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Office of Water
14. S. BwirmHunbd PrcfaMm Agency
United States
Environmental Protection
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TaMe of-
Contents
Foreword iii
Highlights v
Technology-Based Solutions 1
Preliminary 2010 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 1
New Discharge Regulations for the Construction Industry 1
Proposed Effluent Guidelines for Airport Deicing Operations 2
Report on Pollutant Discharges from Steam Electric Power Generation and
the Decision to Revise Effluent Guidelines 2
Water Quality-Based Standards 3
Implementing the National Water Quality Standards Program 3
Establishing Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria 5
Improving Beach Water Quality, Monitoring and Public Information 6
Application of Sound Science 7
Drinking Water Support 7
Development of New Recreational Water Quality Criteria 8
Understanding Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Water 9
Biosolids 9
Common CWA/FIFRA Effects Assessment Methodologies 9
New or Revised Ambient Water Quality Criteria 10
Endangered Species Act Technical Support. 10
Fish Programs 11
Climate Change-Related Activities 12
Communications, Education & Outreach 13
2009 National Beach Conference 13
Water Quality Standards Academy. 13
Training for Indian Tribes 14
Partnership to Reduce Dental Amalgam Discharges 14
Outreach to Asian Community on Mercury in Fish 14
2009 EPA "Water Wars" Collegiate Debate Series 15
2009 Fish Forum 15
Looking Ahead 17
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foreword
The Office of Science and Technology (OST), housed within EPA's Office of Water, uses sound
science, engineering and public policy to protect and restore the nation's water quality. OST
advances water quality, public health and environmental protection under the Clean Water and
Safe Drinking Water Acts by:
Producing regulatory guidelines and analytical test methods; standards and criteria
recommendations; advisories for beach swimming, fish consumption, and drinking
water; risk assessments and special studies identifying needed regulations; and models
and tools.
Setting national water quality goals and providing tools to measure progress in reaching
them.
Ensuring federal and state water programs reflect current scientific knowledge about
water pollution causes and impacts on human health and ecosystems.
Collectively, OST's responsibilities help water program managers protect aquatic environments
and human health.
In 2009 OST continued its efforts, collaborating with partners, ensuring that sound science
guides EPA's work, and seeking stakeholder and public involvement. OST invited comments
on the Preliminary 2010 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan and proposed effluent guidelines
for airport deicing operations. New discharge regulations for the construction industry were
published as well. OST also supported regional and state water quality standard development,
partnering with our EPA Region 7 office on a determination that new recreational standards
are required for a portion of the Mississippi River and with our EPA Region 4 office on a
determination for Florida requiring numeric nutrient criteria adoption. To advance the use of
sound science, OST began or completed several projects addressing contaminants of emerging
concern. OST also supported development of the third drinking water contaminant candidate
list. Additionally, OST worked on key action items from the National Water Program Strategy:
Response to Climate Change. Lastly, OST participated in communication, education, and
outreach efforts throughout the United States.
OST accomplished much in 2009 and will continue its efforts in 2010, focusing on nutrients by
finalizing Florida's water quality standards, tracking state development progress of numeric
nutrient standards across the country, and accelerating nutrient criteria adoption. OST will also
complete research identified in the Critical Path Science Plan, advance proposed rulemakings
and standards, publish the Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Treatment
Compendium, and publish ammonia, selenium and atrazine criteria.
EpJwtum S. Kituj
Director, Office of Science and Technology
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Effluent Guidelines for the Construction and Development IndustryIn December 2009, EPA
issued a final rule to reduce water pollution from construction sites. The new rule will phase in
over four years. EPA expects compliance with this regulation to reduce the amount of sediment
and other pollutants discharged from construction and development sites by approximately four
billion pounds each year.
Nutrient Pollution Nutrient pollution is one of OST's top water priorities. Key nutrient activities
in 2009 included:
- Florida Determination In January 2009, EPA issued a formal determination under the
Clean Water Act that numeric nutrient water quality criteria are necessary in Florida for
rivers, streams, lakes and estuaries. EPA began developing a proposed rule to implement
this determination in close coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection.
- Nutrient Innovations Task Group Report In August 2009, the Task Group, composed
of state and federal regulators, published a report summarizing scientific evidence and
analysis that characterized the scope and major sources of nutrient impacts nationally. The
report also considers the tools currently used under existing federal authority and presents
options for new, innovative tools to improve control of nutrient pollution sources. Lastly, the
report presents findings and suggests next steps to better address nutrient pollution. The
Task Group's report has prompted a robust discussion of nutrient pollution issues across the
country.
