Numeric Criteria Development

The information presented below gives a summary of state progress towards the development of numeric criteria. The information comes from EPA’s “State Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Standards (1998-2008)” report, current water quality standards, program activity measures, and nutrient criteria development plans. Links to the American Samoa’s Nutrient Criteria Plan and state water quality standards are also provided.

• Existing Numeric Criteria
• Links to the Plan and Criteria
• Milestone Information

Existing Numeric Criteria

S = Statewide    W = For selected waterbody    N ⁄ A=Not Applicable

Note: See Statewide Criteria and Site-specific Criteria tabs for more information.

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Links to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Plan and Existing Nutrient Criteria

Plan:

• No plan is available at this time.

WQS: American Samoa Water Quality Standards
American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency Exit

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Milestone Information

Milestone information updated July 2012.

TN: Total Nitrogen; TP: Total Phosphorus

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Statewide Criteria

The information on this tab shows EPA-approved nutrient criteria for American Samoa’s waterbodies. The language presented below comes directly from state water quality standards and applies to all waterbodies within the state (unless a waterbody type or designated use is noted). Criteria applicable to specific waterbodies within the state can be found on the “Site-specific Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the American Samoa water quality standards.

The following information reflects American Samoa’s 1999 water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010.

§24.0206 Standards of Water Quality

The following standards apply to all territorial and ground waters including but not limited to fresh surface waters, ground waters, embayments, open coastal waters, and oceanic waters of the territory, except as otherwise provided in §24.0207 (Zones of Mixing):

(a) They shall be substantially free from materials attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other activities of man that will produce objectionable color, odor, or taste, either of itself or in combinations, or in the biota;

(d) They shall be substantially free from substances and conditions or combinations thereof attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other activities of man which may be toxic to humans, other animals, plants, and aquatic life or produce undesirable aquatic life;

(k) Fresh surface waters

The following standards apply specifically to all fresh surface waters of the territory:

(l) Embayments

The following standards apply to all embayments except Pago Pago Harbor, Fagatele Bayand Pala Lagoon:

(o) Open Coastal Waters

The following apply specifically to open coastal waters:

(p) Ocean Waters

The following apply specifically to ocean waters:

Site-specific Criteria

The information on this tab shows EPA-approved site-specific nutrient criteria for American Samoa’s waterbodies. Criteria on this page apply only to the waterbodies listed below. Criteria applicable to all waterbodies within the state are found on the “Statewide Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the American Samoa water quality standards.

The following information reflects American Samoa’s 1999 water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010.

§24.0206 Standards of Water Quality

(m) Pago Pago Harbor

The following standards apply specifically to Pago Pago Harbor:

(n) Embayments - Fagatele Bay and Pala Lagoon

The following standards apply specifically to Fagatele Bay and Pala Lagoon: