WATER QUALITY STANDARDS SUMMARY
FOR
INTERSTATE WATERS
OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Environmental Protection Agency Water Quality Control Division
Region III District of Columbia Department
Curtis Building, 6th and Walnut Streets of Public Health
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 801 N. Capitol.Street, N.E.
Washington, D. C.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction i
Water Quality Standards Summary
Section 1. General 1
Section 2. Water Uses 1
Section 3. Water Quality Criteria 2
Section 4. General Criteria 2
Section 5. Specific Water Uses and
Water Quality Criteria , 3
Section 5^A Interstate Stream Descriptions 4
Implementation Plans 8
Appendix 12
Exhibits
Plate C4 13
Plate Location Grid 14
Figures
Figure 1. Significant Interstate Waters
of. the District of Columbia iii
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903S70002
SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
FOR
INTERSTATE WATERS
OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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 American public and Federal, State, and
locaL officials as to the uses and associated requirements for inter-
state waterways. •
The Act, which amended the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
provided for the States 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 adminis-
tering 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
states and other jurisdictions noted above to give the public an oppor-
tunity to participate in setting water quality standards.
The standards for interstate waters which the District of Columbia
adopted on June 29, 1967, were then submitted to the Department of the
Interior.
With some exceptions, the standards were partially approved by
the Secretary of the Interior on April 17, 1968. Subsequent revisions
were then approved by the Secretary of the Interior on January 17, 1969,
and with the approval of these revisions, the standards became fully
approved as both the District of Columbia and Federal standards, enforce-
able under the District's water pollution control statutes and the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (Section 10). The
waters for which standards were adopted are shown on the map in Figure 1.
The standards consist of three jnajor components; (1) designation
of the uses^ which interstate waters are to serve, (2) specification of
narrative and numerical criteria to protect and enhance water quality,
and (3) specification of a £lan of implementation and enforcement,
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including treatment and control requirements for municipal, industrial,
and other wastes discharged to or affecting interstate waters. All
three of these components, discussed in the following sections, are
essential to a complete standards program.
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 re-
flect this new knowledge.
Should more detailed information be required on any aspect of the
standards, it may be obtained from the District of Columbia, Department
of Public Health, Water Quality Control Division, 801 N. Capitol Street,
N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002; or the Environmental Protection Agency,
Region III, 6th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106.
ii
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MAJOR INTERSTATE WATERS OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
DISTRICT
OF
COLUMBIA
ROCHAMBEAU BRIDGE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
FIGURE 1
iii
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WATER QUALITY STANDARDS SUMMARY
FOR
INTERSTATE WATERS
OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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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, which prevents
unsightly or obnoxious conditions, such as floating debris, oil slicks,
.unpleasant odors, and colors.
There are no waters within the District of Columbia whose existing
quality is better than the quality indicated by the established
standards. Accordingly, it is the policy of the District of Columbia
to improve the quality of all its waters as reflected in the standards.
All industrial, public, and private sources of pollution will be re-
quired to provide the degree of waste treatment necessary to meet the
water quality standards. In implementing this policy, the Administrator,
EPA, 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 District of Columbia designates the follwing uses to be protected
in various interstate waters. The alphabetical designations are keyed
to the Table of Water Uses and Stream Criteria in Section 5A.
Category A: Water Contact Recreation
(Anticipated future use predicated on the delivery
of water of a quality suitable for water contact
recreation at the Maryland-District of Columbia
boundary line. The District of Columbia will "protect
swimming as a use in suitable, areas in the upper
reaches of this portion of the Potomac River within
the District of Columbia. .The objective date for
this use is 1975).
Category. B: Wading - .
Category C: Fish and Wildlife Propagation
Category D: Recreational Boating
Category E: Maintenance of Fish Life
Category F: Industrial Water Supply
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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.
Section 3. Water Quality Criteria
The protection of water quality and uses requires the establishment
of numerical and narrative limits 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 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 exac.t water
quality requirements for uses is limited, and by preventing degradation
of high quality waters, the standards seek to assure optimum, not mar-
ginal, conditions to protect the uses associated with clean waters.
The criteria assigned to a stream applies to all flows equal to or
exceeding the 7-day, 10-year minimum flow except where, and to the
extent that, natural conditions prevent their attainment.
