Appendix A Water Quality Memo - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

11 Table A: Surface Water Quality Objectives for Inland Surface Waters Constituent Concentration Algae Waste discharges shall not contribute to excessive algal growth in inland surface receiving waters. Ammonia, Un- ionized Waters with WARM beneficial use designation: varies based on pH and temperature. Boron Shall not exceed 0.75 mg/L in inland surface waters of the region as a result of controllable water quality factors. Chlorine (residual) Chlorine residual in wastewater discharged to inland surface waters shall not exceed 0.1 mg/L. Color Waste discharges shall not result in coloration of the receiving waters that causes a nuisance or adversely affects beneficial uses. The natural color of fish, shellfish or other inland surface water resources used for human consumption shall not be impaired. Floatables Waste discharges shall not contain floating materials, including solids, liquids, foam, or scum, that cause a nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Metals Varies based on hardness. Oil and grease Waste discharges shall not result in deposition of oil, grease, wax, or other materials in concentrations that result in a visible film or in coating objects in the water or which cause a nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Oxygen (dissolved) Waters with WARM beneficial use designation: shall not be depressed below 5 mg/L as a result of controllable water quality factors. Waste discharges shall not cause the median dissolved oxygen concentration to fall below 85 percent of saturation or the 95th percentile concentration or fall below 75 percent of saturation within a 30- day period. Pathogen indicator bacteria Waters with REC-1 and REC-2 beneficial use designation: waste discharges shall not cause or contribute to excessive risk of illness from microorganisms pathogenic to human beings. Pathogen indicator concentrations shall not exceed a geometric mean of at least 5 samples in a 30-day period of 126 E. coli organism per 100 mL as a result of controllable water quality factors unless it is demonstrated to the Regional Board’s satisfaction that the elevated indicator concentrations do not result in excessive risk of illness among people recreating in or near the water. pH Shall not be raised above 8.5 or depressed below 6.5 as a result of controllable water quality factors. Solids (suspended and settleable) Shall not cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses as a result of water quality factors. Sulfides Shall not be increased as a result of controllable water quality factors. Surfactants Waste discharges shall not contain concentrations of surfactants that result in foam in the course of flow or use of the receiving water or that adversely affect aquatic life. Taste and odor Shall not contain taste- or odor-producing substances at concentrations that cause a nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. The natural taste and odor of fish, shellfish or other regional inland surface water resources used for human consumption shall not be impaired. Temperature Waters with WARM beneficial use designation: shall not be raised above 90°F June through October or above 78°F during the rest of the year as a result of controllable water quality factors. Toxic substances Shall not be discharged at levels that will bioaccumulate in aquatic resources to levels that are harmful to human health. The concentrations of contaminants in waters which are existing or potential sources of drinking water shall not occur at levels that are harmful to human health. Concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments, or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses. Turbidity Where natural turbidity is between 0 and 50 NTU, increases shall not exceed 20 percent. Where natural turbidity is between 50 and 100 NTU, increases shall not exceed 10 NTU. Where natural turbidity is greater than 100 NTU, increases shall not exceed 10 percent. Source: Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin (Santa Ana RWQCB 1995; updated February 2016). °F = degrees Fahrenheit mg/L = milligrams per liter mL = milliliter N = nitrogen NTU = nephelometric turbidity units pCi/L = picocuries per liter pH = percentage of hydrogen RWQCB = Regional Water Quality Control Board WARM = Warm Freshwater Habitat