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 Guam’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: Guam Water Quality Standards
Guam Environmental Protection Agency: Laws & Regulations 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 Guam’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 Guam water quality standards.

The following information reflects Guam’s 2001 water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010.

Section 5103. Water Quality Criteria.

A. General Criteria Applicable to All Waters of Guam.

1. All waters shall meet generally accepted aesthetic qualifications, shall be capable of supporting desirable aquatic life, and shall be free from substances, conditions or combinations thereof attributable to domestic, commercial and industrial discharges or agriculture, construction and land-use practices or other human activities that:

c. Produce objectionable color, odor or taste, directly or by chemical or biological action.

e. Induce the growth of undesirable aquatic life.

C. Numeric Water Quality Criteria for Marine and Surface Waters.

*Section 5102. Categories of Waters.

B. Marine Waters.

This category includes all coastal waters off-shore from the mean high water mark, including estuarine waters, lagoons and bays, brackish areas, wetlands and other special aquatic sites, and other inland waters that are
subject to ebb and flow of the tides.

1. Category M-1 Excellent.

Water in this category must be of high enough quality to protect for whole body contact recreation, and to ensure the preservation and protection of marine life, including corals and reef-dwelling organisms, fish and related fisheries resources, and enable the pursuit of marine scientific research as well as aesthetic enjoyment. This category of water shall remain substantially free from pollution attributed to domestic, commercial and industrial discharges, shipping and boating, or mariculture, construction and other activities which can reduce the waters' quality.

2. Category M-2 Good.

Water in this category must be of sufficient quality to allow for the propagation and survival of marine organisms, particularly shellfish and other similarly harvested aquatic organisms, corals and other reef-related resources, and whole body contact recreation.. Other important and intended uses include mariculture activities, aesthetic enjoyment and related activities.

3. Category M-3 Fair.

Water in this category is intended for general, commercial and industrial use, while allowing for protection of aquatic life; aesthetic enjoyment and compatible recreation with limited body contact. Specific intended uses include the following: shipping, boating and berthing, industrial cooling water, and marinas.

C. Surface Waters.

This category includes all of surface freshwater and includes: (1) waters that flow continuously over land surfaces in a defined channel or bed, such as streams and rivers; (2) standing water in basins, such as lakes, wetlands, marshes, swamps, ponds, sinkholes, ponding basins, impoundments, and reservoirs, either natural or man-made; and (3) all waters flowing over the land as runoff, or as runoff confined to channels with intermittent flow.

1. Category S-1 High.

Surface water in this category is used for drinking water, wilderness areas, propagation and preservation of aquatic life, whole body contact recreation and aesthetic enjoyment. It is the objective of these standards that these waters shall be kept free of substances or pollutants from domestic, commercial and industrial discharges, or agricultural activities, construction or other land-use practices that may impact water quality.

2. Category S-2 Medium.

Surface water in this category is used for recreational purposes, including whole body contact recreation, for use as potable water supply after adequate treatment is provided, and propagation and preservation of aquatic wildlife and aesthetic enjoyment.

3. Category S-3 Low.

Surface water in this category is primarily used for commercial, agricultural and industrial activities. Aesthetic enjoyment and limited body contact recreation are acceptable in this zone, as well as maintenance of aquatic life. Discharges within this zone may be required to have construction and/or discharge permits under existing Guam Sediment and Soil Erosion regulations or under National Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES").

Site-specific Criteria

The information on this tab shows EPA-approved site-specific nutrient criteria for Guam’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 Guam water quality standards.

The following information reflects Guam’s 2001 water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010.

None.