NEW JERSEYSurface Water Quality Standards (N.J.A.C. 7:9B) Stakeholder MeetingMay 21, 2019Department Of Environmental Protection

Division Of Water Monitoring And Standards

Bureau Of Environmental Analysis, Restoration and Standards

Water Resource ManagementMichele Putnam, Asst. Comm.

Division of Water Monitoring and StandardsDirector: Bruce Friedman

Bureau of MarineWater Monitoring

Robert SchusterChief

CommissionerCatherine McCabe

Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring

Leslie McGeorgeAdministrator

Bureau of Environmental Analysis

Restoration and StandardsKimberly Cenno

Chief

Water Supply and Geo Sciences

Division of WaterQuality

Division of Water Monitoring & StandardsBureau of Environmental Analysis Restoration and Standards

What We Do• SWQS/GWQS

• Monitoring

• Assessment

• TMDL Development

• Nonpoint Source Pollution Management and Restoration Grants

• Stewardship

• Water Quality Management Planning Program

What We Do (Cont’d)

Environmental Stewardship

AmeriCorps NJ Watershed

Ambassadors Program

Community Water

Monitoring

Watershed Education and Urban Fishing

Analysis

Water Quality Assessment

TMDL Development

Watershed Based Plans

Restoration

Nonpoint Source (NPS)

Pollution Management

Program

Water Quality Restoration Grants for NPS Pollution

Standards

SWQS Development

GWQS Development

Water Quality Management

Program

Why we are here

Clean Water Act requires a Triennial Review of Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS)

EPA revised several water quality criteria

States should revise criteria within 3 years or provide a justification as to why not

EPA must review and approve SWQS

Anticipated Revisions based on EPA Updates

Recreational Criteria

Freshwater Ammonia Criteria

Water Quality Standards Variance

Human Health Criteria for 94 Toxic Substances

2012

2013

2015

2015

Recreational Water Quality

Criteria

EPA Recreational Water Quality Criteria(2012 RWQC)

EPA finalized recommendations for Recreational Water Quality Criteria in 2012. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/rwqc2012.pdf

Based on National Epidemiological and Environmental Assessment of Recreational Water (NEEAR) studies conducted from 2003 to 2009.

Criteria would apply to all waters, including marine, estuarine, and inland waters that are designed for primary contact recreation (where water immersion and ingestion is most likely)

2012 RWQCTwo bacterial indicators (“a substance that indicates the potential forhuman infectious disease” – CWA §502(23))◦ Enterococci - Fresh and Marine Waters◦ E. Coli – Freshwaters

Two sets of numeric concentration measures◦ Magnitude: Geometric Mean and Statistical Threshold Value (STV):

90th percentile of the water quality distribution◦ Duration/Frequency: 30 / 90 Day (Rolling or Static)

Applicability◦ Seasonal or Year round

Comparison of NJ and EPA Recreational CriteriaMarine Waters (estuarine and coastal waters)

Enterococcus spp.* NJ CurrentEstimated Illness Rate

19 illnesses per 1,000 primary contact

recreators

EPA Option 1**Estimated Illness Rate

36 illness / 1000

EPA Option 2**Estimated Illness Rate

32 illness / 1000

Geometric mean(colony forming units/100 mL)

35/100 ml 35/100 ml 30/100 ml

Statistical Threshold Value (STV)(colony forming units/100 mL)

N/A 130/100 ml 110/100 ml

SSM (Single Sample Maximum) - beach notification/ closure only

104/100 ml N/A

Sampling frequency Minimum 5 in 30 days Not specified

Averaging period Seasonal 30 or 90 days

Applicability Year Round Year Round

* 2012 EPA recreational criteria allow Enterococci to be used as indicator organism in both fresh and marine waters. However, we would continue to use it only for marine waters.

** Designated use of primary contact recreation would be protected if either set of criteria is adopted and approved by EPA

Comparison of NJ and EPA Recreational CriteriaFreshwaters – (rivers, streams and lakes)

E. coli NJ Current

8 illnesses / 1000

EPA Option 1

36 illnesses / 1000

EPA Option 2

32 illnesses / 1000

Geometric mean(colony forming units/100 mL)

126/100 ml 126/100 ml 100/100 ml

Statistical Threshold Value (STV)(colony forming units/100 mL)

