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 New Jersey’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.

Top of Page

Links to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Plan and Existing Nutrient Criteria

Plan:

• Nutrient Criteria Development Plan for the State of New Jersey 2009

WQS: New Jersey Water Quality Standards
New Jersey DEP: Surface Water Quality Standards 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 EPA-approved nutrient criteria for New Jersey’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 New Jersey water quality standards.

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

7:9B-1.5 Statements of policy

(g) Nutrient policies are as follows:

1. These policies apply to all FW* waters of the State.

2. Except as due to natural conditions, nutrients shall not be allowed in concentrations that render the waters unsuitable for the existing or designated uses due to objectionable algal densities, nuisance aquatic vegetation, abnormal diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen or pH, changes to the composition of aquatic ecosystems, or other indicators of use impairment caused by nutrients.

5. Activities resulting in the nonpoint discharge of nutrients shall implement the best management practices determined by the Department to be necessary to protect the existing or designated uses.

*From 7:9B-1.4 Definitions
"FW" means the general surface water classification applied to fresh waters.

7:9B-1.14 Surface water quality criteria

(a) Surface water quality criteria for FW1* waters shall be maintained as to quality in their natural state.

(d) Surface Water Quality Criteria for FW2*, SE* and SC* Waters:

*Surface water classifications explained:
From 7:9B-1.4 Definitions
“FW1” means those fresh waters, as designated in N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.15(j), that are to be maintained in their natural state of quality (set aside for posterity) and not subjected to any man- made wastewater discharges or increases in runoff from anthropogenic activities. These waters are set aside for posterity because of their clarity, color, scenic setting, other characteristic of aesthetic value, unique ecological significance, exceptional recreational significance, exceptional water supply significance or exceptional fisheries resource(s).
"FW2" means the general surface water classification applied to those fresh waters that are not designated as FW1 or Pinelands Waters.
"SE" means the general surface water classification applied to saline waters of estuaries.
"SC" means the general surface water classification applied to coastal saline waters.

7. Surface Water Quality Criteria for Toxic Substances

(h) human health noncarcinogen

Site-specific Criteria

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

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

7:9B-1.14 Surface water quality criteria

(b) Surface water quality criteria for PL* waters are as follows:

1. These waters shall be maintained as to quality in their existing state or that quality necessary to attain or protect the designated uses, whichever is more stringent.

i. For Nitrate-Nitrogen a level of 2 mg/L shall be maintained in the surface waters unless it is shown that a lower level must be maintained to protect the existing surface water quality.

2. The water quality criteria for existing discharges are the water quality criteria contained in "Surface Water Quality Standards" as adopted in March 1981, except that:

i. The criteria for Nitrate-Nitrogen and pH promulgated in N.J.A.C. 7:9B- 1.14(b)1 for PL waters apply instead of the 1981 criteria, and;

ii. The criteria for phosphorus, bacterial quality, and toxic substances promulgated in N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.14(c) through (g) apply instead of the 1981 criteria, as though the freshwater portions of the PL waters were classified as FW2* and the saline portions were classified as SE1*.

7:9B-1.14(d) General Surface Water Quality Criteria for FW2, SE and SC Waters: (Expressed as Maximum concentrations unless otherwise noted)

Turbidity (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit-NTU)

1. Maximum 30-day average of 15 NTU, a maximum of 50 NTU at any time. FW2, SE3
2. Maximum 30-day average of 10 NTU, a maximum of 30 NTU at any time. SE1, SE2
3. Levels shall not exceed 10.0 NTU. SC

*Surface water classifications explained:
From 7:9B-1.4 Definitions
"PL" means the general surface water classification applied to Pinelands Waters.
“Pinelands waters” means all waters within the boundaries of the Pinelands Area, except those waters designated as FW1 in N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.15(j), as established in the Pinelands Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 13:18A-1 et seq.) and shown on Plate 1 of the “Comprehensive Management Plan” adopted by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission in November 1980.
"FW2" means the general surface water classification applied to those fresh waters that are not designated as FW1 or Pinelands Waters.
From 7:9B-1.12 Designated uses of FW1, PL, FW2, SE1, SE2, SE3, and SC waters
In all “SE1” waters the designated uses are: (1) Shellfish harvesting in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12; (2) Maintenance, migration and propagation of the natural and established biota; (3) Primary contact recreation; and (4) Any other reasonable uses.

Site-Specific Criteria Derived from TMDL Study

Through its TMDL study, NJDEP determined that the in-stream numeric criterion (0.1 mg/L) does not apply to streams because monitoring and simulation demonstrate that phosphorus is not rendering the waters unsuitable for the designated uses. Absent watershed or site specific criteria, the applicable phosphorus criteria at the critical locations of the Wanaque Reservoir and the Dundee Lake are a numeric criterion of 0.05 mg/L of total phosphorus. As a result, NJDEP established watershed criteria for chlorophyll a, which are expressed as seasonal averages (June 15 – September 1), of 20 ug/L and 10 ug/L of chlorophyll a for Dundee Lake and the Wanaque Reservoir, respectively. The TMDL document provides appropriate analysis to demonstrate that these site-specific criteria, once met, are sufficient to protect the applicable designated uses in these waters.

Source: July 2008 EPA Approval Letter for New Jersey Water Quality Standards.