The numeric levels for parameters listed in Tables I, II, III shall be considered and applied as appropriate by the Commission in establishing site-specific numeric standards, in accordance with section 31.7.
For the purposes of integrating these parameters into NPDES discharge permits, the duration of the averaging period for the numeric level is designated in the tables. Chronic levels and 30-day levels are to be averaged as defined in section 31.5(7). Acute levels and 1-day levels are to be averaged as defined in section 31.5(2).
Certain toxic metals for Aquatic Life have different numeric levels for different levels of water hardness. Water hardness is being used here as an indication of differences in the complexing capacity of natural waters and the corresponding variation of metal toxicity. Other factors such as organic and inorganic ligands, pH, and other factors affecting the complexing capacity of the waters may be considered in setting site-specific numeric standards in accordance with section 31.7. Metals listed in Table III for aquatic life uses are stated in the dissolved form unless otherwise indicated.
Various testing procedures to determine that numeric values for water quality parameters may be appropriate to present to the Water Quality Control Commission at stream classification hearings. (See section 31.6(3)). These include:
Other procedures may be deemed appropriate by either the Water Quality Control Commission and/or the Water Quality Control Division.
Capital letters following levels in the tables indicate the sources of the level; they are referenced below.
TABLE I - PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
TABLE I PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS | ||||||||
Parameter | Recreation | Aquatic Life | Agriculture | Domestic Water Supply | ||||
CLASS E (Existing Primary Contact) and CLASS U (Undetermined Use) | CLASS P (Potential Primary Contact Use) | CLASS N (Not Primary Contact Use) | CLASS 1 COLD WATER BIOTA | CLASS 1 WARM WATER BIOTA | CLASS 2 | |||
PHYSICAL | ||||||||
D.O. (mg/L)(1)(9) | 3.0(A) | 3.0(A) | 3.0(A) | 6.0(2)(G) 7.0 (spawning) | 5.0(2)(G) | 5.0(A) | 3.0(A) | 3.0(A) |
pH (Std. Units)(3) | 6.5-9.0(B,M) | 6.5-9.0(B,M) | 6.5-9.0(B,M) | 6.5-9.0(A) | 6.5-9.0(A) | 6.5-9.0(A) | 5.0-9.0(A) | |
Suspended Solids(4) | ||||||||
Temperature (°C)(5) | Rivers & Streams: Tier Ia,g: June-Sept = 17.0 (ch), 21.7 (ac) Oct -May = 9.0 (ch), 13.0 (ac) Tier IIb,g: Apr-Oct = 18.3 (ch), 24.3 (ac) Nov-Mar = 9.0 (ch), 13.0 (ac) Lakes & Resh: Apr-Dec = 17.0 (ch), 21.2 (ac) Jan-Mar = 9.0 (ch), 13.0 (ac) Large Lakes & Resc,h: Apr-Dec = 18.3 (ch), 24.2 (ac) Jan-Mar = 9.0 (ch), 13.0 (ac) | Rivers & Streams: Tier Id: Mar-Nov = 24.2 (ch), 29.0 (ac) Dec-Feb = 12.1 (ch), 24.6 (ac) Tier IIe: Mar-Nov = 27.5 (ch), 28.6 (ac) Dec-Feb = 13.8 (ch), 25.2 (ac) Tier IIIf: Mar-Nov = 28.7 (ch), 31.8 (ac) Dec-Feb = 14.3 (ch), 24.9 (ac) Lakes & Res: Apr-Dec = 26.2 (ch), 29.3 (ac) Jan-Mar = 13.1 (ch), 24.1 (ac) | Same as Class 1 | |||||
BIOLOGICAL: | ||||||||
E. coli per 100 ml | 126(7) | 205(7) | 630(7) | 630 | ||||
Note: Capital letters In parentheses refer to references listed in section 31.16; numbers in parentheses refer to Table I footnotes. | ||||||||