Water Quality Standards Determination for a Portion of the Mississippi River at St. Louis In
October 2009, EPA determined that Missouri needs new or revised water quality standards
to protect recreational activities on portions of the Mississippi River around St. Louis. As
a consequence of this determination, the state will develop revised standards for fecal
contamination that will protect people using this section of the river.
National Water Program Research Strategy The Strategy, completed by OST in partnership
with all Office of Water (OW) offices, the Office of Research and Development, and the regions
in September 2009, describes the National Water Program's near and long-term research needs.
The research identified will expand the National Water Program's science base for regulatory
and non-regulatory tools and decisions, thereby increasing program credibility, expediting the
production of needed tools, and achieving faster and better quantified water quality public
health and environmental outcomes. A principal use of the Strategy is to inform potential
research partners within the federal research community as well as the academic, industry and
international communities of our research interests so that collaboration can be facilitated and
the science more broadly and effectively communicated.
National Lake Fish Tissue Study In November 2009, EPA released results showing toxic
chemical concentrations in fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs in most states. EPA estimated
the percentage of lakes and reservoirs with fish containing potentially harmful levels of
chemicals. This publicly available information will help states better protect their citizens.
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PRELIMINARY 2010 EFFLUENT GUIDELINES PROGRAM PLAN
On December 28,2009, EPA published a Federal Register notice requesting comment
on the preliminary 2010 plan regarding effluent guidelines, which are technology-
based water pollution control regulations. The preliminary plan is a requirement of
the Clean Water Act (CWA) and describes the Agency's continuing work to develop
and revise effluent guidelines. The preliminary plan does not contain regulatory
requirements; rather, it presents the process EPA uses to identify industries for further
investigation and analysis. EPA will use the analyses' findings to determine if existing
effluent guidelines must be revised and if new effluent guidelines for unregulated
industries must be established.
The preliminary 2010 plan contains several highlights regarding recent analyses and
decisions, including the September 2009 analysis and decision to revise and update
an effluent guidelines rule for the Steam Electric Power Generating Industry. The
preliminary plan also includes updates on analyses for Coal Bed Methane Extraction,
Unused Pharmaceutical Management in the Health Care Industry, and Ore Mining and
Dressing.
NEW DISCHARGE PVEGULATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY
On December 1,2009, the Agency published new effluent guidelines
to reduce water pollution from construction sites. Construction
activities, such as excavating and grading, disturb soil and
sediment. If soil is not managed properly, it can wash off during
storms, polluting nearby rivers and streams. The new rule, which
will phase in over four years, will reduce the sediment discharged
by about 4 billion pounds each year. In addition, the new regulations
will significantly reduce the discharge of other pollutants, such as
nutrients and toxic chemicals.
These regulations establish the nation's first, industry-wide
monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations
for construction site stormwater discharges. The new limits are based on proven
technology that will achieve significant improvement in the removal of pollutants. A
numeric limit also ensures that applicable best management practices and treatment
systems are maintained and operated in a consistent and reliable manner.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction.
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PROPOSED EFFLUENT GUIDELINES FORAIRPORT
DEICING OPERATIONS
On August 28,2009, the Agency proposed and invited comments
on effluent standards for airport deicing operations. Establishing
the new requirements would reduce the environmental impact
of deicing practices while maintaining operational safety. The
requirements apply to wastewater associated with deicing aircraft
and airfield pavement at primary commercial airports. Deicing
operations use large amounts of chemicals that may drain off
airport facilities to nearby rivers, lakes, streams and bays. These
discharges can impact water quality by harming wildlife, contaminating drinking water sources, and
affecting residential areas and parklands. The proposed regulations will reduce these negative impacts
through a variety of affordable practices, such as on-site treatment of the wastewater, shipment off-
site to a wastewater treatment plant, and/or changing deicing chemicals. If implemented as proposed,
reductions of more than 40 million pounds of pollutant discharges per year can be expected.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/airport/.
REPORT ON POLLUTANT DISCHARGES FROM STEAM ELECTRIC POWER
GENERATION AND THE DECISION TO PVEVISE EFFLUENT GUIDELINES
In 2009, the Agency decided to revise the effluent guidelines for Steam Electric Power Generation due to
the potential hazard to human health and the environment from the industry's pollutant discharges. The
decision reflects the findings from our multi-year study of power plant wastewater discharges from ash
ponds and air pollution control equipment at coal-fired plants. The information EPA collected during the
study demonstrated that the current effluent guidelines issued in 1982 have not kept pace with changes
in the electric power industry. Although treatment technologies are available to reduce pollutants before
they are discharged to waterways, these systems have been installed in only a fraction of the nation's
power plants.
