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 North Dakota’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 North Dakota

WQS: North Dakota Water Quality Standards
North Dakota Department of Health: Surface Water Quality Management Program 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 North Dakota’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 North Dakota water quality standards.

The following information reflects North Dakota’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved June 2001).

33-16-02-08. General water quality standards.

1. Narrative standards.

a. The following minimum conditions are applicable to all waters of the state except for Class II ground waters. All waters of the state shall be:

(3) Free from materials attributable to municipal, industrial, or other discharges or agricultural practices producing color, odor, or other conditions to such a degree as to create a nuisance or render any undesirable taste to fish flesh or, in any way, make fish inedible.

33-20-02-09. Surface water classifications, mixing zones, and numeric standards.

3. Numeric standards.

a. Class I streams. Unless stated otherwise, maximum limits for Class I streams are listed in Table 1 and Table 2.

Table 1
Maximum Limits for Substances in or Characteristics of Class I Streams

CAS No.	Substance or Characteristic	Maximum Limit
14797-55-8	Nitrates (N) (Diss.)1	1.0 mg/L
7723-I 4-O	Phosphorus (P) (Total)1	0.1 mg/L

1 The standards for nitrates (N) and phosphorus (P) are intended as interim guideline limits. Since each stream or lake has unique characteristics which determine the levels of these constituents that will cause excessive plant growth (eutrophication), the department reserves the right to review these standards after additional study and to set specific limitations on any waters of the state. However, in no case shall the standard for nitrates (N) exceed 10 mg/L for any waters used as a municipal or domestic drinking water supply.
 

Table 2
Water Quality Criteria Priority Pollutants (ug/L)

CAS No.	Pollutant	Human Health Value Classes I, IA, II2
14797-65-O	Nitrite	1000’

²Based on two routes of exposure - ingestion of contaminated aquatic organisms and drinking water.

Surface water classifications explained:

From 33-20-02-09. Surface water classifications, mixing zones, and numeric standards.

1. Classifications. Procedures for the classifications of streams and lakes of the state shall follow this subsection. Classifications of streams and lakes are listed in Appendix I and Appendix II, respectively.

a. Class I streams. The quality of the waters in this class shall be suitable for the propagation and/or protection of resident fish species and other aquatic biota and for swimming, boating, and other water recreation. The quality of the waters shall be for irrigation, stockwatering, and wildlife without injurious effects. After treatment consisting of coagulation, settling, filtration, and chlorination, or equivalent treatment processes, the water quality shall meet the bacteriological, physical, and chemical requirements of the department for municipal or domestic use.

b. Class IA streams. The quality of the waters in this class shall be the same as the quality of Class I streams, except that treatment for municipal use may also require softening to meet the requirements of the department.

c. Class II streams. The quality of the waters in this class shall be the same as the quality of Class I streams, except that additional treatment may be required to meet the drinking water requirements of the department. Streams in this classification may be intermittent in nature which would make these waters of limited value for beneficial uses such as municipal water, fish life, or irrigation.

e. Lakes

(1) The beneficial uses and parameter limitations designated for Class I streams shall apply to all classified lakes. However, specific background studies and information may require that the department revise a standard for any specific parameter.

(2) In addition, these nutrient parameters are guidelines for use as goals in any lake improvement or maintenance program:

Parameter	Limit
NO, as N	0.25 mg/L
PO, as P	0.02 mg/L

Site-specific Criteria

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

The following information reflects North Dakota’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved June 2001).

None.