*» 'X -
STATE OF DELAWARE
i
i
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WATER QUALITY 1STANDA
SUMMARY
I '
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
DOC. NO. WQS-10-001
DELAWARE DEPT. OF
NATURAL RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
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903S700O1
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS SUMMARY
FOR
INTERSTATE WATERS
IN THE
STATE OF DELAWARE
Environmental Protection Agency Delaware Department of Natural
Region III . Resources & Environmental Control
Curtis Building Division of Environmental Control
6th and Walnut Streets Legislative Avenue & Court Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 Dover, Delaware 19901
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Water Quality Standards Summary
Section 1. General .. ................... 1
Section 2. Water Uses ................... 1
Section 3. Water Quality Criteria ... .......... 2
Section U. General Criteria ................ 2
Section 5. Specific Criteria ................ 4
Section 6. Designated Water Uses and Water Quality Criteria 8
A. Delaware River Drainage Basin ........ 9
B. Chesapeake Bay Drainage Basin ........ 13
C. Atlantic Ocean Drainage Basin ........ ID
Implementation Plans ..................... 19
Appendix
Glossary of Terms ........... ........... 21
Figures
Figure 1. Significant Interstate Waters of the
State of Delaware ................ iii
Index
Stream Index ........................ 23
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SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FOR
INTERSTATE WATERS
OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE
Introduction
In the Water Quality Act of 1965 Congress authorized the establishment
of water quality standards for interstate (including coastal) waters. The
purpose of these standards is.to protect the public health and welfare and
enhance the quality of the Nation's interstate waters to serve a variety of
beneficial uses, such as public water supply, recreation, protection of
aquatic life, industrial, and agricultural uses. This publication summarizes
the standards for the general information of the public and Federal, State,
and local officials as to the uses and associated requirements for interstate
waterways.
The Act, which amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, pro-
vided for the States to have the first opportunity to establish standards
for their interstate waters, which were then subject to review and approval
by the Secretary of the Interior. On December 2, 1970, the responsibility
for administering the Water Quality Act of 1965 was transferred to the
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
All of the States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of
Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, participated in this landmark
effort to set standards. In the course of establishing the standards,
public hearings were held by the State and other Jurisdictions noted above
to give the public an opportunity to participate in setting water quality
standards.
The standards which Delaware adopted for its interstate waters on May IT,
1967, were partially approved by the Secretary of the Interior on March 8,
1968. Subsequently, Delaware adopted a policy to protect its high quality
interstate waters, and resolved the criteria previously excepted from-approval.
On July 30, 1971, the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, approved
Delaware's water quality standards in their entirety.
The standards consist of three major components: (l) designation of the
uses which interstate waters are to serve, (2) specifications of narrative
and numerical criteria to protect and enhance water quality, and (3) specifi-
cation of a plan of implementation and enforcement, including treatment and
control requirements for municipal, industrial, and other waste discharged to
or affecting interstate waters. These components, all three essential to a
complete standards program, are discussed in the following sections.
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The standards are now being implemented. However, there will be
continuing research on water quality requirements for various beneficial
uses and improved collection and evaluation of water quality data. As
more information becomes available and experience with implementing the
standards is gained, the standards will be refined and improved to reflect
this new knowledge.
Should more detailed information be required on any aspect of the
standards, it may be obtained from the Delaware Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Environmental Control, Legislative Avenue, and Court
Street, Dover, Delaware 19901 or the Environmental Protection Agency, Region
III, Curtis Building, 6th and Walnut Streets-, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19106. Delaware has also established water quality standards for its intra-
state waters, and information on these standards may also be obtained from
the Delaware Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental
Control.
ii
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SIGNIFICANT INTERSTATE WATERS OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE
BRANDYWINE
CREEK
WHITE CLAY
CREEK
INDIAN RIVER
INDIAN RIVER INLET
INDIAN RIVER BAY
ROY CREEK
ASSAWOMAN BAY
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
FIGURE 1
ill
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WATER QUALITY STANDARDS SUMMARY
FOR
INTERSTATE CATERS
IN THE
STATE.OF DELAWARE
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Section 1. General
The general aim in designating uses for particular interstate
waters is to recognize present uses and practicable future uses, to
provide where possible for a variety of uses, and to assure compati-
bility of standards with Federal, State, and local resource planning.