To develop the revised effluent guidelines, EPA will survey the industry to collect detailed technical and
cost information about power plant processes and electric generating units. In an October 2009 Federal
Register notice, the Agency invited public comment on a draft questionnaire. In 2010, EPA will evaluate
the comments, revise the survey, solicit comments a second time and distribute the questionnaires for
completion.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/steam/.
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Water
IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
PROGRAM
Water Quality Standards (WQS) are the foundation of the national water quality
program mandated by the CWA. Defining goals for U.S. waters and setting the
standards against which all other surface water quality programs measure success,
WQS consist of four elements:
Designated uses for water bodies, such as recreation, aquatic life support,
public water supply, agriculture, etc.
Water quality criteria that establish numeric pollutant concentrations
or narrative descriptions of water conditions that must be met to attain
designated uses.
Antidegradation policy to maintain and protect existing uses and high quality
waters.
Other policies that address the implementation of standards.
Through its Water Quality Standards Program, OST develops the recommended
criteria and reviews the state standards that protect and restore the nation's water
bodies. The CWA gives states and territories the lead to administer WQS programs.
OST and EPA's regional offices (regions) provide federal oversight for state and
territorial programs, and partner together as co-regulators on a daily basis. Tribes
must apply for federal authorization to administer WQS programs under the CWA. OST
provides technical assistance to tribes in applying for federal program authorization
and in developing and implementing WQS and other water quality programs. To date,
44 tribes have federal authority to administer a WQS program. Across the United
States, 35 tribes have EPA-approved, CWA-effective WQS programs. OST also
plays an active role in providing training and technical support for tribes (see the
Communication, Education and Outreach section of this report).
Providing Regional and State Support on WQS
In addition to developing federal WQS regulations, national policy and guidance,
OST supports regions and states on specific WQS actions. For example, OST
reviewed many state standards packages submitted to the regions for review and
approval. These included challenging issues such as antidegradation implementation
procedures, use attainability analyses for hundreds of waters, numeric nutrient
criteria, mixing zone provisions, and agricultural use policies. OST also took action
to ensure that WQS protecting public water uses apply to 30 miles of the Mississippi
River around St. Louis.
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OST works closely with regions to support constructive, timely and defensible actions on state WQS
submissions. Regions work with their states to ensure that states' standards revisions can be approved
before they are adopted and submitted to EPA. Improving upon FY08 approval rates, EPA approved 93.2
percent of the state submissions received in FY09.
For more information about the National Water Quality Standards Program, visit
www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards.
Water Quality Standards Determination for Portion of the
Mississippi River around St. Louis
On October 29,2009, EPA made a CWA determination that Missouri
must create new or revised WQS to address whole body contact
recreation, such as water-skiing and swimming, on a 28.6-mile
portion of Mississippi River that flows through St. Louis. EPA's
assessment indicated that the segment has shoreline features that
include public parks, boat ramps, bike trails and sandy, sloping
banks, and the available information demonstrated that the water
quality necessary to support whole body contact recreation
could be attained. In addition, a whole body contact recreation use designation provides protection of
downstream uses that EPA determined need new or revised WQS for whole body contact recreation.
Missouri plans to address this issue in its next triennial review.
For more information about this CWA determination, visit
www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/stlouis/factsheet.html.
Methylmercury Criteria Implementation Guidance
EPA's 2001 water quality criterion to protect human health
recommends that methylmercury in fish tissue not exceed 0.3
parts per million. Mercury in the air settles into water or onto
land where it can be washed into water. Once deposited, certain
microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a highly toxic
form that builds up in fish, shellfish and animals that eat fish. Fish
and shellfish are the main sources of methylmercury exposure
to humans. Young children, including unborn children, may suffer
neurological damage as a result of exposure to mercury. EPA
committed to develop guidance to help states, territories and authorized tribes implement the criteria
to help them achieve their methylmercury concentration goals in surface water to minimize uptake
into the food-chain. Following changes based on public comments and internal and OMB reviews, EPA
published the draft guidance to the Web site in January 2009. For more information, visit
www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/methylmercury/index.html.
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ESTABLISHING NUMERIC NUTRIENT WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
2009 Florida Determination Requiring Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Criteria
Florida's 2008 Integrated Water Quality Assessment revealed that
approximately 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, 350,000 acres of
lakes and 900 square miles of estuaries are impaired by nutrients
such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Nutrient pollution can cause
water quality problems such as harmful algal blooms, low-oxygen
dead zones and declines in wildlife and wildlife habitat. These
effects also disrupt recreational activities and threaten public
health.