Temperature Definitions a Cold Stream Tier I temperature criteria apply where cutthroat trout and brook trout are expected to occur. b Cold Stream Tier II temperature criteria apply where cold-water aquatic species, excluding cutthroat trout or brook trout, are expected to occur. c Large Cold Lakes temperature criteria apply to lakes and reservoirs with a surface area equal to or greater than 100 acres surface area. d Warm Stream Tier I temperature criteria apply where common shiner, johnny darter, or orangethroat darter, or stonecat are expected to occur. e Warm Stream Tier II temperature criteria apply where brook stickleback, central stoneroller, creek chub, finescale dace, longnose dace, mountain sucker, northern redbelly dace, razorback sucker, or white sucker are expected occur, and none of the more thermally sensitive species in Tier I are expected to occur. f Warm Stream Tier III temperature criteria apply where warm-water aquatic species are expected to occur, and none of the more thermally sensitive species in Tiers I and II are expected to occur. g Mountain whitefish-based summer temperature criteria [16.9 (ch), 21.2 (ac)] apply when and where spawning and sensitive early life stages of this species are known to occur. h Lake trout-based summer temperature criteria [16.6 (ch), 22.4 (ac)] apply where appropriate and necessary to protect lake trout from thermal impacts. |
Table I - Footnotes
TABLE II - INORGANIC PARAMETERS
TABLE II INORGANIC PARAMETERS | ||||||||
Parameter | Aquatic Life | Agriculture | Domestic Water Supply | |||||
CLASS 1 COLD WATER BIOTA | CLASS 1 WARM WATER BIOTA | CLASS 2 | ||||||
Ammonia (mg/L as N) Total | chronic = elsp or elsa(1) acute = sp(1)(N) | chronic = Apr 1-Aug 31 = elsp(1) Sept 1-Mar 29 = elsa(1) acute = sa(1)(N) | Class 2 Cold/Warm have the same standards as Class 1 Cold/Warm(N) | |||||
Total residual Chlorine (mg/L) | 0.019(L) (acute) | 0.011(L) (chronic) | 0.019(L) (acute) | 0.011(L) (chronic) | 0.019(L) (acute) | 0.011(L) (chronic) | ||
Cyanide - Free (mg/L) | 0.005(H) (acute) | 0.005(H) (acute) | 0.005(H) (acute) | 0.2(G) (acute) | 0.2(B,D,M) (acute) | |||
Fluoride(6) (mg/L) | 2.0 (E) (acute) | |||||||
Nitrate (mg/L as N) | 100(2)(B) (acute) | 10(4)(K) (acute) | ||||||
Nitrite (mg/L as N) | TO BE ESTABLISHED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS(3) | A CASE BY CASE BASIS(3) | 10(2)(B) (acute) | 1.0(2)(4)(K) (acute) | ||||
Sulfide as H2S (mg/L) | 0.002 undissociated(A) (chronic) | 0.002 undissociated(A) (chronic) | 0.002 undissociated(A) (chronic) | 0.05(F) (chronic) | ||||
Boron (mg/L) | 0.75(A,B) (chronic) | |||||||
Chloride (mg/L) | 250(F) (chronic) | |||||||
Sulfate, dissolved(7) (mg/L) | 250(F) (chronic) | |||||||
Asbestos(6) fibers/L | 7,000,000 (5) (chronic) | |||||||
Note: Capital letters in parentheses refer to references listed in 31.16(3); numbers in parentheses refer to Table II footnotes. |
Table II - Footnotes
Acute= 0.10 (0.59 * [Cl-]+3.90) mg/L NO2-N Chronic= 0.10 (0.29 * [Cl-]+0.53) mg/L NO2-N
[Cl-] = Chloride ion concentration; upper limit for Cl- = 40 mg/L Salmonids and other sensitive fish species* absent: Acute= 0.20 (2.00 * [Cl-]+0.73) mg/L NO2-N Chronic=0.10 (2.00 *[Cl-]+0.73) mg/L NO2-N
[Cl-] = Chloride ion concentration; upper limit for Cl- = 22 mg/L
*Sensitive fish species include salmonids, channel catfish, logperch and brook stickleback. Either total or dissolved chloride data may be used in these equations.