In order to satisfy the intent of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act to enhance water quality, the standards specifically provide that
no interstate waters may be used solely or primarily for waste assimi-
lation. All interstate waters must be aesthetically pleasing and this
quality is usually protected by narrative criteria preventing unsightly
or obnoxious conditions, such as floating debris, oil slicks, unpleasant
odors, and colors.
The water quality of other interstate streams (not listed) shall be
maintained in a condition suitable to meet the reasonable requirements
of the states they flow into.
It is the public policy of the State to maintain within its Juris-
diction a reasonable quality of water consistent with public health and
public enjoyment thereof, the propagation and protection of fish and
wildlife, including birds, mammals, and other terrestrial and aquatic
life, and the industrial development of the State.
Where conflicts develop between stated water uses, stream criteria,
or discharge criteria, water uses shall be paramount in determining the
required stream criteria, which, in turn, shall be the basis of indi-
vidual discharge limits.
Waters whose existing quality is better than the established
standards as of the date on which such standards become effective will
be maintained at such high quality unless it has been affirmatively demon-
strated to the state that a change is justifiable as a result -of necessary
economic or social development and will not preclude uses presently
possible in such waters. Any industrial, public, or private project or
development which would constitute a new source of pollution or an in-
creased source of pollution to high quality waters will be required .to
provide the highest and best practicable means of waste treatment to
maintain high water quality. In implementing this policy, the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency will be kept advised and
will be provided with such information as he will need to discharge his
responsibilities under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.
Section 2. Water Uses
The State of Delaware designates the following uses to be protected
in various interstate waters. The alphabetical designations are keyed
to the table of water uses and stream quality criteria in Section 6A.
Reworded uses added by the State subsequent to approval are shown in
parenthesis ( ).
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A. Public Water Supply after 'reasonable treatment.
B. Industrial water supply after reasonable treatment.
C. - Recreation
D. Recreation (non-water contact)
E-l Maintenance & propagation of fish & aquatic life & wildlife preservation.
E-2 Maintenance, propagation of fish, aquatic and wildlife, and passage of
anadromous fish.
E-3 Maintenance of fish, aquatic and wildlife.
E-U Maintenance and propagation of fish, aquatic and wildlife.
E-5 Maintenance of fish and aquatic life.
E-6 Maintenance of fish, shellfish & aquatic life & wildlife preservation.
E-7 Wildlife, maintenance of resident fish & other aquatic life, passage
of anadroraous fish.
E-8 Wildlife, maintenance and propagation of resident fish and other aquatic
life, passage of anadromous fish.
E-9 Wildlife, maintenance of fish, shellfish and other aquatic life and
passage of anadromous fish.
E-10 Maintenance and propagation of shellfish.
E-ll Passage of anadromous fish.
F. Navigation
G. Agricultural water supply.
>i. Drainage
Section 3* Water Quality Criteria
The protection of water quality and uses requires the establishment of
numerical and narrative limitr; on pollutants which prevent these uses. The
water quality criteria in this section reflect the best scientific judgment
available as to the water quality requirements for the assigned uses. Numerical
criteria are used wherever it is reasonable to do so. However, narrative cri-
teria are also necessary in some cases, particularly with respect to aesthetic
considerations.
Some interstate waters have a higher quality than the minimum levels
assigned for protection of water uses, and the standards seek to protect this
higher quality as much as possible in the face of increasing social and economic
development. Scientific knowledge about the exact water quality requirements
for uses is limited and by preventing degradation of higher quality waters, the
standards seek to assure optimum, not marginal, conditions to protect the uses
associated with clean waters.
Inasmuch as possible, the State of Delaware standards tailor water quality
criteria to present quality or that quality anticipated to result from install-
ation of the high treatment requirements. These criteria are outlined in
Section 6A, Table of Water Uses and Stream Quality Criteria. The Standards
also contain general narrative criteria which is shown in Section U.
