No. 39397 (Amendment): Rule R317-2. Standards of Quality for Waters of the State

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 39397
Filed: 05/15/2015 12:20:45 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Subsection R317-2-7(7.1) was revised so that the Division can avoid listing a water as impaired because natural background concentrations of a pollutant are higher than the statewide standard. Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.1, Footnote 4 was revised with a site-specific total dissolved solids criteria for Blue Creek, Box Elder County because natural background total dissolved solids concentrations exceed the statewide criterion of 1,200 mg/l. In Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, the aquatic life criteria for gross alpha were revised to be indicators to be consistent with Footnote 10 and gross beta. Criteria result in impairment determinations when the criteria are exceeded. The gross alpha concentrations were intended to be interpreted as indicators which would result in further investigation and analyses before concluding impairment. In Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, Footnote 13 the formula for calculating hydrogen sulfide could not be verified and produces erroneous results at low pH. In Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.3b, the acute aquatic life criteria for nickel, silver, and zinc were missing parentheses in the formulas.

Summary of the rule or change:

In Subsection R317-2-7(7.1), an explicit condition was added that when background concentration of a pollutant is higher than the applicable water quality criterion, the criterion will be the background concentration. This change is per USEPA Guidance and is intended to allow Utah to delist or not list waters where the exceedance of criteria is determined to be caused by natural conditions. Subsection R317-2-7(7.1) was reformatted into three subsections. This revision affects all waters of the state. In Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.1, Footnote 4, the site-specific total dissolved solids criteria for Blue Creek, Box Elder County, were revised. The existing site-specific criteria are too low and based on historical total dissolved solids data would likely result in erroneously concluding that Blue Creek was impaired because ambient total dissolved solids concentrations exceed the state-wide 1,200 mg/l criterion. The proposed criteria are recalculated into two seasonal criteria, each having both maximum and average criteria. Comparison values for assessing against the average criteria are also included. The location of Blue Creek is corrected from Gunnison to Bear River Bay. In Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, the aquatic life criteria for gross alpha were changed from criteria to indicators. The existing gross alpha criteria include a reference to Footnote 10, the same as all other indicators including gross beta demonstrating the intent that gross alpha should be interpreted as an indicator. USEPA has not promulgated aquatic life use criteria for gross alpha or beta. The result is that gross alpha will be an indicator for Class 3 aquatic life uses but remains as criteria for Class 1C and Class 4 waters. This revision affects all waters of the state. In Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, Footnote 13 was deleted because the formula for calculating hydrogen sulfide could not be verified in either USEPA or Standard Methods and produces erroneous results at low pH. Absent the footnote, hydrogen sulfide concentrations will be determined in accordance with approved analytical methods. This revision affects all Waters of the State. In Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.3b, missing parentheses were added to correct formulas for calculating acute aquatic life criteria for nickel, silver, and zinc. These corrections affect all waters of the state.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 19-5-105
• FWPCA, 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251
• Section 19-5-110
• FWPCA, 33 U.S.C, Sec. 1311 through 1317
• FWPCA, 33 U.S.C, Sec. 1329

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The cost savings for proposed revisions to Subsection R317-2-7(7.1), Section R317-2-14, and Tables 2.14.1 and 2.14.2 are uncertain because they are based on how many erroneous impairment listings are avoided. Based on past experience the cost savings are anticipated to range from $0 to $15,000 per year on average based on an average of 40 hours of staff time per listing avoided. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, Footnote 13, will not affect the state budget because the only result will be that a different equation will be used to calculate hydrogen sulfide concentrations. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.3b, will not affect the state budget because these were housekeeping changes.

local governments:

No cost increase or savings are anticipated for local governments because the proposed revisions to Subsection R317-2-7(7.1), Section R317-2-14, and Tables 2.14.1 and Table 2.14.2 will not change the ultimate outcome where site-specific standards are promulgated when ambient background concentrations exceed the statewide criteria. The revisions will result in eliminating unnecessary intermediate steps that affect state resources but not local governments. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, Footnote 13 will not affect the local government's budgets because the only result will be that a different equation will be used to calculate hydrogen sulfide concentrations. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.3b will not affect local government's budgets because these were housekeeping changes.

small businesses:

No cost increase or savings are anticipated for small businesses because the proposed revisions to Subsection R317-2-7(7.1), Section R317-2-14, and Tables 2.14.1 and 2.14.2 will not change the ultimate outcome where site-specific standards are promulgated when ambient background concentrations exceed the statewide criteria. The revisions will result in eliminating unnecessary intermediate steps that affect state resources but not small businesses. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, Footnote 13 will not affect the small businesses' budgets because the only result will be that a different equation will be used to calculate hydrogen sulfide concentrations. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.3b will not affect businesses' budgets because these were housekeeping changes.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

No cost increase or savings are anticipated for persons because the proposed revisions to Subsection R317-2-7(7.1), Section R317-2-14, and Tables 2.14.1 and 2.14.2 will not change the ultimate outcome where site-specific standards are promulgated when ambient background concentrations exceed the statewide criteria. The revisions will result in eliminating unnecessary intermediate steps that affect state resources but not for individual persons. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2, Footnote 13 will not affect individual persons because the only result will be that a different equation will be used to calculate hydrogen sulfide concentrations. The proposed revisions to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.3b will not affect individual persons because these were housekeeping changes.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The revision to Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.1 is anticipated to save $350,000 in capital costs for a permittee on Blue Creek by avoiding the need to install a treatment system to remove total dissolved solids from the effluent to meet the currently applicable statewide criteria of 1,200 mg/l. The revision to gross alpha in Section R317-2-14, Table 2.14.2 will not affect compliance costs because currently, no permitted discharges have effluent limits based on these criteria. The other revisions will not affect compliance costs because the changes will not change the ultimate outcome where site-specific standards are promulgated when ambient background concentrations exceed the statewide criteria. The revisions will result in eliminating unnecessary intermediate steps that affect state resources but not for individual persons.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The changes to the Blue Creek total dissolved solids criterion will appropriately decrease costs on affected businesses. Under the existing rule, affected businesses are required to remove total dissolved solids from their effluent to concentrations that are lower than naturally occur in the creek. The other revisions are not anticipated to affect business costs.

Amanda Smith, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Environmental Quality
Water QualityRoom DEQ, Third Floor
195 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Judy Etherington at the above address, by phone at 801-536-4344, by FAX at 801-536-4301, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/06/2015

Interested persons may attend a public hearing regarding this rule:

• 06/29/2015 06:00 PM, Brigham City Library, 26 E. Forest St, Conference Room, Brigham City, UT

This rule may become effective on:

07/15/2015

Authorized by:

Walter Baker, Director

RULE TEXT

R317. Environmental Quality, Water Quality.

R317-2. Standards of Quality for Waters of the State.

 

. . . . . . .

 

R317-2-7. Water Quality Standards.

7.1 Application of Standards

a.  The numeric criteria listed in R317-2-14 shall apply to each of the classes assigned to waters of the State as specified in R317-2-6. It shall be unlawful and a violation of these rules for any person to discharge or place any wastes or other substances in such manner as may interfere with designated uses protected by assigned classes or to cause any of the applicable standards to be violated, except as provided in R317-1-3.1.

b.  At a minimum, assessment of the beneficial use support for waters of the state will be conducted biennially and available for a 30-day period of public comment and review. Monitoring locations and target indicators of water quality standards shall be prioritized and published yearly. For water quality assessment purposes, up to 10 percent of the representative samples may exceed the minimum or maximum criteria for dissolved oxygen, pH, E. coli, total dissolved solids, and temperature, including situations where such criteria have been adopted on a site-specific basis.

c.  Site-specific standards may be adopted by rulemaking where biomonitoring data, bioassays, or other scientific analyses indicate that the statewide criterion is over or under protective of the designated uses or where natural or un-alterable conditions or other factors as defined in 40 CFR 131.10(g) prevent the attainment of the statewide criteria as prescribed in Subsections R317-2-7.2, and R317-2-7.3, and Section R317-2-14. When it is determined that natural background level of a pollutant is less stringent than the otherwise applicable criterion, the water quality criterion will be equal to the natural background concentration.

7.2 Narrative Standards

It shall be unlawful, and a violation of these rules, for any person to discharge or place any waste or other substance in such a way as will be or may become offensive such as unnatural deposits, floating debris, oil, scum or other nuisances such as color, odor or taste; or cause conditions which produce undesirable aquatic life or which produce objectionable tastes in edible aquatic organisms; or result in concentrations or combinations of substances which produce undesirable physiological responses in desirable resident fish, or other desirable aquatic life, or undesirable human health effects, as determined by bioassay or other tests performed in accordance with standard procedures; or determined by biological assessments in Subsection R317-2-7.3.

7.3 Biological Water Quality Assessment and Criteria

Waters of the State shall be free from human-induced stressors which will degrade the beneficial uses as prescribed by the biological assessment processes and biological criteria set forth below:

a. Quantitative biological assessments may be used to assess whether the purposes and designated uses identified in R317-2-6 are supported.

b. The results of the quantitative biological assessments may be used for purposes of water quality assessment, including, but not limited to, those assessments required by 303(d) and 305(b) of the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(d) and 1315(b)).

c. Quantitative biological assessments shall use documented methods that have been subject to technical review and produce consistent, objective and repeatable results that account for methodological uncertainty and natural environmental variability.

d. If biological assessments reveal a biologically degraded water body, specific pollutants responsible for the degradation will not be formally published (i.e., Biennial Integrated Report, TMDL) until a thorough evaluation of potential causes, including nonchemical stressors (e.g., habitat degradation or hydrological modification or criteria described in 40 CFR 131.10 (g)(1 - 6) as defined by the Use Attainability Analysis process), has been conducted.

 

. . . . . . .

 

R317-2-14. Numeric Criteria.

 

TABLE 2.14.1
NUMERIC CRITERIA FOR DOMESTIC,
RECREATION, AND AGRICULTURAL USES

  Parameter           Domestic       Recreation and    Agri-                      Source          Aesthetics      culture                            1C        2A     2B         4 BACTERIOLOGICAL (30-DAY GEOMETRIC MEAN) (NO.)/100 ML)  (7)  E. coli                   206       126    206  MAXIMUM      (NO.)/100 ML)  (7) E. coli                   668       409    668  PHYSICAL       pH (RANGE)            6.5-9.0   6.5-9.0  6.5-9.0  6.5-9.0      Turbidity Increase        (NTU)                         10       10       METALS  (DISSOLVED, MAXIMUM      MG/L) (2)      Arsenic               0.01                        0.1      Barium                1.0      Beryllium             <0.004      Cadmium               0.01                        0.01      Chromium              0.05                        0.10      Copper                                            0.2      Lead                  0.015                       0.1      Mercury               0.002      Selenium              0.05                        0.05      Silver                0.05       INORGANICS      (MAXIMUM MG/L)      Bromate               0.01      Boron                                             0.75      Chlorite              <1.0      Fluoride (3)          1.4-2.4      Nitrates as N         10      Total Dissolved        Solids (4)                                      1200                            RADIOLOGICAL      (MAXIMUM pCi/L)      Gross Alpha           15                          15      Gross Beta            4 mrem/yr     Radium 226, 228        (Combined)          5      Strontium 90          8      Tritium               20000      Uranium               30       ORGANICS      (MAXIMUM UG/L)       Chlorophenoxy        Herbicides      2,4-D                 70      2,4,5-TP              10     Methoxychlor          40       POLLUTION      INDICATORS (5)       BOD (MG/L)                      5        5       5      Nitrate as N (MG/L)             4        4      Total Phosphorus as P        (MG/L)(6)                     0.05     0.05       FOOTNOTES:      (1)  Reserved      (2)  The dissolved metals method involves filtration of the sample in the field, acidification of the sample in the field, no digestion process in the laboratory, and analysis by approved laboratory methods for the required detection levels.      (3)  Maximum concentration varies according to the daily maximum mean air temperature.       TEMP (C)       MG/L       12.0           2.4      12.1-14.6      2.2      14.7-17.6      2.0      17.7-21.4      1.8      21.5-26.2      1.6      26.3-32.5      1.4       (4)  SITE SPECIFIC STANDARDS FOR TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)  Blue Creek and tributaries, Box Elder County, from [Gunnison]Bear River Bay,[ ]Great Salt Lake[   ] to Blue Creek Reservoir: [maximum 6,300 mg/l and an] [average of 3,900 mg/l]March through October daily maximum 7,200 mg/l and an average of 3,800 mg/l; November through February daily maximum 7,500 mg/l and an average of 4,700 mg/l. Assessments will be based on TDS concentrations measured at the location of STORET 4960740. At least 10 samples are required to assess compliance with the average criterion. If the sample average for samples collected from March through October is equal to or less than 4,100 mg/l and the sample average for samples collected from November through February is equal to or less than 5,300 mg/l, the average criteria are met. Alternative scientifically defensible assessment methods may be applied for assessing the average criteria.  Blue Creek Reservoir and tributaries, Box Elder County, maximum 2,200 mg/l  Castle Creek from confluence with the Colorado River to Seventh Day Adventist Diversion: 1,800 mg/l;  Cottonwood Creek from the confluence with Huntington Creek to I-57: 3,500 mg/l;  Ferron Creek from the confluence with San Rafael River to Highway 10: 3,500 mg/l;  Huntington Creek and tributaries from the confluence with Cottonwood Creek to U-10: 4,800 mg/l;  Ivie Creek and its tributaries from the confluence with Muddy Creek to the confluence with Quitchupah Creek: 3,800 mg/l provided that total sulfate not exceed 2,000 mg/l to protect the livestock watering agricultural existing use;  Ivie Creek and its tributaries from the confluence with Quitchupah Creek to U10: 2,600 mg/l;  Lost Creek from the confluence with Sevier River to U.S. Forest Service Boundary: 4,600 mg/l;  Muddy Creek and tributaries from the confluence with Ivie Creek toU-10: 2,600 mg/l;  Muddy Creek from confluence with Fremont River to confluence with Ivie Creek: 5,800 mg/l;  North Creek from the confluence with Virgin River to headwaters: 2,035 mg/l;  Onion Creek from the confluence with Colorado River to road crossing above Stinking Springs: 3000 mg/l;  Brine Creek-Petersen Creek, from the confluence with the Sevier River to U-119 Crossing: 9,700 mg/l;  Price River and tributaries from confluence with Green River to confluence with Soldier Creek: 3,000 mg/l;  Price River and tributaries from the confluence with Soldier Creek to Carbon Canal Diversion: 1,700 mg/l  Quitchupah Creek from the confluence with Ivie Creek to U-10: 3,800 mg/l provided that total sulfate not exceed 2,000 mg/l to protect the livestock watering agricultural existing use;  Rock Canyon Creek from the confluence with Cottonwood Creek to headwaters: 3,500 mg/l;  San Pitch River from below Gunnison Reservoir to the Sevier River: 2,400 mg/l;  San Rafael River from the confluence with the Green River to Buckhorn Crossing: 4,100 mg/l;  San Rafael River from the Buckhorn Crossing to the confluence with Huntington Creek and Cottonwood Creek: 3,500 mg/l;  Sevier River between Gunnison Bend Reservoir and DMAD Reservoir: 1,725 mg/l;  Sevier River from Gunnison Bend Reservoir to Clear Lake: 3,370 mg/l;  South Fork Spring Creek from confluence with Pelican Pond Slough Stream to US 89                 1,450 mg/l (Apr.-Sept.)                                        1,950 mg/l (Oct.-March)  Virgin River from the Utah/Arizona border to Pah Tempe Springs: 2,360 mg/l       (5)  Investigations should be conducted to develop more information where these pollution indicator levels are exceeded.      (6)  Total Phosphorus as P (mg/l) indicator for lakes and reservoirs shall be 0.025.      (7) Where the criteria are exceeded and there is a reasonable basis for concluding that the indicator bacteria E. coli are primarily from natural sources (wildlife), e.g., in National Wildlife Refuges and State Waterfowl Management Areas, the criteria may be considered attained provided the density attributable to non-wildlife sources is less than the criteria. Exceedences of E. coli from nonhuman nonpoint sources will generally be addressed through appropriate Federal, State, and local nonpoint source programs.      Measurement of E. coli using the "Quanti-Tray 2000" procedure is approved as a field analysis. Other EPA approved methods may also be used.      For water quality assessment purposes, up to 10% of representative samples may exceed the 668 per 100 ml criterion (for 1C and 2B waters) and 409 per 100 ml (for 2A waters). For small datasets, where exceedences of these criteria are observed, follow-up ambient monitoring should be conducted to better characterize water quality.