In January 2009, EPA issued a formal determination under the
Clean Water Act, stating that numeric nutrient water quality criteria
are necessary in Florida and committing the Agency to develop
those standards for Florida unless the state adopts and EPA approves new standards first. The federal
determination and rulemaking builds upon the substantial investments Florida has made in nutrient data
collection, analysis and stakeholder involvement, and is consistent with the state and EPA's commitment
to a stronger nutrient control program. The new numeric nutrient water quality standards will help
Florida improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its water quality management tools, protect high-
quality waters, identify waters impaired by nutrient pollution, establish total maximum daily loads and
Basin Management Action Plans, and derive National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit
limits.
EPA's decision letter on these actions can be viewed online at
www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/ifdet
Response to Office of Inspector General Report
The Office of the Inspector General issued a report to Agency officials in August 2009 recommending
that OW set numeric nutrient water quality standards to meet the requirements ofthe Clean Water Act
for waters identified as being of significant national value. In response to the report, EPA committed to
develop a set of factors to consider when identifying and prioritizing states and waters to determine
if numeric nutrient criteria are necessary. In addition, EPA committed to revise internal milestones to
better gauge cumulative state progress, develop guidance for annual state performance discussions,
launch a revised nutrient criteria Web site to better track state progress, and publish biennial reviews of
state progress. EPA plans to make these reports publically available. For more information, see
www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2009/20090826-09-P-0223.pdf.
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IMPROVING BEACH WATER QUALITY, MONITORING AND PUBLIC
INFORMATION
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that almost 71 million people
will visit beaches for a combined 970 million days in 2010. OST's Beach Program works in partnership
with the regions and state and local governments to protect water quality at U.S. beaches and the health
of beach visitors. The Beach Program focuses on five areas:
Strengthening local beach WQS and monitoring efforts.
Providing faster laboratory test methods for beach water samples.
Predicting pollution problems by identifying causal sources and conditions.
Investing in human health and analytical methods research.
Informing the public about water quality problems at U.S. beaches.
Providing Funding for State Beach Programs
To improve water quality testing and help beach managers better inform the public about water quality
issues, Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act in
October 2000. The Act authorizes EPA to provide grants to coastal and Great Lakes states, territories
and tribes, to develop and implement beach water quality monitoring programs and inform the public
about the risk of exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in the water. In addition to notifying the
public, states must also send EPA data on beach monitoring and notification for their coastal recreation
waters, which EPA maintains in a database. Since 2001, the Agency has awarded almost $82 million
in grant funds to eligible states to protect the nation's beaches, including $9.9 million in 2009. For more
information, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants.
Keeping Track of States' Beach Closings and Advisories
Each spring, OST releases a report summarizing notification actions - the number, location and duration
of beach closings and advisories -in the United States during the previous year's swimming season.
In May 2009, OST released a national summary report of state data on beach closings and advisories
during the 2008 beach season. In July 2009, the report was supplemented by state reports that include
program-specific accomplishments, issues and other information provided by the states and made
available on EPA's Beach Monitoring and Notification Web site at
www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/seasons.
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Sausui Science
DRINKING WATER SUPPORT
OST develops risk assessments for drinking water contaminants
in support of regulatory decisions made by EPA's Office of Ground
Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW). This support includes
development of contaminant candidate lists (CCL), regulatory
determinations and six-year reviews of currently regulated drinking
water contaminants.
CCL3
Every five years, OGWDW publishes a CCL identifying the
contaminants in drinking water most likely to pose a risk to human
health. OST helps OGWDW identify the health effects used to determine the list.
In 2009, EPA published its third CCL (CCL3). OST developed the approach used to
group contaminants based on the potency and severity of effects. To support CCL3,
OST also finalized health effects background documents summarizing available
toxicological information and identifying research needs for the 35 contaminants that
have available occurrence data from drinking water monitoring.
Visit www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/index.html.
Regulatory Determinations
EPA reviews each drinking water regulation at least every six years. In support of
the Agency's second six-year review released in 2009, OST finalized the toxicological
data for 73 regulated chemicals. Updates identify changes that might impact the
health basis of current regulations or suggest a need to revise the current health
assessment due to research results published since the completion of the first six-
year review in 2003. Visit www.epa.gov/safewater/review.html.
Other Drinking Water-Related Activities
OST developed a Provisional Health Advisory for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in response to regional needs to address
contaminated sites and ground water. OST, in collaboration with the Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), is developing full Health Advisories for PFOA and
PFOS. OST also collaborated with OGWDW and the Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) in establishing a process for managing a data call,
including the development of a draft list of candidate chemicals for testing in the
Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program (EDSP) in OPPTS. Visit www.epa.gov/endo.