Section **-. General Criteria
The following minimum conditions shall be applicable at all times to all
Delaware waters:
A. General
In addition to the specific criteria set forth in Section 6, or in the
absence thereof, the waters of Delaware shall not contain substances
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attributable to municipal, industrial, agricultural, or other discharges
in concentrations or amounts sufficient to be adverse or harmful to water
uses to be protected, or to human, animal, aquatic, and wildlife. The
waters shall be free from unsightly and maladorous nuisances due to
floating solids or sludge deposits, debris, oil, and scum.
B. Reservations
Maintenance of stream quality criteria is dependent upon the following
conditions:
1. Short transition zones will exist between adjacent zones of
varying water quality.
2. The standards proposed are based upon the ability of the Delaware
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to measure
and to determine compliance. All measurements will be made at
selected sampling stations. Such stations will be selected after
determining "representatives" of the sample obtained and the nature
of the mixing at the station.
3. The quality of tributary streams shall be such that it will not
interfere with the attainment of the stream criteria set forth
for each interstate stream.
C. Discharge Criteria
1. Debris, oil, scum, other floating materials and substances that
settle to form sludge deposits should be substantially removed
from all discharges. All materials, including oxygen-consuming
materials (carbonaceous, nitrogeneous, chemical, or other) shall
be reduced to the extent required to meet and sustain stream criteria.
2. All new waste discharges shall receive a minimum of secondary treat-
ment (at least 85 percent removal of 5-day biochemical oxygen de-
mand) or equivalent.
3. All existing waste discharges which do not receive secondary treat-
ment or equivalent shall be upgraded.
k. All waste (exclusive of storm water bypass) containing human
excreta or disease producing organisms shall be chlorinated. A
free chlorine residual of at least 1 rag/1 shall be maintained at
all times after at least 30 minutes contact time.
5- Design of waste treatment facilities should be based on maintain-
ing an effluent of such character that the Water Quality Indicators
meet the specifications as stated for individual receiving streams
during a low-flow period equivalent to the minimum seven consecu-
tive day flow recurring once every ten years.
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Section 5. Specific Criteria
Each of the waters for which specific criteria have been
established is listed in sub-section 6A through 6N. The alpha-
betical designator under "column" in the following Standard List
of Specific Criteria is keyed to the alphabetical columns in the
Water Quality Criteria section of each river basin in sub-sections
6A through 6N. Reworded, slightly altered, and new criteria added by
the State subsequent to approval are shown in parenthesis and the source
noted below.
Standard List of Specific Criteria
Column
Identification
Unit
of
Measurement
Key
Limits
Temperature
B
Dissolved Oxygen
mg/1
Shall not exceed 5° F
above normal for the
section.
Shall not exceed 5° F
above normal for the
section or a maximum
of 85° F.
Shall not exceed 5° F
above normal for the
section or a maximum
of 87° F.
Shall not exceed 5° F
above normal for the
area or a maximum of
75° F.
^"Artificially induced rise
shall not exceed 5°F above
the normal for the section
or 85°F, whichever is less."
Shall not be less than
50% of saturation or
h mg/1 at any time.
Shall not be less than
6.0 mg/1 at low water
slack (Reedy Point
Reference)
Water Quality Standards for interstate streams, State of Delaware, Department
of Natural Resources and Env. Control, Rev. Feb 1972, Sect. 8, Key 1, pg. 5
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Column
Identification
Unit
of
Measurement
Key
Limits
B (continued)
The DO concentrations
shall not be less than
6.5 mg/1 (daily average)
in the entire zone be-
tween April 1 to June 15
and September 16 to
December 31. During the
rest of the year, the
daily average concentra-
tion shall not be less
than 3.5 mg/1 at River
Mile 78.8, 1».5 mg/1 at
River Mile 70.00, and
6.0 mg/1 at River Mile
59.5-
The daily average shall
not be less than 6.0
mg/1.
Shall not be less than
the natural.oxygen level
of the ocean.
Total Alkalinity
mg/1 as CaCO,
1 Between 20 mg/1 and 80
mg/1 at any time.
2 Between 15 mg/1 and 120
mg/1 at any time.