N/A 410/100 ml 320/100 ml

SSM (Single Sample Maximum) - beach notification/ closure only

235/100 ml N/A

Sampling frequency Minimum 5 in 30 days Not specified

Averaging period Seasonal 30 or 90 days

Applicability Year Round Year Round

Discussion Points• Option 1: Geometric mean is consistent with existing criteria• Option 2: Geometric mean is more stringent than existing criteria• Must select the same option for both Fresh and Marine waters• Both options have the STV, which is a new measure

Illness Rates: Two Options for

Enterococcus, E. coli

• Enterococci in estuarine and coastal waters• E. Coli in fresh waters• No change anticipated

Indicator Organism

• 30-days / 90 days• Calculations may be static/rolling duration• Temporal and Spatial representation• Need to ensure sufficient data is available for decision-making

Duration and Frequency

• Primary contact recreational waters• Year round application• Consistent with current practice

Applicability

Potential Impacts

• Latest science ensures better protection of public healthPublic Health

Impact

• No change in WQBEL calculation procedures• Minimal impacts to NJPDES dischargers given current technologies• No significant economic burden• CSO dischargers must consider criteria changes as part of long term

control plans• No criteria changes for SE2 and SE3 waters

Impacts to NJ dischargers

• Sampling frequencies to be included in methods document• Potential for more subwatersheds to not attain the EPA 2012 criteriaAssessment

Discussion and Questions

Ammonia Criteria

FW2 and PL Criteria Dependent on pH and Temperature

Acute and Chronic Criteria Adopted in 2002 for:• Freshwater 2 (FW2) -Trout Production (TP) and Trout Maintenance (TM)• FW2-NT (winter & summer)• Pinelands (PL)• Saline-estuarine (SE)• Saline Coastal (SC)

Criteria Calculated using NJ-specific Species

Existing NJ Ammonia Criteria

In 2013, EPA updated its freshwater ammonia aquatic life Ambient Water Quality Criteria in compliance with the Clean Water Act to reflect the latest science.

https://www.epa.gov/wqc/aquatic-life-criteria-ammonia

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/aquatic-life-ambient-water-quality-criteria-for-ammonia-freshwater-2013.pdf

EPA’s 2013 Recommended Ammonia Criteria

The EPA’s new formula includes most sensitive species –unionid mussels and gill-breathing snails (more sensitive than those used in NJ’s formulae)Generally more stringent than existing NJ criteria, but not always.

General Year-round criteria for all FW classifications (no seasonal criteria)

Does not apply at pH levels <6.5 and >9 (pH criteria in NJ PL waters is 3.5 – 5.5)

EPA’s 2013 Recommended Ammonia CriteriaWhat’s new?

Total Ammonia (mg/L)Temp. = 20 CpH = 7

AcuteFW2 waters

ChronicAll FW2 watersTP &

TM NT

Current NJ Criteria22.3 25

(Summer)

28.8

(Winter)

5.72

(TP&TM)

6.71 (NT

Summer)

7.46 (NT

Winter)

2013 EPA criteria17 17 1.9*

*Not to exceed 2.5 times the criterion as a 4-day average within 30-day period.

Comparison of Ammonia CriteriaExample: Total Ammonia (mg/L)

Implementation Options

Develop site-specific criteria

• Local species• Local conditions

Demonstrate target species are not

present since 1975

• Host fish – transport larva

• Mussels colonizing new territories

• Mussels to be surveyed every 2-3 years

Other options

• Use Attainability Analysis (UAA)

• Variance

Permitting Implications

Pote

ntia

l Im

plic

atio

ns Some dischargers may be affected

Treating for NH3 would increase nitrate (NO3) in

discharge and receiving water

Significant upgrade costs may be required if permit limits

are more stringent

Permitting Implications

Reviewed 50 randomly-selected facilities out of 209 sanitary dischargers:

Impacts are based on site-specific conditions:

◦ 65% - no impacts

◦ 15% - minimal impacts

◦ 20% - major impacts

Discussion and Questions

EPA 2015Water Quality Standards Variance

EPA Water Quality Standards Revisions

Revised 40 C.F.R. 131• Administrative Determination

• Designated Uses

• Triennial Reviews

• Antidegradation

• WQS Variance

• Compliance Schedules

https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/final-rulemaking-update-national-water-quality-standards-regulation

Water Quality Standards Variance (WQSV)

Definition:A time-limited designated use and criterion for a specific pollutant(s) that reflect the highest attainable condition (HAC) during the term of the WQS variance.

