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 Ohio’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 Ohio 2006

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

WQS: Ohio Water Quality Standards
Ohio EPA: Division of Surface Water Final Rules—Water Quality Standards (OAC 3745-1) Exit

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Milestone Information

Milestone information updated May 2012.

TN: Total Nitrogen; TP: Total Phosphorus

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Statewide Criteria

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

The following information reflects Ohio’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (compiled from regulations EPA approved May 1998, October 1998, and December 2002).

3745-1-04 Criteria applicable to all waters.
The following general water quality criteria shall apply to all surface waters of the state including mixing zones. To every extent practical and possible as determined by the director, these waters shall be:

(C) Free from materials entering the waters as a result of human activity producing color, odor or other conditions in such a degree as to create a nuisance;

(E) Free from nutrients entering the waters as a result of human activity in concentrations that create nuisance growths of aquatic weeds and algae;

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The following information reflects Ohio’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (Effective December 2002).

3745-1-07 Water use designations and statewide criteria.

Table 7-11. Statewide water quality criteria for the protection against adverse aesthetic conditions.

¹ T = total.

² mg/L = milligrams per liter (parts per million); ug/L = micrograms per liter (parts per billion).

³ IMZM = inside mixing zone maximum; OMZM = outside mixing zone maximum.

^C Total phosphorus as P shall be limited to the extent necessary to prevent nuisance growths of algae, weeds, and slimes that result in a violation of the water quality criteria set forth in paragraph (E) of rule 3745-1-04 of the Administrative Code or, for public water supplies, that result in taste or odor problems. In areas where such nuisance growths exist, phosphorus discharges from point sources determined significant by the director shall not exceed a daily average of one milligram per liter as total P, or such stricter requirements as may be imposed by the director in accordance with the international joint commission (United States-Canada agreement).

Table 7-12. Statewide water quality criteria for the protection of agricultural uses.

¹ T = total; TR = total recoverable.

² mg/L = milligrams per liter (parts per million); ug/L = micrograms per liter (parts per billion).

³ OMZA = outside mixing zone average.

The following information reflects Ohio’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (Effective May 1998).

3745-1-51 Wetland narrative criteria.
In addition to the criteria listed in rule 3745-1-04 of the Administrative Code, to every extent practicable and possible as determined by the director, and except as authorized in accordance with rule 3745-1-54 of the Administrative Code, the following narrative criteria shall apply to wetlands.

(B)

(2) Water quality shall be protected to prevent conditions conducive to the establishment or proliferation of nuisance organisms, as that term is defined in rule 3745-1-50 of the Administrative Code.

Site-specific Criteria

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

The following information reflects Ohio’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (compiled from regulations EPA approved May 1998, October 1998, and December 2002).

3745-1-32 Ohio river standards.
Table 32-2. Ohio river water quality criteria for the protection of human health.

¹ S = soluble; T = total; TR = total recoverable.

² mg/L = milligrams per liter (parts per million); ug/L = micrograms per liter (parts per billion); ng/L = nanograms per liter (parts per trillion); pg/L = picograms per liter (parts per quadrillion); Mf/L = million fibers per liter.

³ OMZA = outside mixing zone average. Criteria in the “Intakes” column apply within five hundred yards of drinking water intakes. Criteria in the “Elsewhere” column apply at all other locations.

^a This criterion is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) developed under the “Safe Drinking Water Act”.

3745-1-33 Water quality criteria for the lake Erie drainage basin.
Table 33-2. Lake Erie drainage basin water quality criteria for the protection of human health and wildlife.

¹ S = soluble; T = total; TR = total recoverable.

² mg/L = milligrams per liter (parts per million); ug/L = micrograms per liter (parts per billion); ng/L = nanograms per liter (parts per trillion); pg/L = picograms per liter (parts per quadrillion).

³ OMZA = outside mixing zone average.

3745-1-34 Water quality criteria for the Ohio river drainage basin.

Table 34-1. Ohio river drainage basin water quality criteria for the protection of human health.

¹ S = soluble; T = total; TR = total recoverable.

² mg/L = milligrams per liter (parts per million); ug/L = micrograms per liter (parts per billion); ng/L = nanograms per liter (parts per trillion); pg/L = picograms per liter (parts per quadrillion); Mf/L = million fibers per liter.

³ OMZA = outside mixing zone average.

^a This criterion is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) developed under the “Safe Drinking Water Act”.