3 Between 20 mg/1 and 120
mg/1 at any time.
U Shall not be less than
20 mg/1 at any time.
5 The natural total alka-
linity of the ocean shall
not be reduced by more
than 10/mg/l at any time.
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Column
Identification
Unit
of
Measurement
Key
Limits
Total Acidity
mg/1 CaCO,
Shall not exceed the alka-
linity by 5 mg/1 at any
time.
Shall not exceed the alka-
linity by 10 mg/1 at any
time.
Shall not exceed the alka-
linity by 20 mg/1 at any
time.
E
pH
units
1 Shall be between 6.5 and
8.5-
2 Shall be between 7.0 and
8.5.
G
H
Synthetic Detergents mg/1
(MBAS)
Alpha Emitters pc/1
Beta Emitters pc/1
1
* 2
Shall not exceed 0.5 mg/1.
Shall not exceed 0.1 mg/1
at any time.
1 Maximum 3 pc/1.
1 Maximum 1,000 pc/1.
Total Coliform
Organisms/100 ml
The State Board of Health
is responsible for the pro-
tection of all public health
in recreational waters. In
accordance with these recom-
mendations :
1 For bathing or swimming
waters, the monthly arith-
metical average "most prob-
able number" of coliform
organisms should not exceed
1,000 per 100 ml during any
month of the recreation
season; nor exceed this
number in more than 20$
of the samples examined
during any such month;
nor exceed 2,^00 per 100 ml
on any day in areas desig-
nated by the Commission for
water contact recreation.
*Water Quality Standards for interstate streams, State of Delaware, Department
of Natural Resources and Env. Control, Rev. FEE 1972, Sect. 8, Key 6, p. 5
6
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Column'
Identification
Unit
of
Measurement
Key
Limits
Total Coiiform
(Continued)
2 For shellfish growing areas,
the coliform median MPN of
the water should not exceed
70 per 100 ml, and not more
than 10$ of the samples
ordinarily exceed a MPN of
230 per 100 ml for a 5-tube
decimal dilution test (or
330 per 100 ml, where the
3-tube decimal dilution test
is used) in those portions
of the area most probably
exposed to fecal contamina-
tion during the most unfav-
orable hydrographic and
pollution condition.
3 Not greater than 70 coliform/
100 ml at any time.
b Monthly arithmetical average
shall be less than 2,^00
coliform/100 ml.
* 5 In order to conform to the
requirements in Part One,
Sanitation of Shellfish
Growing Areas, National
Shellfish Sanitation Program
Manual of Operations, the
following recommended standards
of the State Board of Health
will govern:
The coliform median MPN of the
water should not exceed 70 per
100 ml, and not more than 10
percent of the samples ordinar-
ily exceed an MPN of 230 per
100 ml for a 5-tube decimal
dilution test (or 330 per 100
ml, where the 3-tube decimal
dilution test is used) in those
portions of the area most
probably exposed to fecal con-
tamination during the mos,t un-
favorable hydrographic and
pollution conditions in desig-
. nated shellfish areas.
* Water Quality Standards for interstate streams, State of Delaware, Department
of Natural Resources and Env. Control, Rev. FEE 1972, Sect. 8, Key 11-B, p. 6
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Column
J
K
Identification
Phenols
Turbidity
Unit
of
Measurement
mg/1
units
Key
1
1
Limits
Shall not exceed
mg/1 at any time
Shall not exceed
0.005
*
the natu
M
N
0
Q
R
Toxic Substances
Taste, odor, and
Color Causing
Substances
Total Dissolved
Solids
Flourides
Actinomycetes
Ammonia
Total Nitrogen
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
Org&nisms/lOO ml
Amonia - N mg/I
mg/1
1
1
background by 10 units or a
maximum of 25 units except
following precipitation and
the increase shall not be
attributed to industrial
waste discharge.
None in concentrations harmful
(synergestically or otherwise)
to humans, fish, shellfish,
wildlife, and aquatic life.
None in concentrations which
cause tastes, odors, colors,
or impart tastes to fish and
other aquatic life.
