Guidelines FcwPPMeJoping Or
Revising Water Quality Standards
^*^^ ; £ f '^
Amended April 1973
t * I i. ' t
* 11 n A
Environmental Protection Agency
Water Planning Division
Planning and Standards Branch
Washington, D.C 20460
January 1973
Amended April 1973
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800R73101
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CONTENTS
A. WATERS COVERED BY THE ACT
B. OBJECTIVE, GOALS AND POLICIES
Objective 2
Goals ..." 2
Policies 2
C. POLICY GUIDELINES
Stream Use Classification Policy 4
The Policy
Exceptions
Implementation Plan Policy 5
icy
5oli
water Quality Criteria Policy 6
Antidegradation Policy 7
General Policies 8
Minimum Acceptable Standards
Interstate Consistency
Revisions
Clarification
Format
Other Factors
D. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Interstate Standards 10
Existing Intrastate Standards 10
New Intrastate Standards n
Promulgation Procedure
Three Year Review Process 12
Promulgation Procedure
Submission Procedures 14
E. EXAMPLE WATER QUALITY STANDARD 16
F. OPERATING PROCEDURES 32
G. APPENDIX 37
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A. WATERS COVERED BY THE ACT
Water quality standards are to be established for and made applicable
to all interstate and intrastate waters under the provisions of the Water
Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (FWPCAA). The Act contains different time
schedules for establishment and approval of intrastate standards depending
upon whether or not a State now has such standards (see page 10). After
adoption by the State and approval by EPA, standards will apply to all navigable
waters; the terms interstate and intrastate will have no significance.
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B, OBJECTIVE, GOALS AND POLICIES
Objective
The objective of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act Amendments of 1972 is to restore and maintain the chemical,
physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters.
[Sec. 101(a)].
Goals
National goals established to achieve the stated objective
include: (1) that the discharge of pollutants into the navigable
waters be eliminated by 1985, [Sec. 101 (a) (1)J, (2) that wherever
attainable, an interim goal of water quality which provides for
the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife
and provides for recreation in and on the water be achieved by
July 1, 1983, {Sec. 101(a)(2)] and (3) that the water quality
standards established shall be such as to protect the public
health or welfare, enhance the quality of water and serve the
purposes of this Act, [Sec. 303(a)(b) (c)].
Policies
The applicable policies are as follows:
(1) The discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts
be prohibited. iSec. 101(a)(3)].
(2) Areawide waste treatment management planning processes
be developed and implemented to assure adequate control of
sources of pollutants in each State, [Sec. 101(a)(5)].
(3) EPA will recognize, preserve, and protect the primary
responsibilities and rights of States to prevent, reduce,
2
Editorial correction, April 1973
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and eliminate pollution, to plan the development and use (including
restoration, preservation, and enhancement) of land and water resources,
and to consult with the Administrator in the exercise of this authority
under this Act. [Sec. 101(b)]
(4) That the President, acting through the Secretary of State and such
national and international organizations as he determines appropriate,
shall take such action as may be necessary to insure that to the fullest
extent possible all foreign countries shall take meaningful action for
the prevention, reduction and elimination of pollution in their water
and in international waters and for the achievement of goals regarding
the elimination of discharge of pollutants and the improvement of water
quality to at least the same extent as the United States does under its
laws. [Sec. 101(c)]
(5) Public participation in the development, revision, and enforcement
of any regulation, standard, effluent limitation, plan, or program
established by the Administrator or any State under this Act shall be
provided for, encouraged, and assisted by the Administrator and the
States. [Sec. 101(e)]
(6) A continuing planning process be established in each State which
would provide a management plan for ensuring that effluent reduction
actions taken within the States are adequate for meeting water quality
standards and that these actions are achieved in a timely and consistent
manner. [Sec. 303(e)]
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C. POLICY GUIDELINES
Stream Use Classification Policy
The Policy:
It is the policy of the Environmental Protection Agency that all
waters should be protected for recreational uses in and/or on the water
and for the preservation and propagation of desirable species of aquatic
biota as part of the national water quality standards program. Use and
value of water for public water supplies, agricultural, industrial, and
other purposes, as well as navigation, shall also be considered in setting
standards, but in no case, except as provided below, shall the criteria
supporting these uses be permitted to interfere with recreational uses and
the preservation of desirable species of aquatic biota.
Recreational uses must be specified as either "primary contact" or
"secondary contact." Desirable species of aquatic biota must be specified
as "fresh warm water," "fresh cold water," or "marine waters." All future
designations of stream uses and their associated criteria must, at a
minimum, adhere to these classifications except as provided below.
Exceptions:
Some waters, becaase of naturally occuring poor quality, man-made
pollution or technological limitations may qualify for an excepted classi-
fication. This determination, however, must be made on a case by case
basis following an analysis of each such area. The analysis should be
based on presently available information and must contain sufficient
data to support the request for exception based on natural condition of
the water or on technological limitations prohibiting improvement of
water quality to the degree necessary. Applicable basin and/or area-
wide plans, or portions thereof may satisfy the requirements of this
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analysis. In any case where the exception is based on technological
limitations, the exception will be temporary, i.e. the exception will be
reviewed at least every three years as required by Section 303 (c).
Application:
In applying this policy, the terms "recreational uses" and "desirable
species of aquatic biota" must be given common sense application. The
existence of man-made pollution should be viewed as a problem to be
solved, not as an impediment against assigning this use classification.
"Desirable species of aquatic biota" refers to the range of aquatic
biota indigenous to an area. For example, waters appropriate for certain
species of cold water biota should be protected for such biota rather
than being warmed, even though the waters would, if warmed, support other,
different species. In most cases, water for support of desirable aquatic
biota and secondary contact recreation can be covered in one use
classification.
The standards must provide that the most stringent criteria specified
for each parameter shall be applicable where waters are classified for
multiple uses.
Implementation Plan Policy
Due to the shortness of the deadlines in which revisions to
implementation schedules must be made and the resources required to make
these revisions, it will not be agency policy to encourage extensive
implementation revisions. In those cases where the States and/or the
Regional Administrator elect to revise implementation plans, the
revisions will be as complete as possible.
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After the initial 180-day review period, (3 months for EPA review
plus 90 days for any necessary State action), where impiemBntation plan
schedules are not valid or do not exist, or where they have not been
recently revised for interstate as well as intrastate standards, the
following process will be followed:
(1) A detailed listing of poMt source dischargers, waste treatment
and control requirements and schedules of compliance will be included as
part of each State's continuing planning process under Section 303(fe)
of the new act.
(2) The specific compliance schedules for each discharger will be
determined as a condition ef a permit issued under Section 402. The
mechanism for including the permit conditions in the continuing planning
process will be included in the 303 regulations which are now being
drafted.
The dates established via this process will become the enforceable
schedule even if the date is less stringent than the date in the water
quality standards implementation plan. Where the dates of a water
quality standard implementation plan are current and valid, the State
will be encouraged to continue using the date in their 303 plans.
Water Quality Criteria Policy
Water quality criteria establish national water quality goals.
They must reflect levels of water quality which will protect and enhance
the quality of the waters to which they apply for all designated uses
of such water.
Minimum criteria for specified water use classifications are the
minimum recommended levels set by the National Technical Advisory
Editorial correction made
2/28/73
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Committee in its report to the Secretary of the Interior on Water
Quality Criteria, April 1, 1968, and other information provided from
time to time by EPA. The Example Water Quality Standard (page 16)
contains an interpretation of the NTAC requirements for water quality criteria
as applied to specified stream uses and illustrates the minimum acceptable
levels. No criteria less restrictive than these minimum criteria will
be approved unless it is affirmatively demonstrated to the Regional
Administrator that the natural condition of the water or other requirements
for exceptions included in this Guideline preclude the application of
such criteria.
The following should be stressed:
A. Numerical values must be states wherever possible.
B. Biological or bioassay parameters shall be employed where numerical
values are not practicable, (e.g., fish survival in zone of passage).
C. Narrative descriptions may be employed where other values
cannot be established. Such criteria shall include detail
sufficient to show clearly the quality of water intended.
The measure of time period and limiting values which will govern
for purposes of the criteria must be defined, e.g., annual arithmetic
mean concentration. Where appropriate, the specified recurrence and
duration of the accepted design stream should be defined, e.g., 7-day
10-year frequency return flow. Water quality criteria should be applied
to the stream or other receiving water or portions thereof'.
Antidegradation Policy
The antidegradation statements previously adopted by the States
and approved by the Federal government, will remain in effect as part
of the water quality standards for all navigable waters. Its application
will be consistent with the goals, objectives and requirements of the
various provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Aet Amendments of 1972,
Editorial correction made
2/28/73 7
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General Policies
Minimum Acceptable Standards:
Water quality standards should be designed to "enhance the quality
of water." If it is not possible to provide for prompt improvement in water
quality at the time initial standards are set, the standards should be
designed to prevent any increase in pollution. In no case will standards
providing for less than existing water quality be acceptable except those
satisfying the approved antidegradation provision.
Interstate Consistency:
State standards will be reviewed in terms of their consistency and
comparability with those for affected waters of downstream or adjacent
States. Coordination is encouraged among States to assure such consistency.
Water quality standards should be in conformity with any comprehensive
water pollution control program developed pursuant to the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, and should be revised to reflect
any recommendations resulting as such programs and actions develop.
Revisions:
Water quality uses and criteria may be revised from time to time in
accordance with various provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act Amendments of 1972.
Clarification:
All "understandings" or "interpretations" attached to approved standards
as conditions to their approval, prior to October 18, 1972, (the date of
passage of the 1972 Amendments), should be incorporated into the standards
during the revision period provided by the 1972 Amendments.
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Format:
To the degree possible, the format of State water quality standards
should adhere to that indicated by the Example Water Quality Standard-
page 16.
Other Factors:
Guidelines for those factors which apply to water quality criteria
such as mixing zones, zones of passage, analytical testing procedures,
stream flow, units of measurement, etc., are described in the Example
Water Quality Standard, page 16.
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D, LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Interstate Standards
1. The interstate water quality standards for each State, at the
time of passage of the FWPCAA of 1972 will remain in effect.
Section 303(a)(1).
2. If the Administrator determines that the water quality standards
are not consistent with applicable requirements of this Act as
in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of the 1972
Amendments, he shall have 3 months to notify the State and specify
the changes needed to meet such requirements. V Section 303(a)(1).
3. The State receiving notification from the Administrator that
standards are not acceptable has 90 days to make changes in
standards. The Administrator shall promulgate such changes if
the State fails to act. Section 303(a)(1).
Existing Intrastate Standards
4. Each State already having intrastate standards must submit water
quality standards applicable to intrastate waters within 30 days
after enactment of the FWPCAA of 1972. Each State standard will
remain in effect unless the Administrator determines that such
standard is inconsistent with the applicable requirements of this
Act as in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the FWPCAA
of 1972. Section 303(a)(2).
5. The Administrator has up to 120 days to notify the State after submission
of such standards and specify the changes needed to meet such
requirements. Section 303(a)(2).
I/ The EPA Administrator has delegated the authority to review and approve
water quality standards to each EPA Regional Administrator.
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6. The State must adopt such changes within ninety days after such
notification. The Administrator shall promulgate such
changes and publish proposed regulations if such changes are not
adopted by the State. Section 303(a)(2).
New Intrastate Standards
7. Any State which prior to the date of enactment of the FWPCAA of
1972 has not adopted standards applicable to intrastate waters
shall have 180 days after the date of enactment of the FWPCAA of
1972 to adopt and submit such standards to the Administrator.
Section 303(a)(3) (A).
8. If the intrastate water quality standards are consistent with the
applicable requirements of this Act the Administrator
shall approve such standards. Section 303(a)(3)(B).
9. If the Administrator determines that the intrastate
standards are not consistent with the applicable requirements of
this Act as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment
he shall have ninety (90) days after the submission of such standards
to notify the State and specify the changes to meet such require-
ments. If such changes are not adopted by the State within ninety
(90) davc; after the date of notification, the Administrator
shall promulgate such standards. Section 303(a)(3)(C).
Promulgation Procedure (Sec. 303(b)):
The Administrator fehall promptly prepare and publish proposed
regulations setting forth water quality standards for a State in accordance
with the applicable requirements of this Act as in effect immediately prior
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to the date of enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amend-
ments of 1972 if, (a) the State fails to submit water quality standards
within the time prescribed in Section 303(a) (paragraphs 1-9) or,(b) a
water quality standard submitted by such State under Section 303(a) is
determined by the Administrator not to be consistent with the
applicable requirements of Section 303(a).
The Administrator shall promulgate any water quality standard published
in..a proposed regulation not later than 190 days after the date he publishes
any such proposed standard, unless prior to such promulgation such State has
adopted a water quality standard which the Administrator determines to be in
accordance with Section 303(a).
Three Year Review Process
10. The Governor of a State or the State water pollution control
agency of such State shall from time to time (but at least once
each three year period beginning with the date of enactment of
the FWPCAA of 1972) hold public hearings for the purpose of
reviewing applicable water quality standards and, as appropriate,
modifying and adopting standards. Results of such review shall
be made available to the Administrator, Section 303(c)(l).
11. Whenever the State revises or adopts a new standard, such revised
or new standards shall be submitted to the Administrator.
Such revised or new water quality standard shall consist of the
designated uses of the navigable waters involved and the water
quality criteria for such waters based upon such uses. Such stan-
dards shall be such as to protect the public health or welfare,
enhance the quality of water and serve the purposes of this Act.
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Such standards shall be established taking into consideration
their use and value for public water supplies, propagation of
fish and wildlife, recreational purposes, and agricultural,
industrial, and other legitimate uses, and also taking into
consideration their use and value for navigation. (Consistent
with stream use classification policy on page 4 of these guide-
lines) . Section 303(c)(2).
12. The Administrator must act within sixty (60) days after
the date of submission of the revised or new standard to determine
whether such standard meets the requirements of this Act. Section
303(c)(3).
13. Approval by the Administrator shall thereafter be the
water quality standard for the applicable waters of that State.
Section 303(c)(3).
14. If the Administrator determines that any such revised
or new standard is not consistent with the applicable requirements
of this Act he shall have ninety (90) days from the date of sub-
mission of such standard to notify the State and specify the changes
to meet such requirements. Section 303(c)(3).
15. If such changes are not adopted by the State within ninety days
after the date of notification, the Administrator shall
promulgate such standard.
Promulgation Procedure (Sec. 303(c) (4):
The Administrator shall promptly prepare and publish proposed
regulations setting forth a revised or new water quality standard for the
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navigable waters involved -
(A) if a revised or new water quality standard submitted by such
State under paragraph (3) of subsection (C) of Section 303 is
determined by the Administrator not to be consistent with the
applicable requirements of this Act, or
(B) in any case where the Administrator determines that a revised
or new standard is necessary to meet the requirements of this
Act.
