to the natural biota. None which would render the
waters unsuitable for the designated uses.
Toxic or Deleterious Substances, Including But No Limited
to Mineral Acids, Caustic Alkali, Cyanides, Heavy Metals,
Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia or Ammonium Compounds,
Chlorine, Phenols, Pesticides, Etc.: None, either alone or
in combination with other substances, in such concen-
trations as to affect humans or be detrimental to the
natural aquatic biota, produce undesirable aquatic life, or
which would render the waters unsuitable for the desig-
nated uses. None which would cause standards for drinking
water to be exceeded after appropriate treatment.
Taste and Odor Producing Substances: None offensive to
humans or which would produce offensive tastes and/or
odors in water supplies and biota used for human consump-
tion. None which would render the waters unsuitable for
the designated uses.
New Mexico
28
Stream Bottom Deposits The stream shall be free of
water contaminants from other than natural causes that
will settle and adversely inhibit the growth of normal flora
and fauna or significantly alter the physical or chemical
properties of the bottom.
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New Mexico (con't)
New York
29
Siltation resulting from the reasonable operation of irriga-
tion and flood control facilities is not subject to these
standards.
Floating Solids, Oil and Grease Receiving water shall be
free of objectionable oils, scum, grease and other floating
materials resulting from other than natural causes.
Color Color-producing materials resulting from other
than natural causes shall not create an esthetically
undesirable condition nor should color impair the use of the
water by desirable aquatic life presently common in New
Mexico waters.
Odor and Taste of Fish Water contaminants from other
than natural causes shall be limited to concentrations that
will not impart unpalatable flavor to fish, or result in
offensive odor arising from the stream or otherwise inter-
fere with the reasonable use of the water.
Plant Nutrients Plant nutrients from other than natural
causes shall not be present in concentrations which produce
undesirable productivity in receiving waters, or result in a
dominance of nuisance species in receiving waters.
Hazardous Substances Toxic substances such as, but not
limited to, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and
organics shall not be present in receiving waters in concen-
trations which will change the ecology of receiving waters
to an extent detrimental to man or other organisms of
direct or indirect commercial, recreational, or esthetic
value. Toxicities of substances in receiving waters will be
determined by appropriate bioassy techiques, or other
acceptable means, for the particular form of aquatic life
which is to be preserved with the concentrations of toxic
materials not to exceed 5 percent of the 96-hour LCC
provided that:
'50'
Toxic substances which, through uptake in the aquatic food
chain and/or storage in plant and animal tissues, can be
magnified to levels which are toxic to man or other
organisms, shall not be present in concentrations which
result in this biological magnification.
Waters used for domestic water supplies shall be protected
from hazardous substances in concentrations that exceed
drinking water standards established by the New Mexico
Regulations covering Water Supply.
Turbidity no increase except from natural sources that
will cause a substantial visible contrast to natural condi-
tions. In cases of naturally turbid waters, the contrast will
be due to increased turbidity.
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New York (con't)
Color none from man-made sources that will be detri-
mental to anticipated best usage of waters.
Suspended, colloidal or setteable solids - none from
sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes which will cause
deposition or be deleterious for any best usage determined
for the specific waters which are assigned to each class.
Oil and floating substances no residue attributable to
sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes nor visible oil
film nor globules of grease.
Taste and odor-producing substances, toxic wastes and
deleterious substances none in amounts that will be
injurious to fishlife or which in any manner shall adversely
affect the flavor, color or odor thereof, or impair the
waters for any best usage as determined for the specific
waters which are assigned to each class.
North Carolina
30
Drinking water supply (disinfection only):
A. Floating solids, settleable solids, sludge deposits, taste
or odor-producing substances: None attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes or other wastes.
B. Sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes: None
C. Toxic wastes: oils, deleterious substances, colored or
other wastes: None
Drinking water supply (treatment plus disinfection):
A. Floating solids, setteable solids, sludge deposits: Only
such amounts attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or
other wastes as will not after reasonable opportunity for
dilution and mixture of same with the receiving waters,
make the waters unsafe or unsuitable as a source of water
supply for drinking, culinary, or food-process ing purposes,
injurious to fish and wildlife, or impair the waters for any
other best usage established for this class.
B. Sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes: None which
are not effectively treated to the satisfaction of the
commission and in accordance with the requirements of the
Division of Health Service.
C. Odor-producing substances contained in sewage, indus-
trial wastes, or other wastes: Only such amounts, whether
alone or in combination with other substances or wastes, as
will not, after reasonable opportunity for dilution and
mixture of same with receiving waters, cause taste and
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North Carolina
(con't)
odor difficulties in water supplies which cannot be
corrected by treatment as specified under "Conditions
Related to Best Usage," impair the palatability of fish, or
have a deleterious effect upon any best usage established
for waters of this class.