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DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RECREATIONAL WATER
QUALITY CRITERIA
A critical component of OST's work is publishing new recreational
water quality criteria that states can use to strengthen their Water
Quality Standards (WQS) programs. The BEACH Act requires OST
to develop these criteria, which protect millions of swimmers in the
United States from illnesses associated with water contaminated
with pathogens. To revise the criteria to reflect current scientific
data, OST and the Office of Research and Development (ORD)
are implementing the Critical Path Science Plan (Science Plan)
developed by U.S. and international scientific experts and published
by EPA in 2007. The Science Plan describes high-priority research, overall goals and questions
associated with data gaps that EPA will pursue, setting the foundation for development of new or
revised recreational water quality criteria recommendations.
In keeping with the Science Plan, OST engaged stakeholders at a meeting in October 2009 to
communicate its research activities, share current thinking on criteria development, and obtain input
on criteria implementation challenges. Through continued collaboration with ORD and experts in the
stakeholder community, OST will help ensure that research clarifies key questions and creates sound
recreational water quality criteria.
For more information on the status of this research and OST's work to develop new recreational criteria,
visit www. epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/recreation.
Partnerships for Research
To develop new or revised recreational water quality criteria by October 2012 as required under a court-
ordered deadline, EPA has created partnerships to remain informed by the most relevant and recent
research regarding recreational criteria. OST is working closely with the Water Environment Research
Foundation (WERF) as they perform research in quantitative microbial risk assessment, pathogens and
indicators in inland waters, and pathogens and indicators in tropical and subtropical waters. In February
2009, OST worked with WERF to hold an Inland Waters Experts Scientific Workshop that focused on
identifying the short-term and long-term research needed to support the applicability of new or revised
recreational criteria in inland waters. The final Experts Workshop Report has been used by WERF and
EPA to identify and select research activities needed to better understand how the new or revised
criteria will relate to inland waters.
In addition, OST and ORD have worked closely with the Southern California Coastal Water Research
Project (SCCWRP), which performed many coastal marine epidemiological studies. In 2009, EPA
provided technical and financial supportforthe epidemiological studies in Doheny Beach, Avalon Beach
and Malibu Beach. For more information, visit
www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/recreation/oct2009/index.html.
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UNDERSTANDING CONTAMINANTS OF EMERGING CONCERN IN WATER
Several contaminants are currently emerging as concerns in U.S. waters. Pharmaceuticals and personal
care products (PPCPs) are of particular interest and focus for OW. EPA is implementing a four-pronged
strategy to strengthen scientific knowledge, improve public understanding, identify partnership and
stewardship opportunities, and take regulatory action when appropriate. In 2009, OST continued to
make significant progress in implementing EPA's strategy by initiating or completing several projects.
Some of these activities included the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (see below), the PFOA/
PFOS Provisional Health Advisories (see Drinking Water Support section), the risk evaluations that led
to inclusion of nine Pharmaceuticals and one antibiotic on the final CCL3, fish and water sampling for
selected PPCPs through the National Rivers and Streams Assessment, and revised federal guidelines for
the disposal of unused Pharmaceuticals by consumers. For more information, visit
www. epa.gov/waterscience/ppcp.
BIOSOLIDS
Biosolids are the nutrient-rich, organic materials resulting from the treatment of sewage sludge. When
treated and processed, sewage sludge becomes biosolids, which can be safely recycled and applied as
fertilizer to sustainably improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.
Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Report
OST conducted the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey to produce the first national estimates
of Pharmaceuticals, steroids and hormones, flame retardants and other chemicals present in sewage
sludge. A report on the survey results, including minimum and maximum concentrations for 145
contaminants, was released in January 2009. OST is in the process of evaluating the chemicals that
were present. This research advances the understanding of materials present in treated sewage sludge
and provides important input for EPA and others who must evaluate biosolids generated by the nation's
POTWs. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/biosolids.
In addition to the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Report, OST issued and made publicly
available the 2005 and 2007 Biennial Reviews for Biosolids and initiated the 2009 Biennial Review. OST
continued to build partnerships and provide technical and scientific support to regions and states on
biosolid issues.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/biosolids.
COMMON CWA/FIFRA EFFECTS ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES
OW and the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) have different minimum data requirements for
supporting effects assessment activities under the CWA and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). OPP and OW are exploring approaches to build on the science used by
both programs to develop consistent common effects characterization methods for federal and state
regulators. OW and OPP have developed a Scoping Document that describes the Agency's efforts.
