Rhode Island Criteria Development Progress
This page provides information about the progress Rhode Island has made towards the development of numeric criteria and shows what statewide and site-specific criteria are currently in effect.
Note: The information on the tabs below reflects the information available on EPA’s
Water Quality Standards Repository. The criteria presented here will be updated as new water quality standards documents are posted to the Repository.
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 Rhode Island’s Nutrient Criteria Plan and state water quality standards are also provided.
Existing Numeric Criteria
| Waterbody Type | N | P | Chl-a | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes and Reservoirs | S | |||
| Rivers and Streams | ||||
| Estuaries | ||||
| Wetlands |
S = Statewide W = For selected waterbody N ⁄ A=Not Applicable
Note: See Statewide Criteria and Site-specific Criteria tabs for more information.
Links to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Plan and Existing Nutrient Criteria
Plan:
WQS: Rhode Island Water Quality Standards
Rhode Island DEM Office of Water Resources: Water Quality Exit
Statewide Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved nutrient criteria for Rhode Island’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 Rhode Island water quality standards.
The following information reflects Rhode Island’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved July 2010).
Rule 8. Surface Water Quality Standards
D. Water Quality Criteria - The following physical, chemical and biological criteria are parameters of minimum water quality necessary to support the surface water use classifications of rule 8.B. and shall be applicable to all waters of the State.
(1). General Criteria - The following minimum criteria are applicable to all waters of the State, unless criteria specified for individual classes are more stringent:
(a). At a minimum, all waters shall be free of pollutants in concentrations or combinations or from anthropogenic activities subject to these regulations that:
i. Adversely affect the composition of fish and wildlife;
ii. Adversely affect the physical, chemical, or biological integrity of the habitat;
iii. Interfere with the propagation of fish and wildlife;
iv. Adversely alter the life cycle functions, uses, processes and activities of fish and wildlife; or
v. Adversely affect human health.
(b). Aesthetics - all waters shall be free from pollutants in concentrations or combinations that:
iii. Produce odor or taste or change the color or physical, chemical or biological conditions to such a degree as to create a nuisance or interfere with the existing or designated uses; or,
iv. Result in the dominance of species of fish and wildlife to such a degree as to create a nuisance or interfere with the existing or designated uses.
(d). Nutrients - Nutrients shall not exceed the limitations specified in rule 8.D.(2) and 8.D.(3) and/or more stringent site-specific limits necessary to prevent or minimize accelerated or cultural eutrophication.
(2). Class-specific Criteria for Freshwaters - see Table 1
(3). Class-specific Criteria for Seawaters - see Tables 2 and 3
Table 1. 8.D.(2) Class-Specific Criteria – Fresh Waters
| Criterion | Class AA1 | Class A | Class B, B1, B{a}, B1{a} | Class C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Sludge deposits, solid refuse, floating solids, oil, grease, scum | None allowable. | None in such amounts that would impair any usages specifically assigned to this class. | ||
| 6. Taste and odor | None other than of natural origin and none associated with nuisance algal species. | None in such concentrations that would impair any usages specifically assigned to this class nor cause taste or odor in edible portions of fish. | ||
| 10. Nutrients |
a. Average Total Phosphorus shall not exceed 0.025 mg/L in any lake, pond, kettlehole or reservoir, and average Total P in tributaries at the point where they enter such bodies of water shall not cause exceedance of this phosphorus criteria, except as naturally occurs, unless the Director determines, on a site-specific basis, that a different value for phosphorus is necessary to prevent cultural eutrophication. b. None in such concentration that would impair any usages specifically assigned to said Class, or cause undesirable or nuisance aquatic species associated with cultural eutrophication, nor cause exceedance of the criterion of 10(a) above in a downstream lake, pond, or reservoir. New discharges of wastes containing phosphates will not be permitted into or immediately upstream of lakes or ponds. Phosphates shall be removed from existing discharges to the extent that such removal is or may become technically and reasonably feasible. |
|||
1Class AA waters used for public drinking water supply may be subject to restricted recreational use by State and local authorities.
TABLE 2. 8.D.(3) Class-Specific Criteria – Sea Waters
| Criterion | Class SA, SA{b} | Class SB, SB1, SB{a}, SB1{a} | Class SC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Sludge deposits, solid refuse, floating solids, oil, grease, scum |
None allowable. |
None in such amounts that would impair any usages specifically assigned to this class. | |
| 6. Taste and odor | None allowable except as naturally occurs. | None in such concentrations that would impair any usages specifically assigned to this class nor cause taste or odor in edible portions of fish or shellfish. | |
| 10. Nutrients | None in such concentration that would impair any usages specifically assigned to said Class, or cause undesirable or nuisance aquatic species associated with cultural eutrophication. Shall not exceed site-specific limits if deemed necessary by the Director to prevent or minimize accelerated or cultural eutrophication. Total phosphorus, nitrates and ammonia may be assigned site-specific permit limits based on reasonable Best Available Technologies. Where waters have low tidal flushing rates, applicable treatment to prevent or minimize accelerated or cultural eutrophication may be required for regulated nonpoint source activities. | ||
Water Use Classification
Freshwaters
Class AA@ - These waters are designated as a source of public drinking water supply (PDWS) or as a tributary within a public drinking water supply watershed (the terminal reservoir of the PDWS are identified in Appendix A), for primary and secondary contact recreational activities and for fish and wildlife habitat. These waters shall have excellent aesthetic value.
Class A - These waters are designated for primary and secondary contact recreational activities and for fish and wildlife habitat. They shall be suitable for compatible industrial processes and cooling, hydropower, aquacultural uses, navigation, and irrigation and other agricultural uses. These waters shall have good excellent aesthetic value.
Class B* - These waters are designated for fish and wildlife habitat and primary and secondary contact recreational activities. They shall be suitable for compatible industrial processes and cooling, hydropower, aquacultural uses, navigation, and irrigation and other agricultural uses. These waters shall have good aesthetic value.
Class B1* - These waters are designated for primary and secondary contact recreational activities and fish and wildlife habitat. They shall be suitable for compatible industrial processes and cooling, hydropower, aquacultural uses, navigation, and irrigation and other agricultural uses. These waters shall have good aesthetic value. Primary contact recreational activities may be impacted due to pathogens from approved wastewater discharges. However all Class B criteria must be met.
Class C - These waters are designated for secondary contact recreational activities and fish and wildlife habitat. They shall be suitable for compatible industrial processes and cooling, hydropower, aquacultural uses, navigation, and irrigation and other agricultural uses. These water shall have good aesthetic value.
@ Class AA waters used for public drinking water supply may be subject to restricted recreational use by State and local authorities.
* Certain Class B and B1 waterbody segments may have partial use designations assigned to them as noted in rule 8.B.(3).
Seawaters
Class SA*@ - These waters are designated for shellfish harvesting for direct human consumption, primary and secondary contact recreational activities, and fish and wildlife habitat. They shall be suitable for aquacultural uses, navigation, and industrial cooling. These waters shall have good aesthetic value.
Class SB* - These waters are designated for primary and secondary contact recreational activities; shellfish harvesting for controlled relay and depuration; and fish and wildlife habitat. They shall be suitable for aquacultural uses, navigation, and industrial cooling. These waters shall have good aesthetic value.
Class SB1* - These waters are designated for primary and secondary contact recreational activities and fish and wildlife habitat. They shall be suitable for aquacultural uses, navigation, and industrial cooling. These waters shall have good aesthetic value. Primary contact recreational activities may be impacted due to pathogens from approved wastewater discharges. However all Class SB criteria must be met.
Class SC - These waters are designated for secondary contact recreational activities, and fish and wildlife habitat. They shall be suitable for aquacultural uses, navigation, and industrial cooling. These waters shall have good aesthetic value.
@ Some Class SA waters contain Closed Safety Zones which are waters in the vicinity of an approved sanitary discharge which may be impacted in the event of complete failure of treatment and are therefore, currently prohibited to shellfishing. Although shellfishing use is restricted, all SA criteria must be met.
* Certain Class SA, SB and SB1 waterbody segments may have partial use designations assigned to them as noted in rules 8.B(3).
Site-specific Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved site-specific nutrient criteria for Rhode Island’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 Rhode Island water quality standards.
The following information reflects Rhode Island’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved July 2010).
None.