Water quality criteria and standards

The terms water quality criteria and water quahty standards are often used interchangeably. Indeed, the dictionary definition implies a similarity of meaning. However, it is useful in this field to distinguish between standards , as implying statutorily imposed limits, and criteria which imply desirable quality characteristics related to a particular water usage and based on scientific evidence without reference to political or legislative issues [1]. On this basis standards are clearly derived from criteria . 

---

The discharge of metal-laden effluents is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) which sets water quality criteria and standards for... 

Wells, R. J. (1978), Water Quality Criteria and Standards, Water Pollut. Control, 77, 25-30. 

U.S. EPA role in establishing water quality criteria and standards Water criteria promulgated under the CWA ( 304(a)(1) Pb water quality values are expressed as acute or chronic criteria for freshwater or salt water for freshwater, 65 and 2.5 p.g/1 for salt water, 210 and 8.1 pg/l No human health criteria for lead in fish or fish + water consumption... 

Industry criticized this approach on a number of grounds (6). Water quality criteria and national ambient air quality standards were never designed nor can they be sensibly used to set standards for individual releases. Water quality standards and Federal drinking water standards, although more appropriate for surface water or at-the-tap consideration, have been set for very few of the hazardous compounds which may be encountered at an old dump-site. 

Devetopment of Water Quality Criteria and Its Relationship to Water Quality Standards... 

Allen HE (1993) The significance of trace metal speciation for water, sediment and soil quality criteria and standards. The Science of the Total Environment, Supplement 1993, Elsevier, 23-45... 

EPA. 1986f. Ambient water quality criteria for Parathion - 1986. Washington, DC U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water Regulations and Standards, Criteria and Standards Division. EPA440/5-86-007. 

Environment Protection Agency (EPA) (1980). Ambient Water Quality for Mercury. US EPA, Criteria and Standards division (EPA-600/479-049). 

EPA. 1980a. Ambient Water Quality Criteria Document for Trichloroethylene. Prepared by the Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Cincinnati, OH for the Office of Water Regulations and Standards, Washington, DC. NTIS No. PB81-117871. 

SDSI is being developed to recognize companies, facilities, and others who voluntarily phase out or commit to phasing out the manufacture or use of NPE surfactants. NPEs are used in detergents in cleaning and other products. Both NPEs and their breakdown products, such as nonylphenol, can harm aquatic life. The Safer Detergents Initiative complements EPA s Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Nonylphenol which are designed to protect aquatic hfe in both fresh and saltwater and can form the basis for state and tribal water quahty standards. 

Water Quality Standards. The first step in water quality standards is stream use classification. The individual states must decide what the uses of their water will be. The four categories, as defined by the EPA, are Class A, primary water contact recreation Class B, propagation of desirable aquatic life Class C, public water supplies prior to treatment and Class D, agricultural and industrial uses. States may vary the definition of these classes to meet their own needs. The second step is to develop water-quality criteria. This is the specific concentration of a pollutant that is allowable for the designated use. 

EPA. 1982. Errata for Ambient Water Quality Criteria Documents. February 23, 1982, update. Washington, D.C. Office of Water Regulations and Standards, U.S Environmental Protection Agency. 

Technical Guidance Document and Water Framework Directive approaches EU member state, North American, and other international approaches) and the way in which they are implemented (e.g., mandatory pass or fail probabilistic, e.g., 95th percentiles or tiered risk assessment frameworks). Soil and water standards were considered, as were values for the protection of human health and the natural environment. The focus was on European regulatory frameworks, although expert input was sought from other jurisdictions internationally. Chemical standards for aquatic (water and sediment) and terrestrial (soil and groundwater) systems were the main focus for the meeting. This workshop built on, and included some participants from, a 1998 SETAC workshop Re-evaluation of the State of the Science for Water-Quality Criteria Development (Reiley et al. 2003). 

---