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 Florida’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

Waterbody Type	N	P	Chl-a	Clarity
Lakes & Reservoirs	S	S	S
Rivers & Streams	S	S
Estuaries	W	W
Wetlands		W

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

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

Top of Page

---

Links to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Plan and Existing Nutrient Criteria

Plan:

• Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for the State of Florida 2007

WQS: Florida Water Quality Standards
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Exit

Top of Page

---

Milestone Information

Milestone information updated July 2012.

TN: Total Nitrogen; TP: Total Phosphorus

Top of Page

Statewide Criteria

The information on this tab shows statewide nutrient criteria for Florida’s waterbodies. Florida has statewide narrative criteria for nutrients and numeric criteria for transparency and nitrate (drinking water). In addition, EPA has established federal statewide numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s lakes, springs, and most streams (with the exception of south Florida), including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a.

The language presented below comes directly from state water quality standards (for Florida adopted and EPA-approved) and from the Federal Register (for EPA established). The information on this tab 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 Florida water quality standards and 40 CFR Part 131 Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters (PDF) (47 pp, 393K, About PDF).

State Adopted/EPA Approved Criteria

The following information reflects Florida’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved May 2007).

62-302.530 Table: Surface Water Quality Criteria.
The following table contains both numeric and narrative surface water quality criteria to be applied except within zones of mixing. The left-hand column of the Table is a list of constituents for which a surface water criterion exists. The headings for the water quality classifications are found at the top of the Table. Applicable criteria lie within the Table. The individual criteria should be read in conjunction with other provisions in water quality standards, including Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C. The criteria contained in Rule 62-302.500, F.A.C. also apply to all waters unless alternative or more stringent criteria are specified in Rule 62-302.530, F.A.C. Unless otherwise stated, all criteria express the maximum not to be exceeded at any time. In some cases, there are separate or additional limits, which apply independently of the maximum not to be exceeded at any time. For example, annual average (denoted as “annual avg.” in the Table) means the maximum concentration at average annual flow conditions (see Rule 62-302.200(2), F.A.C.). In applying the water quality standards, the Department shall take into account the variability occurring in nature and shall recognize the statistical variability inherent in sampling and testing procedures. The Department’s assessment methodology, set forth in Chapter 62-303, F.A.C., accounts for such natural and statistical variability when used to assess ambient waters pursuant to sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act.

62.302.530, Criteria for Surface Water Quality Classifications

Parameter	Units	Class I: Potable Water Supply		Class II: Shellfish Propagation or Harvesting	Class III: Recreation, Propagation and Maintenance of a Healthy, Well-Balanced Population of Fish and Wildlife		Class IV: Agricultural Water Supplies	Class V: Navigation, Utility, and Industrial Use
					Predominantly Fresh Waters	Predominantly Marine Waters
(45) Nitrate	Milligrams/L as N	≤ 10 or that concentration that exceeds the nutrient criteria
(47) (a) Nutrients		The discharge of nutrients shall continue to be limited as needed to prevent violations of other standards contained in this chapter. Man-induced nutrient enrichment (total nitrogen or total phosphorus) shall be considered degradation in relation to the provisions of Sections 62-302.300, 62-302.700, and 62-4.242, F.A.C.
(47) (b) Nutrients		In no case shall nutrient concentrations of a body of water be altered so as to cause an imbalance in natural populations of aquatic flora or fauna.
(67) Transparency	Depth of the compensation point for photosynthetic activity	Shall not be reduced by more than 10% as compared to the natural background value.	Shall not be reduced by more than 10% as compared to the natural background value.		Shall not be reduced by more than 10% as compared to the natural background value.	Shall not be reduced by more than 10% as compared to the natural background value.

Site-specific Criteria

The information on this tab shows EPA-approved and EPA-established site-specific nutrient criteria for Florida’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 Florida water quality standards and 40 CFR Part 131 Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters.

State Adopted/EPA Approved Criteria

The following information reflects Florida’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved May 2007).

62-302.540 Water Quality Standards for Phosphorus Within the Everglades Protection Area.

(4) Phosphorus Criterion.

(a) The numeric phosphorus criterion for Class III waters in the EPA shall be a long-term geometric mean of 10 ppb, but shall not be lower than the natural conditions of the EPA, and shall take into account spatial and temporal variability. Achievement of the criterion shall be determined by the methods in this subsection. Exceedences of the provisions of the subsection shall not be considered deviations from the criterion if they are attributable to the full range of natural spatial and temporal variability, statistical variability inherent in sampling and testing procedures or higher natural background conditions.

---

EPA Established Criteria

The following information reflects EPA-established water quality standards for Florida, 40 CFR Part 131 Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters, posted to the Federal Register December 6, 2010.

§ 131.43 Florida.

(e) Site-specific alternative criteria.

(1) The Regional Administrator may determine that site-specific alternative criteria shall apply to specific surface waters in lieu of the criteria established in paragraph (c) of this section. Any such determination shall be made consistent with § 131.11.

(2) To receive consideration from the Regional Administrator for a determination of site-specific alternative criteria, an entity shall submit a request that includes proposed alternative numeric criteria and supporting rationale suitable to meet the needs for a technical support document pursuant to paragraph (e)(3) of this section. The entity shall provide the State a copy of all materials submitted to EPA, at the time of submittal to EPA, to facilitate the State providing comments to EPA. Site-specific alternative criteria may be based on one or more of the following approaches.

(i) Replicate the process for developing the stream criteria in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section.

(ii) Replicate the process for developing the lake criteria in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.

(iii) Conduct a biological, chemical, and physical assessment of waterbody conditions.

(iv) Use another scientifically defensible approach protective of the designated use.

(3) For any determination made under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall, prior to making such a determination, provide for public notice and comment on a proposed determination. For any such proposed determination, the Regional Administrator shall prepare and make available to the public a technical support document addressing the specific surface waters affected and the justification for each proposed determination. This document shall be made available to the public no later than the date of public notice issuance.

(4) The Regional Administrator shall maintain and make available to the public an updated list of determinations made pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this section as well as the technical support documents for each determination.

(5) Nothing in this paragraph (e) shall limit the Administrator’s authority to modify the criteria in paragraph (c) of this section through rulemaking.

(f) Effective date. Section 131.43(e) is effective February 4, 2011.