The Administrator shall promulgate any revised or new standard not
later than ninety days after he publishes such proposed standards, unless
prior to such promulgation, such State has adopted a revised or new water
quality standard which the Administrator determines to be in accordance
with this Act.
Submission Procedures
Water quality standards or revisions thereto, must meet certain re-
quirements of Federal law and administrative procedures. They also must
comply with applicable State laws and administrative procedural requirements
which vary from State to State. Public hearings are required to be held by
the States in establishing or revising water quality standards. Transcripts
or summaries of each hearing plus any supporting data used in formulating a
State's proposed water quality standard should be available to the EPA upon
request.
After adoption by the State, the proposed standards or revisions must
be submitted to the Regional Administrator accompanied by (1) a letter from
a duly authorized State official to the Regional Administrator requesting
approval of the standards and (2) a statement by the State Attorney General
that the proposed standards or revisions were duly adopted and will be en-
forceable by the State. Submission to the Regional Administrator shall be
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accomplished by delivering three copies of the standards or revisions to
the appropriate Regional Office,.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY - REGIONAL OFFICES
REGION I
John F. Kennedy Bldg.
Boston, Mass. 02203
REGION II
26 Federal Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10007
REGION III
6th and Walnut Street
Curtis Bldg.
Philadelphia, Pa. 19106
REGION IV
1421 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
REGION V
1 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, 111 60606
REGION VI
1600 Patterson Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
REGION VII
1735 Baltimore Ave.
Kansas City, Mo. 64108
REGION VIII
1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, Colo. 80203
REGION IX
100 California Street
San Francisco, Calif. 94111
REGION X
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Maine
New Hampshire
Connecticut
New York
Puerto Rico
Pennsylvania
Maryland
West Virginia
Kentucky
North Carolina
South Carolina
Mississippi
Minnesota
Michigan
Indiana
New Mexico
Arkansas
Texas
Nebraska
Kansas
Montana
Wyoming
Utah
California
Arizona
Guam
American Samoa
Alaska
Idaho
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Vermont
New Jersey
Virgin Islands
Delaware
Virginia
Dist. of Columbia
Tennessee
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Wisconsin
Illinois
Ohio
Oklahoma
Louisiana
Iowa
Missouri
North Dakota
South Dakota
Colorado
Hawaii
Nevada
Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands
Oregon
Washington
98101
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E. EXAMPLE WATER QUALITY STANDARD
WATER QUALITY STANDARD
FOR
(State)
Adopted by the Environmental
Commission
Public Law 72-101 Section 12
example. c.ontaim> numesu,c.at value* ^on. wateA quality
a& contained i.n the. WTAC fiepont and AubAe.que.nt
and Au.ggutt> a ^otmat vthJich cJLwiJiy po>vtAayi>
the. &>&£YitAjaJt compone.ntt> o^ AtandasicU,. It -L& not -in-
tended that the. Statu adopt the. actual wofidinQ tue.d
-in the. vatLiout, &e.c.tiont> o^ thu> example. It -U> expected
that States wWt emptily the. example, u^-ing the. &pe.Csi{,
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SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
It is the purpose of these rules and regulations to
designate the uses for which the various waters of the State
shall be maintained and protected; to prescribe the water
quality standards required to sustain the designated uses;
and to prescribe regulations necessary for implementing,
achieving and maintaining the prescribed water quality,
These regulations were developed in close cooperation with
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in order that,
consistent with (State statute reference) they also may serve
the purposes of the FWPCA as amended.
Pursuant to the authority contained in (State statute
reference) which authorized the issuance of regulations to
restore, maintain, and enhance the quality of the waters of
the State in order to protect health, welfare, property, and
to assure that no contaminants are discharged into the waters
without being given the degree of treatment or control necessary
to prevent pollution, and to adopt water quality standards
the (State Agency) adopts the following rules and reeulations.
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SECTION II. EXAMPLE LETTERS
EXAMPLE FORMAT OF STANDARDS APPROVAL REQUEST LETTER
Mr. William T. Jackson
Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
St. Louis, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Jackson:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 303 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972,
I am requesting formal approval of proposed revisions to
(state) 's water quality standards, three copies of which
are enclosed.
The revisions, if approved, will change our standards
as follows: (0Jt, aA exp£a-tned Jin a.
&e.panate. e.ncloAu.ne.; on, W4.JUL e.nt-ine.ly Au.pe.nAe.de. the. e,x.i.Ati.na
c.ni.te.n
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EXAMPLE FORMAT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DECISION LETTER
Governor John Smith
Middleville, (State) (STATEMENT MAY BE ADDRESSED TO
DEPARTMENT HEAD, GOVERNOR OR
EPA REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR.)
Dear Governor Smith:
I have reviewed the proposed Amendments to the Rules
and Regulations Establishing Surface Water Criteria for the
State of , as adopted by the (State Agency)
on (date) , following a public hearing held
by the Department on (date) The amended rules and
regulations were duly adopted pursuant to the authority con-
tained in the (State Environmental Enhancement Act of 1969,
as revised, 71 Stat. 432). The hearing was held in accordance
with the provisions of the (State Administrative Procedure
Act, O.S.A. 52: 14B e_t seq.)