This document will be presented at six public meetings in January 2010. The feedback from these
public meetings will inform the development of white papers that explain how EPA plans to integrate
the approaches used by the OW and OPP. This common effects characterization methodology and
resulting advisory values will allow federal and state risk managers to make environmentally protective,
scientifically defensible,timely and consistent decisions about chemicals found in ambientwater while
meeting the mandates of CWA and FIFRA. Visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/aqlife/cem.html.
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NEW OR REVISED AMBIENT WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
Technical Guidance Document on Bioaccumulation Factors
On September 30,2009, EPA published "Methodology for Deriving Ambient Water Quality Criteria for
the Protection of Human Health; Technical Support Document, Volume 3: Development of Site-Specific
Bioaccumulation Factors" in the Federal Register. This document provides states and tribes with tools
to derive site-specific bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for use in calculating site-specific human health
ambient water quality criteria (AWQC). These tools will allow states and tribes to increase the accuracy
of BAFs for their sites. This document supports increased consistency and transparency in our process
and can help states and tribes better protect human health by providing methods to refine criteria using
more site-specific and scenario-appropriate assumptions and values. Visit
www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/humanhealth/method/tsdvol3.pdf.
Acrolein Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Life
Following public input, EPA published final national recommended AWQC for acrolein for the protection
of aquatic life in the Federal Register on September 10,2009. An herbicide used to clear weeds from
irrigation ditches and canals, acrolein is toxic to aquatic life at low concentrations. The criteria
document EPA published recommends acrolein levels in the nation's rivers and streams that will not
adversely affect aquatic life. Visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/acrolein/aq-final.htm.
Acrolein and Phenol Criteria for the Protection of Human Health
On June 10,2009, OST published the final national recommended water quality criteria to protect human
health for acrolein and phenol. The updated water quality criteria integrate new reference doses for
acrolein and phenol. EPA accepted scientific views from the public in September 2008 regarding a draft
acrolein and phenol human health criteria document.
Visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/acrolein/hhc-final.htm and
www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/phenol/index.htm.
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT
OST has been engaged in efforts to consult with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)-Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Services) on Oregon's water quality
standards for toxic substances. The Office is also consulting with the Services at the national level on
recommended water quality criteria for cyanide. Validation of existing AWQC as they apply in Oregon's
waters is currently underway and includes 23 compounds. The outcomes of these consultations will
serve as a framework for all future interactions with the Services.
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FISH PROGRAMS
2007-2008 National Listing of Fish Advisories
Available online, the 2007-2008 National Listing of Fish Advisories
(NLFA) was released in August 2009. The NLFA summarizes
information for a two-year period about local fish consumption
advisories issued by 49 states, territories and tribes in the United
States. The NFLA database provides more detailed information
such as the fish under advisory, the chemical contaminants in the
advisory, the location of the water body, and the population for
which the advisory was issued and allows the user to generate
maps that summarize advisory information.
The NLFA from 2008 indicates that the number of advisories increased significantly between 2006
and 2008, as did the lake acres and river miles under advisory. These increases can be attributed to
the issuance of several new statewide advisories that cover all river miles or lake acres in the state.
Ninety-seven percent of all advisories involved five bioaccumulative chemical contaminants: mercury,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, dioxins and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). The
NLFA is available on the Web at www.epa.gov/fishadvisories.
Establishing a National Baseline of Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals
The final National Lakes Fish Tissue Study report was released in November 2009. The study is EPA's first
effort to research fish contamination broadly since the late 1980s, and is the first national freshwater fish
contamination survey based on a random sampling design. The study allowed OST to develop national
estimates for 268 persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals in fish tissue from lakes and
reservoirs in the contiguous United States. It also generated data that will define a national baseline
against which EPA programs can assess the progress of pollution control activities to limit the release of
PBT chemicals into the environment.
The study has yielded compelling information. For example, mercury and PCBs were detected in all fish
samples collected during the four-year sampling period (2000-2003). The mercury concentrations for
predators exceed EPA's recommended tissue-based criterion of 0.3 parts per million (ppm) for about half
of the sampled population of lakes. Dioxins and furans were detected in predator and bottom-dweller
samples at 81 percent and 99 percent of the sites, respectively. DDT was detected in predator and
bottom-dweller samples at 78 percent and 98 percent of the sites, respectively. EPA is using these data
to support Agency efforts such as developing an Agency-wide strategy for monitoring PBT chemicals,
assessing mercury in the environment and characterizing the state of the environment.