 

 

TABLE 2.14.2
NUMERIC CRITERIA FOR AQUATIC WILDLIFE(8)

       Parameter              Aquatic Wildlife                             3A       3B       3C       3D        5      PHYSICAL       Total Dissolved        Gases                (1)      (1)       Minimum Dissolved Oxygen        (MG/L) (2)(2a)        30 Day Average       6.5      5.5      5.0      5.0        7 Day Average        9.5/5.0  6.0/4.0         Minimum              8.0/4.0  5.0/3.0  3.0      3.0       Max. Temperature(C)(3) 20       27       27       Max. Temperature        Change (C)(3)        2        4        4       pH (Range)(2a)      6.5-9.0  6.5-9.0  6.5-9.0  6.5-9.0       Turbidity Increase        (NTU)                10       10       15       15      METALS (4)      (DISSOLVED,      UG/L)(5)      Aluminum      4 Day Average (6)      87       87       87       87      1 Hour Average         750      750      750      750       Arsenic (Trivalent)      4 Day Average          150      150      150      150      1 Hour Average         340      340      340      340       Cadmium (7)      4 Day Average          0.25    0.25      0.25     0.25      1 Hour Average         2.0     2.0       2.0      2.0      Chromium        (Hexavalent)      4 Day Average          11       11       11       11      1 Hour Average         16       16       16       16      Chromium        (Trivalent) (7)      4 Day Average          74       74       74       74      1 Hour Average         570      570      570      570       Copper (7)      4 Day Average          9        9        9        9      1 Hour Average         13       13       13       13       Cyanide (Free)      4 Day Average          5.2      5.2      5.2      1 Hour Average         22       22       22       22      Iron (Maximum)         1000     1000     1000     1000       Lead (7)      4 Day Average          2.5      2.5      2.5      2.5      1 Hour Average         65       65       65       65       Mercury      4 Day Average          0.012    0.012    0.012    0.012       Nickel (7)      4 Day Average          52       52       52       52      1 Hour Average         468      468      468      468       Selenium      4 Day Average          4.6      4.6      4.6      4.6      1 Hour Average         18.4     18.4     18.4     18.4       Selenium (14)      Gilbert Bay (Class 5A)      Great Salt Lake      Geometric Mean over      Nesting Season (mg/kg dry wt)                            12.5       Silver      1 Hour Average (7)     1.6      1.6      1.6      1.6       Tributyltin      4 Day Average          0.072    0.072    0.072    0.072      1 Hour Average         0.46     0.46     0.46     0.46       Zinc (7)      4 Day Average          120      120      120      120      1 Hour Average         120      120      120      120       INORGANICS      (MG/L) (4)      Total Ammonia as N (9)      30 Day Average         (9a)     (9a)     (9a)     (9a)      1 Hour Average         (9b)     (9b)     (9b)     (9b)       Chlorine (Total        Residual)      4 Day Average          0.011    0.011    0.011    0.011      1 Hour Average         0.019    0.019    0.019    0.019       Hydrogen Sulfide [(13)]      (Undissociated,        Max. UG/L)           2.0      2.0      2.0      2.0      Phenol(Maximum)       0.01      0.01     0.01    0.01      RADIOLOGICAL     (MAXIMUM pCi/L)  [     Gross Alpha (10)       15       15       15       15  ]     ORGANICS (UG/L) (4)      Acrolein      4 Day Average          3.0      3.0      3.0      3.0      1 Hour Average         3.0      3.0      3.0      3.0       Aldrin      1 Hour Average         1.5      1.5      1.5      1.5      Chlordane      4 Day Average          0.0043   0.0043   0.0043   0.0043      1 Hour Average         1.2      1.2      1.2      1.2      Chlorpyrifos      4 Day Average          0.041    0.041    0.041    0.041      1 Hour Average         0.083    0.083    0.083    0.083       4,4' -DDT      4 Day Average          0.0010   0.0010   0.0010   0.0010      1 Hour Average         0.55     0.55     0.55     0.55       Diazinon      4 Day Average          0.17     0.17     0.17     0.17      1 Hour Average         0.17     0.17     0.17     0.17       Dieldrin      4 Day Average          0.056    0.056    0.056    0.056      1 Hour Average         0.24     0.24     0.24     0.24       Alpha-Endosulfan      4 Day Average          0.056    0.056    0.056    0.056      1 Hour Average         0.11     0.11     0.11     0.11       beta-Endosulfan      4 Day Average          0.056    0.056    0.056    0.056      1 Day Average          0.11     0.11     0.11     0.11       Endrin      4 Day Average          0.036    0.036    0.036    0.036      1 Hour Average         0.086    0.086    0.086    0.086       Heptachlor      4 Day Average          0.0038   0.0038   0.0038   0.0038      1 Hour Average         0.26     0.26     0.26     0.26       Heptachlor epoxide      4 Day Average          0.0038   0.0038   0.0038   0.0038      1 Hour Average         0.26     0.26     0.26     0.26       Hexachlorocyclohexane        (Lindane)      4 Day Average          0.08     0.08     0.08     0.08      1 Hour Average         1.0      1.0      1.0      1.0       Methoxychlor        (Maximum)            0.03     0.03     0.03     0.03      Mirex (Maximum)        0.001    0.001    0.001    0.001       Nonylphenol      4 Day Average          6.6      6.6      6.6      6.6      1 Hour Average         28.0     28.0     28.0     28.0       Parathion      4 Day Average          0.013    0.013    0.013    0.013      1 Hour Average         0.066    0.066    0.066    0.066       PCB's      4 Day Average          0.014    0.014    0.014    0.014       Pentachlorophenol (11)      4 Day Average          15       15       15       15      1 Hour Average         19       19       19       19       Toxaphene      4 Day Average          0.0002   0.0002   0.0002   0.0002      1 Hour Average         0.73     0.73     0.73     0.73       POLLUTION      INDICATORS ([11]10)       Gross Alpha (pCi/L)    15       15       15       15      Gross Beta (pCi/L)     50       50       50       50      BOD (MG/L)             5        5        5        5      Nitrate as N (MG/L)    4        4        4      Total Phosphorus as P(MG/L) (12)                             0.05     0.05  FOOTNOTES:     (1)  Not to exceed 110% of saturation.     (2)  These limits are not applicable to lower water levels in deep impoundments.  First number in column is for when early life stages are present, second number is for when all other life stages present.     (2a) These criteria are not applicable to Great Salt Lake impounded wetlands.  Surface water in these wetlands shall be protected from changes in pH and dissolved oxygen that create significant adverse impacts to the existing beneficial uses. To ensure protection of uses, the Director shall develop reasonable protocols and guidelines that quantify the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of these waters. These protocols and guidelines will include input from local governments, the regulated community, and the general public.  The Director will inform the Water Quality Board of any protocols or guidelines that are developed.     (3) Site Specific Standards for Temperature Ken's Lake: From June 1st - September 20th, 27 degrees C.     (4)  Where criteria are listed as 4-day average and 1-hour average concentrations, these concentrations should not be exceeded more often than once every three years on the average.     (5)  The dissolved metals method involves filtration of the sample in the field, acidification of the sample in the field, no digestion process in the laboratory, and analysis by EPA approved laboratory methods for the required detection levels.     (6)  The criterion for aluminum will be implemented as follows:     Where the pH is equal to or greater than 7.0 and the hardness is equal to or greater than 50 ppm as CaC03 in the receiving water after mixing, the 87 ug/1 chronic criterion (expressed as total recoverable) will not apply, and aluminum will be regulated based on compliance with the 750 ug/1 acute aluminum criterion (expressed as total recoverable).     (7)  Hardness dependent criteria.  100 mg/l used. Conversion factors for ratio of total recoverable metals to dissolved metals must also be applied.   In waters with a hardness greater than 400 mg/l as CaC03, calculations will assume a hardness of 400 mg/l as CaC03.  See Table 2.14.3 for complete equations for hardness and conversion factors.     (8)  Reserved     (9)  The following equations are used to calculate Ammonia criteria concentrations:     (9a)  The thirty-day average concentration of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg/l as N) does not exceed, more than once every three years on the average, the chronic criterion calculated using the following equations.     Fish Early Life Stages are Present:     mg/l as N (Chronic) = ((0.0577/(1+107.688-pH)) + (2.487/(1+ 10pH-7.688)))  * MIN (2.85, 1.45*100.028*(25-T) )     Fish Early Life Stages are Absent:     mg/1 as N (Chronic) = ((0.0577/(1+107.688-pH)) + (2.487/ (1+10pH-7.688)))   * 1.45*100.028* (25-MAX(T,7)))     (9b) The one-hour average concentration of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg/l as N) does not exceed, more than once every three years on the average the acute criterion calculated using the following equations.     Class 3A:     mg/l as N (Acute) = (0.275/(1+107.204-pH)) + (39.0/1+10pH-7.204))     Class 3B, 3C, 3D:     mg/l as N (Acute) = 0.411/(1+107.204-pH)) + (58.4/(1+10pH-7.204))     In addition, the highest four-day average within the 30-day period should not exceed 2.5 times the chronic criterion. The "Fish Early Life Stages are Present" 30-day average total ammonia criterion will be applied by default unless it is determined by the Director, on a site-specific basis, that it is appropriate to apply the "Fish Early Life Stages are Absent" 30-day average criterion for all or some portion of the year.  At a minimum, the "Fish Early Life Stages are Present" criterion will apply from the beginning of spawning through the end of the early life stages.  Early life stages include the pre-hatch embryonic stage, the post-hatch free embryo or yolk-sac fry stage, and the larval stage for the species of fish expected to occur at the site.  The Director will consult with the Division of Wildlife Resources in making such determinations.  The Division will maintain information regarding the waterbodies and time periods where application of the "Early Life Stages are Absent" criterion is determined to be appropriate.     (10)  Investigation should be conducted to develop more information where these levels are exceeded.     (11)  pH dependent criteria.  pH 7.8 used in table.  See Table 2.14.4 for equation.     (12)  Total Phosphorus as P (mg/l) as a pollution indicator for lakes and reservoirs shall be 0.025.     (13)  Reserved[Formula to convert dissolved sulfide to un-disassociated hydrogen sulfide is:  H2S = Dissolved Sulfide * e((-1.92 + pH) + 12.05)]     (14)  The selenium water quality standard of 12.5 (mg/kg dry weight) for Gilbert Bay is a tissue based standard using the complete egg/embryo of aquatic dependent birds using Gilbert Bay based upon a minimum of five samples over the nesting season. Assessment procedures are incorporated as a part of this standard as follows:  Egg Concentration Triggers: DWQ Responses  Below 5.0 mg/kg: Routine monitoring with sufficient intensity to determine if selenium concentrations within the Great Salt Lake ecosystem are increasing.  5.0 mg/kg: Increased monitoring to address data gaps, loadings, and areas of uncertainty identified from initial Great Salt Lake selenium studies.  6.4 mg/kg: Initiation of a Level II Antidegradation review by the State for all discharge permit renewals or new discharge permits to Great Salt Lake. The Level II Antidegradation review may include an analysis of loading reductions.  9.8 mg/kg: Initiation of preliminary TMDL studies to evaluate selenium loading sources.  12.5 mg/kg and above: Declare impairment. Formalize and implement TMDL.  Antidegradation Level II Review procedures associated with this standard are referenced at R317-2-3.5.C.