The proposed regulations amend the use classifications
and certain criteria assigned to protect those classifications
previously approved by the Environmental Protection Agency on
(date) . These proposed regulations apply to all
navigable waters in (state) .
On the basis of the above, I have concluded that the
Rules and Regulations Establishing Surface Water Criteria for
the State of have been promulgated in accordance
with State law and that they will be legally enforceable in
the State.
Signature
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SECTION III.
ANTIPEGRADATION STATEMENT
Waters whose existing quality is better than the established
standards as of the date on which set standards become effective
will be maintained at their existing high quality. These and other
waters of the state will not be lowered in quality unless it has been
affirmatively demonstrated to the state water pollution control agency
that such a change is justified as a result of necessary economic or
social development, and will not interfere with or become injurious
to any assigned uses made of or presently possible in such waters.
This will require that any industrial, public or private project,
or development which would constitute a new source of pollution or
an increased source of pollution to high quality waters, will be re-
quired as part of the initial project design to provide the highest
and best degree of waste treatment available under existing technology.
Since these are also Federal standards, the waste treatment re--
quirements will be developed cooperatively.
SECTION IV,
USE DEFINITION
Multiple use classifications incorporating such uses as public
water supply, agricultural, industrial, and navigation are acceptable,
as long as the waters are protected for primary contact recreation (Class
A, p. 21 ) or for desirable species of aquatic biota or secondary
contact recreation (Class B, p. 21), unless an excepted lower classification
is justified as specified on page 4 of these Guidelines.
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Class A: Water Contact Recreation and Other Uses. A surface raw water
source intended for uses where the human body may come in direct contact with
the raw water to the point of complete body submergence. The raw water may
be ingested accidentally and certain sensitive body organs such as eyes, ears,
nose, and so forth may be exposed to the water. Although the water may be
ingested accidentally it is not intended to be used as a potable supply unless
acceptable treatment is applied. Water may be used for swimming, water
skiiing, skin diving, other similar activities, or as a raw water source
for public water supply, !_/ support and propagation of fish and
wildlife, agricultural, industrial and navigational uses.
Class B: Fish, Wildlife and Other Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Life and Other
Uses.
A surface raw water source, suitable for the growth and propagation of fish,
other aquatic and semi-aquatic life both marine and freshwater; waterfowl;
fur bearers; and wildlife. This water may be used for trout habitat, warm
water fish habitat, wildlife habitat, and other similar uses. This water is
also suitable for secondary water contact recreation such as fishing, wading,
boating or activities where ingestion of the water is not probable
or as a raw water source for public water supply, agricultural, industrial
and navigational uses.
V Criteria for Classes A and B are equal to or more stringent than those
applicable for public water supply use as stated in thp renort nf thp
National Technical Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Interior
on Water Quality Criteria.
21
Editorial correction made
5/16/73
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USE CLASSIFICATION
USE:
A - Water Contact Recreation and Other Uses
B - Fish, Wildlife and Other Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Life-
Secondary Contact-Recreation and Other Uses
STREAM USE
Red River Basin
Red River -- A
Red Run - B
Black River -- - A
Joseph River - A
Turtle Creek -» — B
Sandy Creek A
Penn's Run B
Clarion Creek B
Muskingum River Basin
Muskingum River A
Denison River B
Muskie Creek B
Montgomery Lake B
Lake Lutheran - A
Mace River A
Stag Run -- - B
Wooster River (Rt. 197 Bridge to mouth) A
Wooster River (Douglas Bridge to Rt. 197 Bridge)B
Wooster River (State Line to Douglas Bridge) A
Cambridge River A
The Point --- A
Unnamed Tributary to Cambridge River
at Hebron B
Coshocton Creek B
Buckeye Lake A
Universal Reservoir B
Penn River Basin
Penn River A
Verona Creek A
Etna Run B
Oakmont River B
Alcoma River (State Line to Lake Unity) -- B
Alcoma River (Lake Unity to Rodj Bridge) A
Alcoma River (Rodi Bridge to mouth) A
Lake Unity A
22
Editorial correction made 2/28/73
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SECTION V.
GENERAL WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
All surface waters shall meet the generally accepted
aesthetic qualifications and shall be capable of supporting
desirable diversified aquatic life, and these waters shall be:
(1) Free from substances attributable to municipal,
industrial or other discharges or agricultural
practices that will settle to form objectionable
sludge deposits.
(2) Free from floating debris, 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,
industrial or other discharges or agricultural
practices producing color, odor or other con-
ditions in such degree as to create a nuisance.
(4) Free from substances attributable to municipal,
industrial or other discharges or agricultural
practices in concentrations or combinations which
are toxic or harmful to human, animal, plant or
aquatic life.
NOTE: Some States have designated certain streams or portions
thereof where no discharge is permitted. These
designations may continue to be applied using whatever
description the State desires.
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Radioactivity
Gross Beta 1,000 picocuries per liter
Radium-226 3 picocuries per liter
Strontium-90 10 picocuries per liter
Phosphorus - Total phosphorus as P shall not exceed 50 ug/1 in
any stream at the point where it enters any
reservoir or lake, nor 25 ug/1 in any reservoir
or lake. A desired goal in order to prevent
plant nuisances in streams and other flowing
waters appears to be 100 ug/1 total P. (*Revised
April 1973).*
Suspended Colloidal or Settleable Solids: None from waste water
source which will permit
objectionable deposition
or be deleterious for the
designated uses.
Oil and Floating Substances: No residue attributable to waste
water nor visible film oil or
globules of grease.
MIXING ZONES
The total area and/or volume of a receiving stream assigned
to mixing zones be limited to that which will: (1) not interfere
with biological communities or populations of important species
to a degree which is damaging to the ecosystem; (2) not diminish
other beneficial uses disproportionately.
* Detailed guidance for granting exceptions to this criterion
unique to the phosphorus situation, was provided to the
Hegd'onal Administrators on April 4, 1973.
Editorial correction made
4/14/73 25
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ZONES OF PASSAGE
In river systems, reservoirs, lakes, estuaries and coattal
waters, zones of passage are continuous water routes of the volume,
area and quality necessary to allow passage of free-swimming and
drifting organisms with no significant effects produced on their
populations. These zones must be provided wherever mixing zones
are allowed.
Because of varying local physical and chemical conditions
and biological phenomena no single value can be given on the per-
centage of river width necessary to allow passage of critical
free-swimming and drifting organisms so that negligible or no
effects are produced on their populations. As a guideline, mixing
zones should be limited to no more than 1/4 of cross-sectional area
and/or volume of flow of stream or estuary, leaving at least 3/4
free as a zone of passage.
ANALYTICAL TESTING
All methods of sample collection, preservation, and analysis
used in applying any of the rules and regulations in these standards
shall be in accord with those prescribed in "Standard Methods for
the Examination of Water and Waste Water," Thirteenth Edition, or
any subsequent edition with other generally accepted procedures.
STREAM FLOWS
The water quality standards shall apply at all times
except during periods when flows are less than the average
minimum seven-day low flow which occurs once in ten years.
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DEFINITION OF COMMON TERMS:
TERM
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Coliform Group Organisms
(Total Coliform Organisms)
Colloidal Substances
Combined Sewer
Desirable Species
Dilution Ratio
Disinfection
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Effluent
MEANING
The measure of the amount of
oxygen necessary to satisfy
the biochemical oxidation
requirements of pollutants at the
time the sample is collected;
unless otherwise specified, this
term will mean the 5 day BOD
incubated at 20°C.
All of the aerobic and faculta-
tive anaerobic gram-negative,
non-spore-forming rod shaped
bacteria that ferment lactose
broth with gas formation with-
in 48 hours at 35°C.
Minute clay or other substances
which do not settle out without
the use of a flocculant.
A sewer receiving both waste-
water and land run-off.
The aquatic biota indigenous
to warm or cold water fisheries.
The ratio of the seven-day once
in ten years low flow of the
receiving stream to the average
dry weather flow of the treat-
ment works for the design year.
A method of reducing the patho-
genic or objectionable micro-
organisms by means of chemicals
or other acceptable means.
A measure of the amount of free
oxygen in the water.
Any point source wastewater
discharged, directly or indirectly
to the waters of the State
or to any storm sewer, and the
runoff from land used for the
disposition of wastewater or
sludges.
27
Editorial correction made 4/17/73
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TERM
Fecal Coliform
Industrial Wastes
Interstate Waters
Intrastate Waters
Membrane Filtration
Milligrams per Liter'(mg/1)
Navigable Waters
Pollutant
MEANING
The portion of the coliform
group which is present in the
gut or the feces of warm-blooded
animals. It generally includes
organisms which are capable of
producing gas from lactose broth
in a suitable culture medium
within 24 hours at 44.5° +_ 0.5°C.
Any solid, liquid, or gaseous
wastes resulting from any process,
or from excess energy, of in-
dustry, manufacturing, trade, or
business or from the development,
processing, or recovery, except
£or agricultural crop raising,
of any natural resources.
All waters which cross or form a
part of the border between States.
All waters of the State which are
not interstate waters.
A technique of bacteriological
analysis. This technique in-
volves the running of a certain
volume of water through a
cellulose ester wafer which is
then impregnated with growth
media for bacteria.
Milligrams of solute per liter
of solution-equivalent to parts
per million-assuming unit density.
The waters of the United States,
including the territorial seas.
Dredged spoil, solid waste,
incinerator residue, sewage,
garbage, sewage sludge, munitions,
chemical waste, biological
materials, radioactive materials,
heat, wrecked or discarded
equipment, rock, sand, celler
dirt and industrial, municipal,
and agricultural waste discharged
into water.
28
Editorial correction made
4/16/73
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TERM
Pollution
Primary Contact
Public and Food Processing
Water Supply
Schedule of Compliance
Secondary (Contact
Sewage
Stream Flow
MEANING
The man-made or man-induced
alteration of the chemical,
physical, biological, and
radiological integrity of water.