TABLE III - METAL PARAMETERS
TABLE III METAL PARAMETERS (concentration in µg/L) | ||||||
Metal(1) | Aquatic Life(1)(3)(4)(J) | Agriculture(2) | Domestic Water Supply(2) | Water + Fish(7) | Fish Ingestion(10) | |
ACUTE | CHRONIC | CHRONIC | CHRONIC | CHRONIC | ||
Aluminum | e(1.3695*In(hardness)+1.8308) (total recoverable) | 87 or e(1.3695*In(hardness)-0.1158) (total recoverable)(11) | --- | --- | ||
Antimony(18) | 6.0 (chronic) | 5.6 | 640 | |||
Arsenic | 340 | 150 | 100(A) | 0.02 - 10(13) (chronic) | 0.02 | 7.6 |
Barium(18) | 1,000(E) (acute) 490 (chronic) | --- | --- | |||
Beryllium(18) | 100(A,B) | 4.0 (chronic) | --- | --- | ||
Cadmium | Warm(17) = (1.136672-(ln(hardness)* 0.041838))*e(0.9789*ln(hardness)-3.443) Cold(17) = (1.136672-(ln(hardness)* 0.041838))*e(0.9789*ln(hardness)-3.866) | (1.101672-(ln(hardness)*0.041838))* e(0.7977*ln(hardness)-3.909) | 10(B) | 5.0(E) (acute) | --- | --- |
Chromium III(5) | e(0.819*ln(hardness)+2.5736) | e(0.819*ln(hardness)+0.5340) | 100(B) | 50(E) (acute) | --- | --- |
Chromium VI(5) | 16 | 11 | 100(B) | 50(E) (acute) | 100 | --- |
Copper | e(0.9422*ln(hardness)-1.7408) | e(0.8545*ln(hardness)-1.7428) | 200(B) | 1,000(F) (chronic) | 1,300 | --- |
Iron | 1,000 (total recoverable)(A,C) | 300 (dissolved)(F) (chronic) | --- | --- | ||
Lead | (1.46203-(ln(hardness)* 0.145712))*e(1.273*ln(hardness)-1.46) | (1.46203-(ln(hardness)* 0.145712))*e(1.273*ln(hardness)-4.705) | 100(B) | 50(E) (acute) | - | --- |
Manganese | e(0.3331*ln(hardness)+6.4676) | e(0.3331*ln(hardness)+5.8743) | 200(B)(12) | 50 (dissolved)(F) (chronic) | - | --- |
Mercury | FRV(fish)(6) = 0.01 (total recoverable) | 2.0(E) (acute) | - | --- | ||
Molybdenum | 300(O)(15) | 530(P) (chronic) | ||||
Nickel | e(0.846*ln(hardness)+2.253) | e(0.846*ln(hardness)+0.0554) | 200(B) | 100(E) (chronic) | 610 | 4,600 |
Selenium(9) | 18.4 | 4.6 | 20(B,D) | 50(E) (chronic) | 170 | 4,200 |
Silver | 0.5*e(1.72*ln(hardness)-6.52) | e(1.72*ln(hardness)-9.06) Trout(19) = e(1.72*ln(hardness)-10.51) | 100(F) (acute) | - | --- | |
Thallium(18) | 15(C) | 0.5 (chronic) | 0.24 | 0.47 | ||
Uranium(16) | e(1.1021*ln(hardness)+2.7088) | e(1.1021*ln(hardness)+2.2382) | 16.8 - 30(13) (chronic) | --- | --- | |
Zinc | 0.978*e(0.9094*ln(hardness)+0.9095) | 0.986*e(0.9094*ln(hardness)+0.6235) Sculpin(14) = e(2.140*ln(hardness)-5.084) | 2000(B) | 5,000(F) (chronic) | 7,400 | 26,000 |
Note: Capital letters in parentheses refer to references listed in section 31.16(3); numbers in parentheses refer to Table III footnotes. |
Table III - Footnotes
Where the hardness-based equations in Table III are applied as table value water quality standards for individual water segments, those equations define the applicable numerical standards. As an aid to persons using this regulation, Table IV provides illustrative examples of approximate metals values associated with a range of hardness levels. This table is provided for informational purposes only.