Section 4. General Criteria
The following General Criteria applies to all interstate waters
in the District of Columbia:
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;
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Materials attributable to sewage, industrial waste, or other waste
which produce taste, odor, or appreciably change the .existing color
or other physical and chemical conditions in the receiving 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 con-
centrations or combinations which interfere directly or indirectly
with water uses, or which are harmful to human, animal, plant, or
aquatic life.
Section 5. Specific Water Uses and Water Quality Criteria
Through the public hearing process, the District of Columbia has
adopted the designated water uses and water quality criteria assigned
to the individual streams listed in this section.
Section 5A includes the water uses which are keyed to Section 2.
The individual stream listings describe the zone to which the uses and
criteria apply and include a reference to a plate number in the Appendix.
Generally, the plate covers a larger portion of the stream than that in
which the designated zone falls. A location grid is also included to
facilitate the relationship of the numbered plate with its location
within Region III, EPA.
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Section 5A
Plate
Description of Stream/Zone
Present; Water
.Uses (Sec. 2)
Specific Criteria
Future Water
Uses (Sec.2)
C4
C4
Potomac River and Tributaries (Md.)
(1) Montgomery County line to vicinity
of Key Bridge.
(2) Vicinity of Key Bridge to
Rocambeau . Memorial Bridge.
C, D, F,
D, E, F
}Dissolved Oxygen; Minimum level not
'less than 4.0 mg/1 - daily average not
less than 5.0 mg/1.
jFecal Coliform: Not to exceed 240/100
!ml in 90% of the samples collected each
|month.
£H: 6.0 - 8.5.
Temperature; No increase in natural
water temperature caused by artificial
heat inputs shall exceed 5°F after
reasonable allowance for mixing.
Maximum water temperature not to exceec
90°F. There shall be no sudden or
localized temperature changes that may
adversely affect aquatic life.
Dissolved Oxygen: Minimum level not
less than 4.0 mg/1 - daily average not
less than 5.0 mg/1.
|Fecal Coliform; Not to exceed a geo-
jmetric mean of 1000/100 ml, nor equal
or exceed 2000/100 ml in more than '10%
of the samples. Not applicable during
jor immediately following periods of
irainfall.
}_pH: 6.0 - 8.5
A, C, D, F
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Plate
Description of Stream/Zone
Present Water
Uses (Sec. 2)
Specific Criteria
Future Water
Uses (Sec.2)
C4
(2) Continued
C4
(3) Rochambeau Memorial Bridge to
D.C.-Prince Georges Co. (Md.) line
D, E, F
[Temperature: No increase in natural
(water temperature caused by artificial
heat inputs shall exceed 5°F after
[reasonable allowance for mixing.
jMaximum water temperature not to exceed
|90 F. There shall be no'sudden or
localized temperature changes that may
adversely affect aquatic life.
Dissolved Oxygen: Minimum level not
(less than 3.0 mg/1 - daily average not
lless than 4.0 mg/1.
JFecal Coliform; Not to exceed a geo-
[netric mean of 1000/100 ml nor equal
ior exceed 2000/100 ml in more than 10%
bf the samples.
jpji
H: 6.0 - 8.5.
^Temperature: No increase in natural
Iwater temperature caused by artificial
heat inputs shall exceed 50°F after
reasonable allowance for mixing.
Maximum water temperature not to exceed
90°F. There shall be no sudden or
localized temperature changes that may
adversely affect aquatic life.
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Plate
Description of Stream/Zone
Preserve Water
Uses (Sec. 2)
Specific Criteria
Future Water
Uses (Sec.2)
C4
C4
Rock Creek
B.C. - Montgomery Co. (Md.) line to
mouth.
Anacostia River and Tributaries
Prince Georges Co.
mouth.
(Md.) line to
D, E, F
jDissolved Oxygen; Minimum level not
jless than 4.0 mg/1 - daily average not
,less than 5.0.
j
Fecal Coliform: Not to exceed 200/100
ml. Not applicable during .or immediate
ly following periods of rainfall.
pjl: 6.0 - 8.5.
Temperature: No increase in natural
water temperature caused by artificial
heat inputs shall exceed 5°F after
reasonable allowance for mixing.
Maximum water temperature not to exceed
90°F. There shall be no sudden or
localized temperature changes that may
adversely affect aquatic life.