Shal'j not exf >ed 250 rag/1 of
which the ,<;u] fate portion shall
not be g^ outer than 100 rng/1 . '
Shall not exceed 0.2 mg/1 at
any time.
None attributable to wasre
discharge.
Shall not exceed O.h mg/1.
Shall not exceed 3.0 mg/1.
Section 6. Designated Water Uses and Water Quality Criteria
Through the public hearing process, the State of Delaware has adopted the
designated water uses and water quality criteria assigned to the individual streams
listed in this section.
Subsections 6A through 6N include the water uses keyed to Section.2 and the
specific criteria keyed to Section 5.
The uses and criteria presented in the State of Delaware, Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control publication "Water Quality Standards for Inter-
state Streams", revised February 1972, are slightly different than the federally
approved set. The information contained in the State document is included in Sub-
sections 6A through 6N, follows the zone to which it applies, and is identified by
reference to the footnote at the bottom of the page.
*Water Quality Standards for interstate streams,, State of Delaware, Department
of Natural Resources and Env, .Control, Rev,. FEE 1972, Sect, 6," Keys 7 & 8, p. 5
8
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6A
Delaware River Drainage Basin
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6A-1 Delaware River Drainage Basin
D £ L A W -A R £
10
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Basin Description
& Zone Limits
6A Delaware River Drainage Basin
Water Uses
Sect. 2
Present Future
Stream Quality Criteria (Section 5)
F G H I J X Ir K K 0 ?
The Delaware River Basin, extending from River Mile
78.8 (Pennsylvania-Delaware Line) to River Mile
70.0. .
Delaware River (See Kote l)
Delaware River Basin, extending from River Mile
70.0 to River Mile 1*8.2 (Listen Point) including
tidal portions of the tributary streams, except the
Christina River-
Delaware River (See Note l)
The. Delaware Bay Drainage Basin, extending from . ;
Kiver Mile 1)8.2 (Listen Point) to River Mile 0.00
(Atlantic Ocean) including tidal portions of th'e
following tributary streams: Appoouinimink,
Leipsic, Smyrna, Little .Creek, St.. Jones, Murderkill,
1'ispillion, Broadkill.
Delaware Bay (See Note l)
. -
Delaware line to its confluence with White Clay
CrecV: .
(See Kote l)
B C F E7
B-C E-ll C
B E8 C F
B C E-l
E-ll G
B C F E9 "
B C E-l
E-10 E-ll C
A B C El
B C F E7 '
B C E-ll G
B-C F'E3
B C E-l
E-ll G
B C F E9
3 C E-l
E-10 E-ll
G
A B C El
2
5
2
5
2
5
5
3
3
3
3
1*.-
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1
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k
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1*
k
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3
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*
|
KOTE 1: Information developed from the State of Delaware Department of natural Resources and Er.viroa'nental Control Document titled
"Water Quality Standards for Interstate Streams", revised February 1972. The document, prepared subsequent to Federal
approval of Delaware's Water Quality Standards, reflects the uses and criteria which the State currently employs in the
zone described immediately above. Federally approved us-is and criteria have not been amended. However, where applicable,
enforcement of the more stringent use or criteria is generally encouraged.
11
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6A Delaware Elver Drainage F.asin
. Water Uses . ' Stream Quality Criteria (Section 5)
Bacin Description Sect. 2 '
& Zone Lircitr ' Present Fixture A B C D K F 0 H .1 J K L !: :; 0 ? o R.
T;-.T V:-.ite Cloy Creek, extending from the Pennsyl-
vc '.la-Delaware line to its' confluence with the
C:.r!. sMra River.
i.See i:ote 1)
T'r.2 Brar.d.ywine River, -.extending from the Pennsyl-
ver.ia-Deloware line to Market Street (Wilmington)
(See Tole l)
The Brando-wine River, extending from Market Street
{"."llnlmlon) Bridge to its confluence with the
Christina River.
(See Kote l)
1'r.s Christina River, extendlns from the Karyland-
~clav:9re line to its confluence with the Delaware
Hi ver is considered two zones.
Extends from the Maryland-Delaware line to
Siraller/r; Pond.
