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 Kentucky’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

Plans:

• Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for the State of Kentucky 2008
• Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for the State of Kentucky 2007

• ORSANCO Nutrient Criteria Plan September 2011
• ORSANCO Nutrient Criteria Plan March 2011

WQS: Kentucky Water Quality Standards
Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection: Division of Water Quality Standards Exit

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Milestone Information

Milestone information updated July 2012.

TN: Total Nitrogen; TP: Total Phosphorus

* Kentucky is currently looking at different analytical methods; a new milestone date has not been determined yet.

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Statewide Criteria

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

The following information reflects Kentucky’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved December 2004).

Section 1. Nutrient Limits. In lakes and reservoirs and their tributaries, and other surface waters where eutrophication problems may exist, nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and contributing trace element discharges shall be limited in accordance with:

(1) The scope of the problem;

(2) The geography of the affected area; and

(3) Relative contributions from existing and proposed sources.

Section 2. Minimum Criteria Applicable to All Surface Waters. (1) The following minimum water quality criteria are applicable to all surface waters including mixing zones, with the exception that toxicity to aquatic life in mixing zones shall be subject to the provisions of 401 KAR 5:029, Section 4. Surface waters shall not be aesthetically or otherwise degraded by substances that:

(c) Produce objectionable color, odor, taste, or turbidity;

(e) Produce undesirable aquatic life or result in the dominance of nuisance species;

Section 6. Pollutants. Allowable instream concentrations of pollutants are listed in Table 1 of this section.

¹CAS =Chemical Abstracts Service.
⁴DWS = Domestic Water Supply Source.
⁵Fish = Fish Consumption.

Site-specific Criteria

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

The following information reflects Kentucky’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved December 2004).

Section 9. Water Quality Criteria for the Main Stem of the Ohio River.
(4) To provide for the protection of warm water aquatic life habitats, the criteria in Table 2 of this subsection shall be met at the edge of the assigned mixing zone.