Turbidity; Creek bottom to be visible
in wading areas during wading season.
Not applicable during or immediately
following periods of rainfall.
Dissolved Oxygen; Minimum level not
less than 3.0 mg/1 - daily average not
less than 4.0.
Fecal Coliform; Not to exceed a geo-
metric mean of 1000/100 ml nor equal
|or exceed 2000/100 ml in more than 10%
of the samples. Not applicable during
or immediately following periods of
rainfall.
jcH: 6.0 - 8.5.
B, C
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Plate
Description of Stream/Zone
Present Water
Uses (Sec. 2)
Specific Criteria
Future Water
Uses (Sec.2)
C4
Anacostia River and Tributaries (Contd.)
C4
Oxon Run and Tributaries
B.C. line at Mississippi Ave., S.E. to
D.C. line in vicinity of Nicholas Ave.,
S.W.
jTemperature: No increase in natural
;water temperature caused by artificial
)heat inputs shall exceed 5°F after
reasonable allowance for mixing.
(Maximum water temperature not to exceec
|90°F. There shall be no sudden or
!localized temperature changes that may
adversely affect aquatic life.
Dissolved Oxygen:• Minimum level not
less than 4.0 - daily average not less
than 5.0.
Temperature' No increase in natural
water temperature caused by artificial
heat inputs shall exceed 5°F after
reasonable allowance for mixing.
JMaximum water temperature not to exceec
J90°F. There shall be no sudden or
localized temperature changes that may
adversely affect aquatic life.
H: 6.0 - 8.5.
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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
FOR
INTERSTATE WATERS
OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
.A. General
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 District of'Columbia which affect interstate waters;
specifies the time in which this is to be accomplished; and contains
programs for dealing with other water pollution control problems. In
general, all bio-degradable wastes will be given the level of treatment
1 that is required to meet the standards and an equivalent level of treat-
ment will be provided for non-biodegradable wastes. The program which
provided a secondary type treatment in the District of Columbia began
in 1949. Other than an objective date of 1975 for water contact recreation
above Key Bridge in the Potomac River, the District of Columbia has
established a target date of 1972 for attaining water quality standards
in their interstate streams.
As part of the continuing implementation program, the District of
Columbia participated in the May 8, 1969, Federal Enforcement Conference
for the Potomac River, Washington Metropolitan Area. The Conferees
explored various avenues for enhancing the water quality of the Potomac
River, one of which is to provide additional treatment at the District
of Columbia Water Pollution Control Plant by 1977, designed to remove
at least 96 percent of the BOD, 96 percent of the phosphate, and 85
percent of the nitrogen from the wastewater. Similar requirements
were established for other sewage treatment plants located in the
Conference area.
Information on the requirement for any particular discharger may
be obtained from the Department of Public Health, Water Quality Control
Division, 801 N. Capitol Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.
B. Combined Sewer Overflows and Storm Water
A program to separate the existing combined sewers into sanitary
and storm systems was begun in 1937 on a scale which is worthwhile as
to local results but it will extend into the next century to complete
the entire city. Separate sewer systems now serve 68 percent of the
total area within the District of Columbia. Recent research on the
quality of storm water from urban areas and Federal legislation (Water
Quality Act of 1965) rais.e questions concerning the feasibility of
abandoning this plan in favor of a storage and/or treatment plant.
This problem and alternate solutions will be re-evaluated as the
results of FWPCA sponsored research become available. No date can
be set for the elimination of overflows until the nature and cost of the
required construction are known.
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C. Advanced. Waste Treatment
The need to provide advanced waste treatment to improve water quality,
including a nutrient removal, has been determined by the Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration's study of the Potomac Estuary. This
analysis, together with the results obtained from joint research projects
at the District of Columbia Water Pollution Control Plant, as well as
research performed elsewhere, will form the basis for engineering decisions
concerning advanced waste treatment.
D. Industrial Wastewaters
Industrial wastewaters, while significant, are not the major sources
of pollution in the District of Columbia. Sand, gravel, and cooling
waters resulting from power production constitute the bulk of industrial
wastewater. In terms of volume, the thermal discharges probably exceed
the total of all other industrial wastewaters.
Several Federal installations discharge inorganic solids resulting
;from heating plant operations. These waste sources were surveyed by
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration and the owner agencies.