Recreation:
A. Floating solids, settleable solids, sludge deposits: Only
such amounts attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or
other wastes as will not, after reasonable opportunity for
dilution and mixture of same with the receiving waters,
make the waters unsafe or unsuitable for bathing, injurious
to fish and wildlife, or impair the waters for any other best
usage established for this class.
B. Sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes: None which
are not effectively treated to the satisfaction of the
commission. In determining the degree of treatment
required for such waste when discharged into waters to be
used for bathing, the commission will take into conside-
ration the quantity and quality of the sewage and wastes
involved and the proximity of such discharges to waters in
this class.
Fishing, agriculture, fish and wildlife:
Floating solids, settleable solids, sludge deposits: Only
such amounts attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or
other wastes as will not after reasonable opportunity for
dilution and mixture of same with the receiving waters,
make the waters unsafe or unsuitable for fish and wildlife,
or impair the waters for any other best usage established
for this class.
North Dakota
31
All waters of the State shall be:
02.501 Free from substances attributable to municipal,
industrial, or other discharge or agricultural practices that
will cause the formation of putrescent or otherwise
objectionable sludge deposits.
02.502 Free from floating debris, oil, scum, and other
floating materials attributable to municipal, industrial, or
other discharges or agricultural practices in sufficient
amount to be unsightly or deleterious.
0.503 Free from materials attributable to municipal, indus-
trial, or other discharges or agricultural practices pro-
ducing color, odor, or other conditions in such a degree as
to create a nuisance or render any undesirable taste to fish
flesh, or in any way, make food fish inedible.
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North Dakota
(con't)
02.504 Free from substances attributable to municipal,
industrial, or other discharges or agricultural practices in
concentrations or combinaions which are toxic or harmful
to human, animal, plant or resident aquatic life.
02.505 Free from oil or grease residue attributable to
wastewater, which causes a visible film or sheen upon the
waters or any discoloration of the surface of adjoining
shoreline or causes a sludge or emulsion to be deposited
beneath the surface of the water or upon the adjoining
shorelines or prevents classified uses of such waters.
02.506 There shall be no materials such as garbage,
rubbish, trash, cans, bottles, or any unwanted or discarded
material disposed of into the waters of the State.
Ohio32
A. Free from suspended solids or other substaces that enter
the waters as a reult of human activity and that will settle
to form putrescent or otherwise obejctionable sludge
deposits, or that will adversely affect aquatic life.
B. Free from floating debris, oil, scum and other floating
materials entering the waters as a result of human activity
in amounts sufficient to be unsightly or cause degradation.
C. Free from materials entering the waters as a result of
human activity producing color, odor or other conditions in
such a degree as to create a nuisance.
D. Free from substances entering the waters as a result of
human activity in concentrations that are toxic or harmful
to human, animal or aquatic life and/or are rapidly lethal
in the mixing zone.
E. Free from nutrients entering the waters as a result of
human activity in concentrations that create nuisance
growths of aquatic weeds and algae.
Oklahoma
33
To be aesthetically enjoyable, the waters of the State must
be free from floating materials and suspended substances
produce objectional color and turbidity. The waters must
also be free from obnoxious odors and tastes, and from
materials that settle to form objectionable deposits, and
discharges that produce undesirable or nuisance aquatic
life.
Oregon
34
No wastes shall be discharged and no activities shall be
conducted which either alone or in combination with other
wastes or activities will cause any waters of the state:
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Oregon (con't)
The development of fungi or other growths having a
deleterious effect on stream bottoms, fish or other aquatic
life, or which are injurious to health, recreation or
industry.
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 palatability of fish
or shellfish.
The formation of appreciable bottom or sludge deposits or
the formation of any organic or inorganic deposits dele-
terious to fish or other aquatic life of injurious to public
health, recreation or industry.
Objectionable discoloration, turbidity, scum, oily sleek or
floating solids, or coat the aquatic life with oil films.
Aesthetic conditions offensive to the human senses of
sight, taste, smell or touch.
35
Pennsylvania
Water shall not contain substances attributable to point or
nonpoint source waste discharges in concentration or
amounts sufficient to be inimical or harmful to the water
uses to be protected or to human, animal, plant or aquatic
life.
Specific substances to be controlled shall include, but shall
not be limited to, floating debris, oil, grease, scum and
other floating materials, toxic substances, pesticides, chlo-
rinated hydrocarbons, carcinogenic, mutagenic and terato-
genic materials, and substances which produce color,
tastes, odors, turbidity, or settle to form deposits.