(.;ee I.ote 1)
Extends fro^n Smalleyn Pond to the Delaware River,
(See iioi-e 1)
.e Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, extending from
e ''arylgr.d-Delaware line to Reedy Point, Delaware.
(Ccfe Xo'-e 1.)
A B C El
A B C El
A B C El
A B C El
B C El
A B C El
A C El 0
B El F C
D E3 F
D El F
A B C El
A B C El
A B C El
A B C El
B C El
A B C El
A C El' 0
1) C El F .
D E3 F
D Kl F
1
Cj
2
"5
2
"5
5
\
5
2
5
1
1
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k
k
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1
':VIE 1: Information developed from the State of Delaware Department of Katural Resources and Environmental Control Docun-.ent titled
"Water Quality Standards for Interstate Streams", revised February 1972. The document, prepared subsequent to Federal
approval of Delaware's Water Quality Standards, reflects the uses and criteria which the State currently employs In the
zone described Immediately above. Federally approved uses and criteria have not been-amended. However, -where applicable,
enforcement of the more stringent use or criteria is generally encouraged.
12
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6B Chesapeake Bay Drainage Basin
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6B-1 Chesapeake Bay Drainage Basin
'-Is* '
"'../ L ^
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6B Chesapeake Bay Drainage Basin
Water Uses " ' Stretm Quality Criteria (Section 5)
Basin Description Sect. 2
& Zone Mmitj? ' Present Futv.re A B C D E T G if I ,T K I, >' Z 0 ? Q
The ITantleoke River, extending from the Maryland-
lelavare line (near Sharptown, Maryland) to
V.'illiams Pond, (Seaford), Delavare.
(See Note 1)
7::e Choptank River, extendins from the Marylarid-
t ola-ware line to its. confluence vith Mud Mill
Fond.
(See Note l)
B C El»
B C £1
C £U G
C El G
B C Elf
B C El
C E4 G
C El G
2.
5
1
?
1
1
1
1
1
k
1
k
1
3
1
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1
1
1
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'1
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*
R
HOTE 1: Information developed from the State of Delaware Department of Katural Resources and Environmental Control Document titled
. "Water Quality Standards for Interstate Streams", revised February 1972. The document, prepared subsequent to Federal
approval of Delaware's Water Quality Standards, reflects the uses and criteria which the State currently employs in the
zone described immediately above. Federally approved uses and criteria have not been amended. However, where applicable,
enforcement of the more stringent use or criteria is generally encouraged. .!
15
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6C Atlantic Ocean Drainage Basin
^<£iiy / ^' V^Uu
i*f -^ .<.. '<'.«.
I / ""
WnXU* V«no«
IXntoo . O .5 .- -
4CAR0LI.NE .
^ )?. s Sfobe. 1 .,
s
16
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6C-1 Atlantic Ocean Drainage Basin
17
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6C Atlantic Ocean Drainage Basin
. . ' . Water Uses . ' ' Stream Quality Criteria (Section 5)
Earsin description Sect. 2 .
& Zor.e Units ' Present Future A B CD ?! F . G It I J K L K H 0 ? Q R
The Rehoboth Bay, including the entire Lewes and
Rehoboth Cenal and the tidal 'portions of all
tributaries and Inroons.
(Sec l.'ote 1)
Xhe Indian River Bay, including tidal portions of
Indian River end all tr.tbutaries and lagoons.
(See ::o(-e l) .
The Assawoffiafl Bay, including Roy Creek and Little
Assaworaail fiptf.
. (See r:0te 1)
The Buntings Branch Creek, extending from Selbyville,
Delaware 1,0. the J-'arvl&nd-Deloware line.
(Sec I!ote 1) .
tha Atlantic Ocean, extending longitudinally from
Cape Kenlopeti, Delaware to the Delaware- Maryland
State line at Fer.wicX tsland and laterally up to
the Declared l.er;al limits of the United States
including tidal portions of aJ.l tributaries.
(iee l.'ote 1)
C E F
C El E10 G
C E F
C:E1 E10 a
C E6 F
*
C El E10 F
E5 H
H
C E F
C El E10 G
C E F
C El E10 G
C E F .
