Quality criteria for water 1986 (Gold Book)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Section 304(a) (1) of the Clean Water Act 33 U.S.C. Section 304(a)(l) of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1314(a) (1) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pub1 ish and periodically update ambient water qua1 ity criteria. These criteria are to accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge (a) on the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on health and welfare including, but not limited to, plankton, fish shellfish, wildlife, plant life, shorelines, beaches, aesthetics, and recreation which may be expected from the presence of pollutants in any body of water including ground water; (b) on the concentration and dispersal of pollutants, or their byproducts, through biological, physical, and chemical processes; and (c) on the effects of pollutants on biological community diversity, productivity, and stability, including information on the factors affecting rates of eutrophication and organic and inorganic sedimentation for varying types of receiving waters. These criteria are not rules and they do not have regulatory impact. Rather, these criteria present scientific data and guidance of the environmental effects of pollutants which can be useful to derive regulatory requirements based on considerations of water quality impacts. When additional data has become available, these summaries have been updated to reflect the latest Agency recommendations on acceptable limits for aquatic life and human health protection.

Quality criteria for water 1986 (Gold Book)

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