Any recreational or other water
use in which there is prolonged
and intimate contact with the
water involving considerable
risk of ingesting water in
quantities sufficient to pose
a significant health hazard,
such as swimming and water skiing.
Any water use in which water is
withdrawn from surface waters of
the State for human consumption
or for processing of food pro-
ducts intended for human con-
sumption.
A schedule of remedial measures
including an enforceable sequence
of actions or operations leading
to compliance with an effluent
limitation, other limitation,
prohibition, or standard.
Any recreational or other water
use in which contact with the
water is either incidental or
accidental and in which the
probability of ingesting apprecia-
ble quantities of water is minimal,,
such as fishing, commercial and
recreational boating and any
limited contact incident to shore
line activity.
Water-carried human and related
wastes from any source together
with associated land runoff.
The non-tidal water movement
that occurs in a natural channel.
29
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TERM
Temperature
Toxic Pollutant
(Amended, April 1973)
Treatment Works
Wastewater
Wastewater Source
Waters
MEANING
A measure of the heat content of water.
While stream temperature is affected
naturally, man significantly affects it
through construction and operation of dams
and the discharge of cooling waters from
industrial processes, particularly power
generation.
Those pollutants or combinations of
pollutants, including disease-causing
agents, which after discharge and upon
exposure, ingestion, inhalation or
assimilation into any organism, either
directly from the environment or indirectly
by ingestion through food chains, will
cause death, disease,behavioral ,
abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations,
physiological malfunctions, in such
organisms or their offspring.
Those constructions or devices,
individually or collectively, except
sewers, used for collecting, pumping,
treatment, or disposing of wastewaters or for
the recovery of by-products from such
wastewater.
Sewage, industrial waste, or other waste,
or any combination of these, whether
treated or untreated, plus any admixed
land runoff.
Any equipment, facility, or other point
source of any type whatsoever which
discharges wastewater directly or
indirectly (except through a sewer
tributary to a treatment works), 'to the
waters of the State.
All accumulations of water, surface and
underground, natural, and artificial,
public and private or parts thereof,
which are wholly or partially within,
flow through, or border upon the State,
except that sewers and treatment works
are not included.
30
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TERM
Water Quality Standards
(Current, until initial
revision period under
FWPCAA of 1972 has ended)
Water Quality Standards
(Subsequent to intital
revision period under
Section 303(a) of FWPCAA
of 1972)
MEANING
The designated stream uses or
classifications, criteria to
protect those uses, implementation
and enforcement plans, and the
antidegradation statement.
The designated uses of the
navigable waters involved, the
water quality criteria for such
waters based upon such uses, and
the antidegradation statement.
31
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F. OPERATING PROCEDURES
STEP I
States having intrastate standards were requested to submit them
by November 18, 1972, to the appropriate EPA Regional Office for review
and approval. States not now having intrastate standards must adopt
and submit them to EPA by April 18, 1973.
Submission accomplished by:
(1) Letter from responsible State official
that intrastate standards are contained
in same documents as interstate standards
now on file with EPA, or,
(2) Submittal of a complete standards package
to the Regional Administrator.
STEP 2
The EPA Regional Administrator immediately begins to
review existing interstate and intrastate water quality standards.
He conducts the review in the following manner working closely with
the State:
USES
--Review each individual stream use designation for conformity with
national policy requirements (see page 4 of these Guidelines).
If stream designations meet requirements, no further action is
needed. If streams are not in conformity with the requirements,
advise State in the manner specified in Step 3 below.
32
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CRITERIA
--Review water quality criteria for adherence to NTAC recommended
minimums (see pages 23-26 of these Guidelines) for interpretation
of NTAC report. If water quality criteria are consistent with
national policy requirements, no further action is needed. If
water quality criteria need to be upgraded, advise the State in
the manner specified in Step 3 below.
OTHER FACTORS
--many previously approved standards contain supplemental understandings,
agreements, or interpretations. These should all be reviewed, ~
and if still applicable, made an integral part of the water
quality standards.
--clarity of the standards, uniformity of format, interstate and
interregional consistency must be considered during the review
process.
STEP 3
After the above cooperative review, each Regional Administrator
shall, by letter, not later than January 18, 1973, officially notify States
of the revisions that are required in interstate water quality standards
which the Regional Administrator expects the State to adopt within ninety
(90) days. The letter should be sent to the Governor of the affected
State. If no letter is sent by January 18, 1973, the standards previously
submitted will remain in effect.
STEP 4
The States have 90 days from notification to adopt the EPA-
recommended revisions.
33
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Water quality standards or revisions thereto, must meet certain
requirements of Federal law and administrative procedures (see page
14 of these Guidelines). They also must comply with applicable State
laws and administrative procedural requirements which vary from State
to State. After adoption by the State, the proposed standards or revisions
must be submitted to the Regional Administrator accompanied by (1)
a letter from an authorized official to the Regional Administrator
requesting approval of the standards, and (2) a statement by the
State Attorney General that the proposed standards or revisions were
duly adopted and will be enforceable by the State. Submission to the
Regional Administrator shall be accomplished by delivering three
copies of the standards or revisions to the appropriate Regional Office.