OST collaborated with ORD and worked with the regions, 47 states, three tribes and two federal
agencies to conduct the study. For more information about this study, see OST's Web site at
www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/study.
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CLIMATE CHANGE-RELATED ACTIVITIES
Evidence suggests that climate change may impact water resources and could affect water quality.
OST is working on several key actions under the National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate
Change. Several of OST's efforts in 2009 include:
Recreational Criteria and Climate Change: Climate change may have implications for biological
contaminants and pathogens in surface and recreational waters as water temperatures
increase. To better understand this issue, as part of work to develop new or revised recreational
water quality criteria under the BEACH Act, OST is conducting an epidemiology study to
determine if human health risks in tropical waters, a surrogate for water bodies that could be
affected by climate change, are different from human health risks in other waters. The study is
expected to be completed in December 2010.
Water Quality and Hydrologic Condition of Surface Waters: Climate change could impact
hydrologic conditions across the country. To better understand this issue, in 2009 OST began
examining how states are addressing the issues surrounding hydrologic condition and water
quality.
Climate Research: OST is actively involved in intra-Agency and interagency climate change
research efforts, including working with ORD to identify and evaluate future research plans to
address OW needs as related to global warming.
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2009 NATIONAL BEACH CONFERENCE
OST strives to ensure public health protection at beaches and
to improve the accuracy and timeliness of notification actions.
To support this goal, EPA sponsored the 2009 National Beach
Conference on April 20-22,2009, in Huntington Beach, California.
The three-day conference, Riding the Wave of Emerging Science,
brought together over 300 researchers, practitioners and
policymakers from around the world to discuss water quality at
beaches. Conference proceedings are available at
www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/meetings/2009.
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS ACADEMY
For 2009, the Water Quality Standards Academy (WQSA) continued its 15 year
tradition of providing high-quality training on Water Quality Standards and related
regulatory programs. OST held two courses in the Washington, DC area and three
customized courses developed to meet the specific needs of partnering organizations
and the respective regions. For example, one was conducted with the Iowa Water
Pollution Control Association and Region 7 in Muscatine, 10 in October 2009. The
Academy, in partnership with the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
(OWOW), also developed and presented a two-hour webcast, "Introduction to Water
Quality Standards," in September 2009. Over 250 water quality professionals were
trained in the live Academies and over 1,000 people participated in the webcast. For
additional information, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/academy.
New Water Quality Standards Academy Online Modules
The Water Quality Standards Academy Online (WQSA Online) has posted five new
interactive Basic Course Supplemental Topics Modules. This WQSA online training
makes training widely available, easily accessible and cost effective. The five new
modules address Human Health Ambient Water Quality Criteria, Listing Impaired
Waters and Developing TMDL's, Monitoring and Assessment, National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program, and Aquatic Life Criteria.
Visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/academy/ior more information.
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TRAINING FOR INDIAN TRIBES
OW's Consolidated Tribal Training program seeks to enhance tribes' abilities to develop and manage
water programs. Led by OST staff, this cross-office initiative provides a structured, progressive
approach to tribal training and centralizes, on a single Web site, all of OW's training courses that
assist tribes with creating and implementing water quality programs. The initiative improves access to
training for tribes, often using tribal water quality experts as trainers. The focus in 2009 was modifying
existing training courses and creating new courses to meet unaddressed needs, including a series of
introductory Web-based trainings tailored to tribes, many of which featured tribal experts who shared
their experiences in developing and implementing tribal water quality programs through case examples,
lessons learned and personal experiences. Seventeen face-to-face trainings were also held in 2009.
Visit www.epa.gov/water/tribaltraining/webcasts.htmlior more information.
PARTNERSHIP TO REDUCE DENTAL AMALGAM DISCHARGES
In December 2008, OW signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Dental
Association (ADA) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) to establish and
monitor the effectiveness of a Voluntary Dental Amalgam Discharge Reduction Program. Participating
dental offices will install and properly maintain amalgam separators and recycle the collected amalgam
waste. In 2009, the MOU parties investigated methods to track progress, discussed annual performance
goals, and increased their outreach to dentists and pretreatment programs. EPA also expanded
coordination with stakeholders to include Quicksilver, a coalition of state environmental agencies
concerned with mercury discharges.