C El E10. G
C Eo F
C El E10 F
E5 H
El 11
C E F
C El E10 G
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:'01E ! Information developed from the State of Deloware Department of l&tural Resources and Environmental Control Eocur.ent titled
"Water Quality Standards for Interstate Streams", revised February 1972. The document,, prepared subsequent to Federal
approval of Delaware's Vfater Quality Standards, reflects the uses and criteria which the State currently employs in the
zone described immediately above. Federally approved uses and criteria have not been amended. However, where applicable,
enforcement of the more stringent use or criteria is generally encouraced. j .
18
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APPENDIX
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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The "action" plan of the standards is the plan of implementation
and enforcement. This plan sets forth the requirements for treatment
and/or control of all conventional municipal and industrial waste
discharges in the State of Delaware which affect interstate waters,
specifies the time within which this is to "be accomplished, and con-
tains programs for dealing with other water pollution control problems.
In general, the standards call for installation of secondary treatment
or the equivalent, or higher, for all significant municipal and indus-
trial wastes by August 1971. Information on the requirements for any
particular discharge may be obtained from the Delaware Water and Air
Resources Commission.
Five other types of waste problems are present in the State of
Delaware. Storm water run off is of particular importance in the City
of Wilmington. There exists an immediate need to control and disinfect
discharges from combined sewer storm water overflow and measures taken
for eventual elimination of combined sewers.
In Sussex County (the southern third of the state) septic tank
discharges are infiltrating into the coastal plain aquifer and en-
dangering the source of water supply. A comprehensive plan is underway
for collection and disposal of sewage which will keep the sewage out of
this valuable water resources.
Pollution caused by raw discharge from commercial navigation is
also present in Delaware. The extent of pollution from the source is
as yet undefined.
Pesticide residues are causing water quality problems at Dover Air
Force Basin and in farming areas. Evaluation of the various pesticides
and a resultant selective usage may alleviate this problem.
Oil spills, from both shore and commercial navigation sources, have
at times been of concern to the State of Delaware. Delaware is currently
participating with Federal agencies in the Regional Contingency Plan for
Oil and Other Hazardous Materials.
At the present time there are no programs for control of pollution
from agricultural runoff, land erosion, and water from vessels, boats,
ships, etc. However, efforts are being made to minimize combined sewer
overflows by the construction of holding basins for treatment after the
storm. Additional Federal aid for complete separation will induce
several small towns to take this approach. As a general policy, no new
combined sewers are allowed.
The Commission is considering the adoption of regulations for con-
trol of waste from boats, vessels, etc. As technology advances and
19
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feasible methods for nutrient removal become available, the sources
contributing nutrients will be required to remove them to the extent
desirable.
The Commission has good laboratory facilities (including visible
range, ultraviolet, and infrared spectrophotometers, gas chromato-
graphs, atomic absorption spectrophotometers, auto analyzers, etc.)
for the analysis of all waste water samples, stream samples, etc.
During Fiscal Year 1968 the frequency, of sampling of all interstate
streams and significant waste sources will be increased to a monthly
basis. Further increase in the frequency is planned pending availa-
bility of personnel and funds.
20
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Advanced Waste Treatment - Refers to methods and processes that will
rrmove more contaminants from wastewater than are. usually removed in
present day conventional treatment plants. The processes may lie physical,
chemical, or biological. Examples of advanced waste treatment are carbon
columns, electrolytic coagulation, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, and
ion exchange.
Bacteria - A grouo of test organisms which are used as indicators of the
sanitary quality of the water. Fecal coliform bacteria is the specific
test organism selected by the State of Delaware for this purpose. Bac-
terial concentrations originate primarily from municipal waste treatment
plants, sanitary and combined sewers, storm drains, vessels and agricul-
tural wastes.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) - The quantity of oxygen utilized in the
biochemical oxidation of organic matter in a specified time and at a
specified temperature. Waste discharges containing high levels of BOD
will deplete oxygen supplies in receiving waters.
Disinfection - The killing of the larger portion (but not necessarily all)
of the harmful and objectionable micro-organisms in, or on, a medium by
means of chemicals, heat, ultraviolet light, etc. Chlorination is thn
method commonly employed in sewage treatment processes.
