The combination of a designated use and the maximum concentration of a pollutant which will protect that use for any given body of water. For example, in a trout stream, the concentration of iron should not exceed 1 mg/l.
A legally established state regulation consisting of three parts: (1) designated uses, (2) criteria, and (3) antidegradation policy.
Under the Clean Water Act, the states establish "water quality standards" based on guidelines issued by EPA. The state water quality standards set limits on the concentration of pollutants permitted in different categories of water depending on their designated use. In other words, states designate water bodies for particular uses – such as public drinking water, recreational, or agricultural use – and assign corresponding pollution limits to each category. State water quality standards must be approved by EPA.
a standard that defines the goals for a water body or portion of a water body, by designating the beneficial use or uses to be made of the water and by setting criteria necessary to protect the uses. Water quality standards should provide for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and for recreation in and on the water, and should take into consideration the use and value of public water supplies. Such standards establish water quality goals for a specific water body and serve as the regulatory basis for the establishment of water quality-based treatment controls and strategies beyond the technology-based treatment required by sections 301(b) and 306 of the CWA.
Recommended or enforceable maximum contaminant levels of chemicals or materials (e.g. chlorobenzene nitrate, iron, arsenic) in water. These levels are established for water used by municipalities, industries, agriculture and recreationists.
Recommended or enforceable maximum contaminant levels of chemicals or substances in water. These levels are established for water used by municipalities, industries, agriculture, and recreation. Standards may also be narrative.
Law or regulation that consists of the beneficial designated use or uses of a waterbody, the numeric and narrative water quality criteria that are necessary to protect the use or uses of that particular waterbody, and an antidegradation statement.
Water Quality Standards define the goals for a waterbody by designating its uses, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect water quality from pollution.