Rhode Island
36
General Criteria - The following minimum criteria are
applicable to all waters of the State, unless criteria
specified for individual classes are more stringent.
1. At a minimum, all waters shall be free of pollutants in
concentrations or combinations that will:
(a) Adversely affect the composition of bottom aquatic
life;
(b) Adversely affect the physical or chemical nature of
the bottom;
(c) Interfere with the propagation of fish and shellfish;
or
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Rhode Island
(con't)
(d) Undesirably alter the qualitative and quantitative
character of the biota.
2. Aesthetics - All waters shall be free from pollutants in
concentrations or combinations that:
(a) Settle to form objectionable deposits;
(b) Float as debris, scum or other matter to form
nuisances;
(c) Produce objectionable odor, color, taste or turbidity;
or,
(d) Result in the dominance of nuisance species.
Sludge deposits, floating solids, oils, grease and scum shall
not be allowed except for such small amounts that may
result from the discharge of appropriately treated sewage
or industrial waste effluents.
Class B and C waters shall be substantially free of
pollutants that:
a. Undesirably affect the composition of bottom aquatic
life.
b. Undesirably affect the physical or chemical nature of
the bottom
c. Interfere with the propagation of desirable aquatic
life.
South Carolina
37
The waters of the State shall at all times be free from:
1. substances attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or
other waste that will settle to form sludge deposits that
are unsightly, putrescent or odorous to such a degree as to
create a nuisance, or that interfere directly or indirectly
with water uses:
2. floating debris, oil, grease, scum and other floating
materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other
waste in amounts sufficient to be unsightly to such a
degree as to create a nuisance or that interfere directly or
indirectly with water uses.
3. materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or
other waste which produce taste, odor, or change the
existing color or other physical or chemical conditions in
the receiving stream to such a degree as to create a
-22-
-------
South Carolina
(con't)
nuisance, or that interfere directly or indirectly with water
uses: and
4. high temperature, toxic, corrosive or other deleterious
substances attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or
other waste in concentrations or combinations which inter-
fere directly or indirectly with water uses, or which are
harmful to human, animal, plant or aquatic life.
South Dakota
38
Visible pollutants prohibited. There shall not be discharged
or caused to be discharged into any lake or stream any raw
or treated sewage, garbage, municipal wastes, industrial
wastes, or agricultural wastes which produce floating
solids, scum, oil slicks, material discoloration, visible
gassing, sludge deposits, slimes, fungus growths, or other
offensive effects.
Toxic Materials prohibited. No materials shall be dis-
charged or caused to be discharged to any lake or stream,
which produce concentrations of chemicals toxic to
humans, animals, plants, or the most sensitive stage or
form of aquatic life, greater than 0.1 times the median
tolerance limit for short residual compounds or 0.01 times
the median tolerance limit for an accumulative substance
or substances exhibiting a residual life exceeding thirty
days in the receiving waters.
Taste and odor producing chemicals. No materials shall be
discharged or caused to be discharged into any lake or
stream which will impart undesirable tastes or undesirable
odors to the receiving water in concentrations such that a
beneficial use is impaired.
Nuisance aquatic life. No materials shall be discharged or
caused to be discharged into any lake or stream in concen-
trations which produce aquatic life which impair a bene-
ficial use or create a health problem.
Petroleum products. No nonsoluble materials of petroleum
derivation shall be discharged or caused to be discharged
into any lake or stream which results in concentrations in
excess of 10 mg/1 or imparts a visible film or sheen to the
surface of the water or the adjoining shorelines.
Tennessee
39
There shall be no distinctly visible solids, scum, foam, oily
sleek, or the formation of slimes, bottom deposits or sludge
banks of such size or character as may impair the useful-
ness of the water.
There shall be no turbidity or color added in such amounts
or of such character that will materially effect water use.
-23-
-------
Tennessee There shall be no toxic substances added to the waters that
(con't) will produce toxic conditions that materially affect man or
animals or impair the safety of a conventionally treated
water supply.
There shall be no substances added that will result in
objectionable taste or odor.
40
Texas Taste and odor producing substances shall be limited to
concentrations in the waters of the State that will not
interfere with the production of potable water by reason-
able treatment methods, or impart unpalatable flavor to
food fish, including shellfish, or result in offensive odors
arising from the waters, or otherwise interfere with the
reasonable use of the waters.
The surface waters of the State shall be maintained so as
to be essentially free of floating debris and settleable
suspended solids conducive to the production of putrescible
sludge deposits or sediment layers which would adversely
affect benthic biota or other lawful uses.
The surface waters of the State shall be maintained so as
to be essentially free of settleable suspended solids condu-
cive to changes in the flow characteristics of stream
channels, to the untimely filling of reservoirs and lakes,
and which might result in unnecessary dredging costs.
The surface waters in the State shall be maintained in an
aesthetically attractive condition.
There shall be no substantial change in turbidity from
ambient conditions due to waste discharges.
There shall be no foaming or frothing of a persistent
nature.
The surface waters of the State shall be maintained so that
no oil, grease or related residue will produce a visible film
of oil or globules of grease on the surface, or coat the
banks and bottoms of the watercourse.
41
Utah It shall be unlawful, and a violation of these regulations,
for any person to discharge or place any waste or other
substance in such a way as will be or may become offensive
such as unnatural deposits, floating debris, oil, scum or
other nuisances such as color, odor or taste; or conditions
which produce undesirable aquatic life or which produce
objectionable tastes in edible aquatic organisms; or
concentrations or combinations of substances which
-24-
-------
Utah (con't)
produce undesirable physiological responses in desirable
resident fish, or other desirable aquatic life, as determined
by bio-assay or other tests performed in accordance with
standard procedures determined by the Committee.
Vermont
42
Free of pollutants that:
1. affect the composition of bottom fauna; or
2. affect the physical or chemical nature of the bottom;
or
3. interfere with the species composition or propagation
of fishes.
Sludge, deposits, setteable solids, solid refuse, floating
solids, oil, grease and scum:
None other than of natural origin
Drinking water supply
All other uses - None in such concentrations or combi-
nations which may reasonably be expected to impair any
usage applicable to the assigned water class or which may
reasonably be expected to result in the development of
sludge deposits or which will hinder the objective of
improving water quality. No waste containing such sub-
stances or materials shall be discharged until and unless
they have received adequate and appropriate treatment.
43
Virginia
All State waters shall be free from substances attributable
to sewage, industrial waste, or other waste in concen-
trations, amounts, or combinations which contravene
established standards or interfere directly or indirectly
with reasonable, beneficial uses of such water or which are
inimical or harmful to human, animal, plant, or aquatic
life. Specific substances to be controlled include, but are
not limited to: floating debris, oil, scum, and other
floating materials; toxic substances, substances that
produce color, tastes, odors, or settle to form sludge
deposits and heated substances.
Washington
44
Aesthetic values shall not be impaired by the presence of
materials or their effects, excluding those of natural
origin, which offend the senses of sight, smell, touch, or
taste.
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West Virginia
45
No sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes present in any
of the waters of the State shall cause therein or materially
contribute to any of the following conditions thereof:
(a) Distinctly visible floating or settleable solids,
suspended solids, scum, foam or oily sleeks of
unreasonable kind or quality;
(b) Objectionable deposits or sludge banks on the bottom;
(c) Objectionable odors in the vicinity of the waters;
(d) Objectionable taste and/or odor in municipal water
supplies;
(e) Concentrations of materials poisonous to man, animal
or aquatic life;
(f) Objectionable color
(g) Objectionable bacterial concentrations;
(h) Requiring an unreasonable degree of treatment for
the production of potable water by modern water
treatment processes as commonly employed.
Wisconsin
46
(a) Substances that will cause objectionable deposits on
the shore or in the bed or a body of water, shall not be
present in such amounts as to interfere with public rights
in waters of the state.
(b) Floating or submerged debris, oil, scum or other
material shall not be present in such amounts as to
interfere with public rights in waters of the state.
(c) Materials producing color, odor, taste or unsightliness
shall not be present in such amounts as to interfere with
public rights in waters of the state.
(d) Substances in concentrations or combinations which are
toxic or hamrful to humans shall not be present in amounts
found to be of public health significance, nor shall sub-
stances be present in amounts which are acutely harmful to
animal, plant or aquatic life.
Wyoming
47
In all Wyoming surface waters substances attributable to or
influenced by the activities of man that will settle to form
sludge, bank or bottom deposits shall not be present in
quantities which could result in significant aesthetic degra-
dation, significant degradation of habitat for aquatic life
-26-
-------
Wyoming (con't)
or adversely affect public water supplies, agricultural or
industrial water use, plant life or wildlife, etc.
In all Wyoming surface waters floating debris, scum and
other floating materials attributable to or influenced by
the activities of man shall not be present in quantities
which could result in significant aesthetic degradation,
significant degradation of habitat for aquatic life, or
adversely affect public water supplies, agricultural or indus
trial water use, plant life or wildlife, etc.