Dissolved Oxygen (P.O.) - The oxygen dissolved as a gas in sewage, water,
or other liquid usually expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/1), parts
per million (ppm), or percent saturation. Adequate dissolved oxygen
levels are necessary in waters to protect fish and other aquatic life and
to prevent offensive odors. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations are
generally due to excessive organic solids discharged as a result of in-
adequately treated waste (having high BOD); excessive algal growths may
cause vastly fluctuating dissolved oxygen levels, and other factors such
as temperature and water movement have an impact on dissolved oxygen
levels.
Interstate Waters - Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, inter-
state waters are defined as:
1. Rivers, lakes, and other waters which flow across or form a
part of State or international boundaries;
2. Waters of the Great Lakes;
3. Coastal Waters - whose scope has been defined to include ocean
waters seaward to the territorial limits and waters along the
coastline (including inland streams) that are influenced by the
rise and fall of the tide.
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p_H - The index of hydrogen ion activity, used as an indication of
acidity or alkalinity in vaters. The pH of most waters ranges from
6.5 to 8.5, and most uses of vater, such as aquatic life propagation,
prosper at these levels. In most cases, a pH outside this range is due
to discharge of industrial wastes or decaying organic vegetation.
Pollution - The addition of sewage, industrial wastes or other harmful
or objectionable material to water at a concentration or in sufficient
quantity to result in measurable degradation of water quality.
Recreation - The streams in Delaware are generally small, shallow, and
murky. Water contact recreation (swimming, water skiing, etc.) is,
therefore, quite limited. However, other recreation such as picnicking,
hiking, fishing^ etc., are feasible. In order to assure safe usage, all
municipal, domestic, and industrial waste discharges contributing coli-
forras to the stream will be controlled to the extent required.
Secondary Treatment - May be defined as that process or group of pro-
cesses capable of removing virtually all floating and settleable solids,
generally from 80 to 95 percent of the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand,
and a similar level of removal of suspended solids in untreated waste.
The equivalent treatment may generally be defined as that process or
group of processes achieving maximum practicable removal of solids, oils,
grease, acids, alkalis, toxic materials, bacteria, taste and odor causing
materials, color and any other objectionable constituents contained in
untreated waste to produce an effluent equivalent to that obtained from
secondary treatment facilities in current use for any specific category
of industrial waste.
Sewage - (l) The water supply of a community after it has been used and
discharged into a sewer, (2) waste-water from the sanitary conveniences
of dwellings, business buildings, factories and other institutions.
Sewage, Combined - A sewage containing both sanitary sewage and surface
or storm water with or without industrial wastes.
Sewer, Combined - A sewer which carries both sanitary sewage and storm
drainage. Where combined sewers are used, the capacity is usually ex-
ceeded at times of heavy rainfall and the sewers overflow, discharging
combined sewage directly into streams without treatment of any kind.
Temperature - The normal temperature of a section is the daily average
temperature for the month.
Toxic Materials - Materials which are harmful to human, plant, animal
and aquatic life. These may include hundreds of compounds present in
various waters such as industrial waste discharges or runoff from where
pesticides have been applied.
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STREAM IMDEX
Stream
Appoquinimink River 11
Assawoman Bay 18
Atlantic Ocean 18
Brandywine River ....... .12
Broadkill River 11
Buntings Branch Creek .... 18
Chesapeake & Delaware Canal . 12
Christina River 12
Choptank River 15
Delavare Bay Basin ..... 11
Delaware River Basin .... n
Indian River 18
Indian River Bay ...... 18
Leipsic River H
Lewes Canal 18
Stream
Page
Little Assawoman Bay 18
Little Creek 11
Mispillion River 11
Mud Mill Pond 15
Murderkill River 11
Nanticoke River 15
Red Clay Creek 11
Rehoboth Bay 18
Rehoboth Canal . 18
Roy Creek 18
St. Jones River ........ n
Smalleys Pond 12
Smyrna River 11
White Clay Creek 12
Williams Pond 15
23
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