(Sample letters are included, on pages 18 and 19.)
STEP 5
The Regional Office must review each submittal to determine
compliance with national policies and goals. A checklist to aid
in this review is included on page 500-9 of the Water Quality
Standards Regional Guide issued in September 1972.
Regional review and approval procedures are as follows:
A. If the proposal conforms with national policies,
the region should:
1. Obtain the official proposal, including
the official request for approval and
State Attorney General's letter.
34
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2. Prepare an approval letter. (Sample
enclosed on page 500-19 of the Water Quality
Standards Guide issued in September 1972.)
3. Transmit to Headquarters:
a. For the national public files,
i^ An official copy of the standards
to be approved,
ii. An official copy of'the State
submittal documentation.
b. A draft Federal Register notice.
(Sample enclosed on page 500-21 of the
Water Quality Standards Regional Guide
issued in September 1972 and EPA
order 1390.)
STEP 6
If the State adopted water quality standards do not meet the
requirements specified in the policy section of these Guidelines
and the suggested revisions offered by the Regional Administrator,
the EPA must promptly publish proposed water quality standards for
that State in the Federal Register. The law does not define "promptly".
We shall consider it to mean within 30 days.
--each Regional Office will prepare the draft Federal Register
statement and forward same to the Branch of Planning and
Standards for processing.
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-EPA must promulgate standards 190 days after initial
publication unless the State has adopted approvable standards
in the interim.
36
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G, APPENDIX
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20460
OFFICE OF THE
ADMINISTRATOR
November 8, 1972
Memorandum
To : All Regional Administrators
Subject : Water Quality Standards Review and Revision
The enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972 imposes several legislative mandates with
respect to the review and revision of Water Quality Standardse
These requirements include (1) the inclusion of intrastate
standards in the standards program under provisions of the prior
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and (2) review and revision
of the interstate water quality standards as they were developed
and approved under the prior Act for adherence to the provisions
of the prior Act0
Because of their importance in issuing municipal and industrial
permits, review and revision of the standards will be a priority
task in implementing the provisions of the 1972 Amendments0 Water
Quality Standards uses and criteria and implementation plan sections
of the standards are to be revised by EPA in conjunction with the
States in accordance with the following policy:
(1) In reviewing and providing guidance to the States with
respect to revision of the "uses" and "criteria" EPA will require
that the goals and policies in effect prior to the 1972 Amendments
continue to apply. Under these goals and policies, State waters
should be classified for uses that will permit "recreation in or on
the water" and "the support and propagation of desirable species of
aquatic wildlife,,"
(2) The water quality criteria to support these uses are
those contained in the National Technical Advisory Committee's
Green Book Report, and should be uniformly applied to both interstate
and intrastate waters.
(3) Use designations and criteria established by States
bordering interstate waters should be revised if necessary to make
them consistent.
(4) Exceptions to classifications lower than that for
recreation and fish and wildlife should be justifiedo If, based
upon natural conditions or upon defensible socio-economic analyses,
37
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the desired uses are not possible, exceptions can be made. In these
cases, the exceptions should be on specific criteria basis, If, for
example, the State adequately demonstrates that natural conditions
or man-made conditions that cannot be realistically controlled preclude
reaching the desired water quality criterion for turbidity, then only
this criterion should be excepted for the body of water in question,
(5) Note it is not Agency policy to upgrade now use designa-
tions for all waters to meet the 1983 level.
(6) All State standards now contain an antidegradation
statement. Antidegradation is compatible with the goals of the Act,
therefore, no actions should be taken to revise such statements.
The existing statement should be included in the revised standards.
Under the prior FWPCA, implementation plans were an integral part
of the standards and are therefore subject to review and revision.
Because other programs under the 1972 Amendments affect the schedules
as now contained in many implementation plans, we will not require an
extensive general revision of implementation plans. We are now
canvassing the Regions to determine the desired extent of these
revisions. (. . . see page 5 of these Guidelines)
The schedule for completing the initial revisions of
water quality standards under Sections 303(a), (b) is:
Time Requirements
November 18, 1972 States submit existing intrastate standards.
January 18, 1973 EPA reviews existing interstate standards;
notifies States of necessary revisions.
March 18, 1973 EPA reviews existing intrastate standards;
notified States of necessary revisions.
April 18, 1973 States adopt revisions to interstate
standards or EPA initiates promulgation
action.
States submit new intrastate standards.
June 18, 1973 States adopt revisions to intrastate standards
or EPA initiates promulgation action.
July 18, 1973 EPA reviews new intrastate standards;
notifies States of necessary revisions.
October 18, 1973 States adopt revisions to new intrastate
standards or EPA initiates promulgation
action.
38
Editorial correction made 2/28/73
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Your water quality standards Coordinators on November 9
will be reviewing and commenting on guidance to carry out the
above policies. Once completed, copies of the Guidelines
will be forwarded to you»
(ORIGINAL MEMO SIGNED BY)
Robert W. Fri
Deputy Administrator
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1973 514-154/273
39
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A$, oncy
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