OUTREACH TO ASIAN COMMUNITY ON MERCURY IN FISH
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet; however, nearly all fish and shellfish contain
traces of mercury. Though mercury in fish and shellfish is a low risk for most consumers, some fish and
shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm a growing fetus or a child's developing nervous
system. Higher than average levels of mercury found in 25 percent of adult New Yorkers of Asian
descent are closely tied to fish consumption OST developed public service radio messages to reach the
ethnic Chinese community. The Chinese Radio public service announcements aired in March 2009 on
five radio stations around the country. EPA also initiated the design and distribution of a tote bag with
the public outreach message printed in Chinese and English. Throughout the development process, EPA
responded to advice and recommendations provided by organizations that work closely with Chinese-
Americans, the Agency's multi-lingual task force and the Office of Public Affairs. For more information,
visit www. epa.gov/waterscience/fish/publicinfo.html.
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2009 EPA "WATER WARS" COLLEGIATE DEBATE SERIES
Building on the success of the 2008 Earth Day debates, OST hosted three public debates in the "Water
Wars Debate Series" in 2009:
1. "Is the BEACH Act Investment Equal to the Risk Posed to Human Health? Should money
that's spent on monitoring and public notification be spent on prevention and remediation?"
This debate was held with students from the University of South Carolina, Michigan State,
Wake Forest and the University of Mary Washington in April 2009 at the EPA National Beach
Conference in Huntington Beach, California.
Visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/meetings/2009/session8.pdf.
2. "How the EPA could best achieve environmental justice solutions consistent with an Executive
Order regarding Native Americans and people of color that live near Puget Sound?" This debate
was held with students from Harvard, Whitman and the University of Puget Sound in August
2009 at the EPA Community Involvement and Training Conference in Seattle, Washington. Visit
www.washingtondebate.org/news/2009-08-18-epa-debate.html.
3. "Are federal/state fish advisory programs effective in protecting public health as an interim
measure until the nation's waters are restored to fishable status?" This debate was held with
students from Harvard, the University of South Carolina, the University of Mary Washington and
the University of Puget Sound in November 2009 at the EPA National Forum on Contaminants in
Fish in Portland, Oregon. Visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/forum/2009/agenda2009.pdf.
2009 FISH FORUM
The Forum is an opportunity to bring together those who work on fish advisory issues to share the latest
science and public health policies and establish national consistency. The topics discussed include
sampling and analysis, emerging contaminants, risk assessment and toxicology, risk communication,
and risks and benefits. The Tenth National Forum on Contaminants in Fish was held in Portland, Oregon,
November 2-5,2009, and was co-hosted by the Oregon Department of Human Services. Approximately
250 people attended from state, federal and tribal agencies as well as representatives from industry,
academia, and various health and environmental advocacy organizations. Highlights of this year's Forum
included a special session weighing the risks and benefits of fish consumption. All presentations from
the 2010 Forum are available online at www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/forum/2009/.
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Nutrients A main focus for OST in the next year and beyond, some
activities of note include:
- Finalize, if appropriate, numeric nutrient WQS for Florida lakes, rivers and
streams.
- More effectively track state progress in developing numeric nutrient WQS by
establishing better performance milestones and issuing publically available
state progress reports.
- Provide increased financial and technical support to states and territories
to help them accelerate the development and adoption of numeric nutrient
water quality standards.
Recreational Criteria and the Critical Path Science Plan EPA is conducting
critical science and research to publish new or revised recreational water
quality criteria by October 2012. These will be used by states, tribes and
territories in their adoption of new WQS to protect against illness associated
with fecal contamination in water. The critical science and research projects
are scheduled to be completed by December 2010.
Proposed Rule for Existing Cooling Water Intake Structures New proposed
standards are expected to be available for public comment in 2010. The
rulemaking will address cooling water intake structures at existing electric
generating plants and manufacturing facilities. CWA section 316(b) rules are
intended to protect aquatic organisms from death or injury by impingement or
entrainment.
Protecting Aquatic Life
- Ammonia The goal is to address scientific input received on the draft
ammonia water quality criteria published in December 2009 and publish final
ammonia criteria by the end of 2010.
- Selenium OST plans to publish draft selenium criteria in 2010 for scientific
input with a goal of publishing final criteria by the end of 2010.
- Atrazine Work will continue on atrazine with the focus on analyzing new
data and developing appropriate revised criteria.
Proposed Standards for Stormwater Management OW is moving forward
on a new rule to control stormwater from newly developed and redeveloped
sites. In 2010, OST will focus on a survey to gather data from site developers,
municipal separate storm sewer systems and states.
PPCP Treatment Compendium During 2010, EPA will publish the results of
an extensive literature review of the effectiveness of various technologies in
reducing PPCPs in water.
Final Rulemaking for Airport Deicing Effluent Guidelines EPA will consider
public comments on the 2009 proposed rule and prepare a rulemaking
package to issue final effluent guidelines to control wastewater discharges
associated with deicing aircraft and airfield pavement.
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