 

 

. . . . . . .

 

TABLE 2.14.3b

EQUATIONS TO CONVERT TOTAL RECOVERABLE METALS STANDARD
WITH HARDNESS (1) DEPENDENCE TO DISSOLVED METALS STANDARD
BY APPLICATION OF A CONVERSION FACTOR (CF).

  Parameter    1-Hour Average (Acute)              Concentration (UG/L)  CADMIUM       CF * e (1.0166(ln(hardness))-3.924)               CF = 1.136672 - ln(hardness)(0.041838)  CHROMIUM (III)  CF *  e(0.8190(ln(hardness)) +3.7256)                      CF = 0.316  COPPER        CF * e(0.9422(ln(hardness))- 1.700)                    CF = 0.960  LEAD          CF * e(1.273(ln(hardness))-1.460)                    CF = 1.46203 - ln(hardness)(0.145712)  NICKEL        CF * e(0.8460(ln(hardness)) +2.255)                    CF= 0.998  SILVER        CF * e(1.72(ln(hardness))- 6.59)                    CF = 0.85  ZINC          CF * e(0.8473(ln(hardness)) +0.884)                    CF = 0.978      FOOTNOTE:      (1)  Hardness as mg/l CaCO3.

 

 

. . . . . . .

 

KEY: water pollution, water quality standards

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 2, 2014]2015

Notice of Continuation: October 2, 2012

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-5, FWPCA 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251, 1311-1317, 1329

 

---