All Class I, II and III waters shall not contain substances
attributable to or influenced by the activities of man which
produce taste, odor and color and that would:
a. Of themselves or in combination, impart an unpalatable
or off-flavor in fish flesh;
b. Visibly alter the natural color of the water or impart
color to skin, clothing, vessels or structures;
c. Produce detectable odor; or
d. Directly or through interaction among themselves, or
with chemicals used in existing water treatment processes,
result in concentrations that will impart undesirable taste
or odor to public water suppies.
American Samoa
E
Free from visible floating materials, grease, scum, foam,
and other floating matter attributable to sewage, industrial
wastes, or other wastes.
Free from materials attributable to sewage, industrial
wastes, or other wastes that will produce visible turbidity
or settle to form deposits.
Free from materials atributable to sewage, industrial
wastes or other wastes that will produce color, odor, or
taste, either of itself or in combination, or in the biota.
Free from substances and conditions or combinations
thereof attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or wastes
that will induce objectionable aquatic growths or degrade
indigenous biota.
Free from substances and conditions or combinations
thereof attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other
wastes which may be toxic or cause irritation to humans,
other animals, plants, and aquatic life.
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District of Columbia
48
The waters shall at all times be free from substances
attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other waste
that will settle to form sludge deposits that are unsightly,
putrescent or odorous to such degree as to create a
nuisance, or that interfere directly or indirectly with water
uses;
Floating debris, oil, grease, scum, and other floating
materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other
waste in amounts sufficient to be unsightly to such a
degree as to create a nuisance, or that interfere directly or
indirectly with water uses;
Materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or othe
waste which produce taste, odor, or appreciably change the
existing color or other physical and chemical conditions in
the receiving stream to such degree as to create a
nuisance, or that interfere directly or indirectly with water
uses; and
High temperature, toxic, corrosive or other deleterious
substances attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or
other waste in concentrations or combinations which inter-
fere directly or indirectly with water uses, or which are
harmful to human, animal, plant, or aquatic life.
Guam
All waters shall meet generally accepted aesthetic qualifi-
cations, shall be capable of supporting desirable aquatic
life, and shall be free from substances, conditions or
combinations thereof attributable to domestic, commercial
and industrial discharges or agricultural, construction and
other land-use practices that:
1. cause visible floating materials, debris, oils, grease,
scum, foam or other floating matter;
2. produce visible turbidity, settle to form deposits, or
otherwise adversely affect desirable aquatic life;
3. produce objectionable color, odor, or taste, directly or
by chemial or biological action;
4. are toxic or harmful to humans, animals, plants, or
desirable aquatic life; and
5. induce the growth of undesirable aquatic life.
Puerto Rico49
The waters of Puerto Rico shall not contain materials
attributable to discharges that will settle to form objec-
tionable deposits. Nor will they contain floating debris,
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Puerto Rico
(con't)
scum, oil and other floating materials attributable to
discharges in amounts sufficint to be unsightly or
deleterious;
shall be free from color, odor, taste or tubidity attribut-
able to discharges in such a degree as to create a nuisance;
shall be not contain substances in concentrations or combi-
nations which are toxic or which produce undesirable
physiological responses in human, fish or other animal life,
and plants.
Trust Territories
G
Virgin Islands
H
(a) Free from visible floating materials, oils, grease, scum,
foam, and other floating matter attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes, or other wastes.
(b) Free from materials attributable to sewage, industrial
wastes, or other wastes that will produce visible turbidity
or settle to form deposits.
(c) Free from materials attributable to sewage, industrial
wastes or other wastes that will produce color, odor, or
taste, either of itself or in combination, or in the biota.
(d) Free from substances and conditions or combinations
thereof attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other
wastes that will induce undesirable aquatic life.
(e) Free from substances and conditions or combinations
thereof attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other
wastes toxic or irritant to humans, animals, plants, and
aquatic life.
All surface waters shall meet generally accepted aesthetic
qualifications and shall be capable of supporting diversified
aquatic life. These waters shall be free of substances
atributable to municipal, industrial, or other discharges or
wastes as follows:
(a) Materials that will settle to form objectionable
deposits.
(b) Floating debris, oil, scum, and other matter.
(c) Substances producing objectionable color, odor,
taste, or turbidity.
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Virgin Islands (d) Materials, including radionuclides, in concentrations or
(conrt) combinations which are toxic or which produce undesirable
physiological responses in human, fish, and other animal
life, and plants.
(e) Substances and conditions or combinations thereof in
concentrations which prduce undesirable aquatic life.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1980-0-341-082/109
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