To date, controls have not been instituted.
The sand, gravel and concrete processors were surveyed in 1968 and
1969 by the Department of Public Health. Administrative actions to
obtain control were started. The volume of wastewaters derived from
these sources is small, although accurate flow estimates are not available.
During the summer .of 1969, the Potomac Electric Power Company, in
cooperation with the Department of Public Health and the Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, conducted a field study of the thermal
effects of condenser cooling discharges from three generating stations
(Potomac, Buzzard Point and Benning). The object of the study is to
establish: (1) whether the water quality standards are being violated
and if so, to what extent; (2) mixing zones; and (3) a basis for
predicting the effect of planned additions to the Benning Station. The
study and report are complete and being evaluated.
The most recent addition to the Benning Station uses 100 percent
recirculated water (codling tower). Future additions will be similarly
equipped and will permit the retirement of old, inefficient units.
The Potomac Electric Power Company study will be followed by a
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration biological study
scheduled to begin in the fall of 1969.
E. Wastes from Vessels and Marinas
Effective treatment devices for wastes from vessels have not yet
been developed. Technological advancement followed by national en-
forcement programs are needed.
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Marinas in the District of Columbia are not, in themselves, sources
of pollution. However, the pleasure craft berthed at these facilities
create local pollution problems. To control such pollution, the Depart-
ment of Public Health submitted proposed regulations to the Commissioner
in April 1968. After several revisions, the regulations were presented
at a public hearing conducted by the City Council on March 12, 1969. A
regulation to control pollution from watercraft was enacted by the City
Council, approved by the Mayor on December 26, 1969, and becomes effective
August 1, 1971. Cooperation from the Federal government in controlling
pollution from military, coastal, and transoceanic vessels is also needed.
F. Land Erosion
While land erosion and the resulting'sediment may be the most serious
pollution problem in the Potomac River Basin, the contribution of the
District of Columbia probably represents a small portion of the over-all
problem. At the request of the Department of Public Health, the Interstate
Commission of the Potomac River Basin employed the services of a consultant
who reported on the extent of the soil erosion problem in the District of
Columbia. Subsequently, sediment control regulations were developed by
the Department of Public Health and approved by the City Council on
April 11, 1970.
G. Floating Debris
This is a special problem. Some control was afforded by the efforts
of the District of Columbia Department of Sanitary Engineering until 1966.
From 1956 to 1966, that agency collected and disposed of 6.5 million
pounds of floating debris from the Anacostia River and Washington Channel.
A more comprehensive program was developed by the Corps of Engineers,
Baltimore District. Collection of floating debris by specially designed
barges has been underway since 1968.
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APPENDIX
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pH - The index of hydrogen ion activity, used as an indication of
acidity or alkalinity in waters. The pH of most waters ranges from 6.5
to 8.5, and most uses of water, such as aquatic life propagation, prosper
at these levels. In most cases, a pH outside this range is due to dis-
charge 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.
Secondary Treatment - May be defined as that process or group of
processes 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 con-
tained 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 - (1) The water supply of a community after it has been
used and discharged into a sewer, (2) wastewater 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
exceeded at times of heavy rainfall and the sewers overflow, discharging
combined sewage directly into streams without treatment of any kind.
Temperature - A measure of the heat content of water. While stream
temperature is affected naturally, man significantly affects it through
the construction and operation of dams and the discharge of cooling waters
from industrial processes, particularly power generation.
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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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Advanced Waste Treatment - refers to methods and processes that
will remove more contaminants from wastewater than are usually removed
in present day conventional treatment plants. The processes may be
physical, chemical, or biological. Examples of advance waste treatment
are carbon columns, electrolytic coagulation, reverse osmosis, electro-
dialysis, and ion exchange.
Bacteria - A group 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 District of Columbia for this
purpose. Bacterial concentrations originate primarily from municipal
waste treatment plants, sanitary and combined sewers, storm drains,
vessels and agricultural 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 neces-
sarily all) of the harmful and objectionable micro-organisms in, or on,
a medium by means of chemicals, heat, ultraviolet light, etc. Chlorina-
tion is the 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
inadequately 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,
interstate 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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EXHIBITS
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PLATE LOCATION GRID
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region III Philadelphia, Pa.
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