Many forms of mercury are readily converted to toxic forms under natural conditions. The FRV of 0.01 µg/liter is the maximum allowed concentration of total mercury in the water. This value is estimated to prevent bioaccumulation of methylmercury in edible fish or shellfish tissue above the fish tissue standard for methylmercury of 0.3 mg/kg.
In waters supporting populations of fish or shellfish with a potential for human consumption, the Commission can adopt the FRV as the stream standard to be applied as a 30-day average. Alternatively, the Commission can adopt site-specific ambient-based standards for mercury in accordance with section 31.7. Site-specific water-column standards shall be calculated from the site-specific bioaccumulation factor, using measured water column concentrations of total mercury and measured fish tissue concentrations of methylmercury. Fish tissue data shall be collected from species of the highest trophic level present in the waterbody. Fish tissue samples should include older, larger individuals present in the waterbody. A bioaccumulation factor should be calculated separately for each species sampled, and the highest bioaccumulation factor should be used to calculate the site-specific water column standard in order to prevent the average fish tissue concentrations from exceeding 0.3 mg/kg for all species.
TABLE IV - AQUATIC LIFE TABLE VALUE STANDARDS FOR SELECTED HARDNESS CONCENTRATIONS
TABLE IV AQUATIC LIFE TABLE VALUE STANDARDS FOR SELECTED HARDNESS CONCENTRATIONS (µg/L) | |||||||||||
Mean Hardness in mg/L Calcium Carbonate | |||||||||||
25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 | 350 | 400 | ||
Aluminum | Acute | 512 | 1324 | 2307 | 3421 | 5960 | 8838 | 10071 | 10071 | 10071 | 10071 |
Chronic | 73 | 189 | 329 | 488 | 851 | 1262 | 1438 | 1438 | 1438 | 1438 | |
Cadmium | Acute(cold) | 0.49 | 0.94 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 6.5 |
Acute(warm) | 0.75 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 7.6 | 8.8 | 10 | |
Chronic | 0.25 | 0.43 | 0.58 | 0.72 | 0.97 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.0 | |
Chromium III | Acute | 183 | 323 | 450 | 570 | 794 | 1005 | 1207 | 1401 | 1590 | 1773 |
Chronic | 24 | 42 | 59 | 74 | 103 | 131 | 157 | 182 | 207 | 231 | |
Copper | Acute | 3.6 | 7.0 | 10 | 13 | 20 | 26 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 50 |
Chronic | 2.7 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 29 | |
Lead | Acute | 14 | 30 | 47 | 65 | 100 | 136 | 172 | 209 | 245 | 281 |
Chronic | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 5.3 | 6.7 | 8.1 | 9.5 | 11 | |
Manganese | Acute | 1881 | 2370 | 2713 | 2986 | 3417 | 3761 | 4051 | 4305 | 4532 | 4738 |
Chronic | 1040 | 1310 | 1499 | 1650 | 1888 | 2078 | 2238 | 2379 | 2504 | 2618 | |
Nickel | Acute | 145 | 260 | 367 | 468 | 660 | 842 | 1017 | 1186 | 1351 | 1513 |
Chronic | 16 | 29 | 41 | 52 | 72 | 94 | 113 | 132 | 150 | 168 | |
Silver | Acute | 0.19 | 0.62 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 6.7 | 9.8 | 13 | 18 | 22 |
Chronic(trout) | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 0.36 | 0.50 | 0.65 | 0.81 | |
Chronic | 0.03 | 0.10 | 0.20 | 0.32 | 0.64 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 3.5 | |
Uranium | Acute | 521 | 1119 | 1750 | 2402 | 3756 | 5157 | 6595 | 8062 | 9555 | 11070 |
Chronic | 326 | 699 | 1093 | 1501 | 2346 | 3221 | 4119 | 5036 | 5968 | 6915 | |
Zinc | Acute | 45 | 85 | 123 | 160 | 231 | 301 | 368 | 435 | 500 | 565 |
Chronic(sculpin) | 6.1 | 27 | 64 | 118 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Chronic | 34 | 65 | 93 | 121 | 175 | 228 | 279 | 329 | 379 | 428 | |
Shading indicates the aquatic life standards exceed drinking water supply standards. |
5 CCR 1002-31.16