• Applicable for NPDES implementation and not for assessing the waterbodies –Underlying use/criterion remains

• Applies to identified• Parameter/pollutant• Water body / waterbody segment(s)• Permittee(s)• Term / Duration

• Assumption – Underlying designated use/criteria would beachieved at the end of term

https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/final-rulemaking-update-national-water-quality-standards-regulation

Terminologies and Abbreviations specific to WQSV

• Term - Duration• Factors [40 C.F.R. § 131.10(g)]

1. Naturally occurring pollutant concentrations2. Natural low/ephemeral/intermittent flow3. Human caused conditions4. Hydrologic modifications (Dams/diversions)5. Natural features of water body (pools, riffles)6. Substantial economic and social impacts

Terminologies and Abbreviations specific to WQSV

• Term - Duration• Factors [40 C.F.R. § 131.10(g)]• MDV – Multiple Discharge(s) Specific WQSV• DSV – Single Discharge Specific WQSV• Waterbody variance – WQSV applicable to waterbody or

waterbody segment(s)• PMP – Pollutant Minimization Program• HAC – Highest Attainable Condition

2015 EPA Variance RequirementsHighest Attainable Condition

HighestAttainableCondition

Highest attainable interim criterion

Interim effluent condition reflecting greatest achievable pollutant

reduction

Interim criterion or effluent condition reflecting greatest pollutant reduction

achievable with control technologies at the time of adoption

WQSV

Pollutant(s)

Waterbody

Term/Duration + Reevaluation

Schedule if term > 5 years

Highest Attainable Condition

(HAC)

Supporting documents / justifications

Pollutant Minimization

Program (PMP)

Public participation

Legally binding / State

Attorney general

certification

Existing NJ Procedures

• Procedures for modifying water quality-based effluent limitation for individual dischargers to Category One waters

N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.8

• Procedures for modifying water quality-based effluent limitation for individual dischargers to Category Two waters

N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.9

• Procedures for reclassifying specific segments for less restrictive uses

N.J.A.C.7:9B-1.10

Discussion and Questions

Human HealthCriteria

Human Health Criteria

Revised freshwater human health criteria for 94 toxic substances in 2015(https://www.epa.gov/wqc/2015-epa-updated-ambient-water-quality-criteria-protection-human-health)

NJ has criteria for 88 of the 94 toxic substances

NJ anticipating to update saline water criteria as well, using the same factors used for freshwater criteria

Factors Influencing Human Health Criteria

Human Health Criteria

Avg. body weight

Avg. Drinking

water intake

Avg. Fish Consumption

Bio-accumulation

Carcinogenicity(Cancer Slope

factor / reference dose)

Relative Source

Contribution

EPA Revisions toHuman Health Criteria Development

(https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/human-health-2015-update-factsheet.pdf)

Avg. Body Weight

70 kg

80 kg

Avg. Drinking Water Intake

2 L/day

2.4 L/day

Avg. Fish Consumption

17.5 gm/day

22 gm/day

Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs) were also updated

• New toxicity factors (cancer slope factor / reference dose) were found for ~30 constituents.

• Toxicity factors are being evaluated further to determine whether they are an appropriate basis for update of the criteria.

• EPA updated methodology for deriving Bioaccumulation Factors in 2015, which resulted in new bioaccumulation factors for all 94 chemicals. (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-01/documents/national-bioaccumulation-factors-supplemental-information.pdf)

• Criteria will be recalculated based on updated:• Toxicity factors,• Exposure assumptions, and • Bioaccumulation factors.

Human Health Criteriawith Potential Updates

The following sources are being reviewed for potential updated toxicity factors:

◦ NJ Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI)◦ USEPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)◦ USEPA Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTV)◦ USEPA updated Human Health Criteria (HHC) and the

sources used as their basis ◦ USEPA Office of Water (OW) criteria documents◦ California EPA Public Health Goals (PHGs)◦ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Minimum

Risk Levels (ATSDR MRLs)

Where are we in the process?

The NJDEP has existing criteria for 88 freshwater toxics and 87 saline water toxics.

Preliminary Evaluation

Potential Impacts

Freshwater criteria• 66 more stringent• 21 less stringent• 6 new criteria• 1 no change

Saltwater criteria• 60 more stringent• 27 less stringent• 7 new criteria• 1 no change

Discussion and Questions

Next StepsAnticipated NJR publication date: December 2019

For further information:

https://www.nj.gov/dep/workgroups/swqs.htmlProvide comments by June 14, 2019

Contact Information:

Biswarup Guha (Roop)Bureau of Environmental Analysis, Restoration and StandardsDivision of Water Monitoring and StandardsNew Jersey Department of Environmental ProtectionPh. 609-633-1441Email: Biswarup.guha@dep.nj.govwww.nj.gov/dep/wms

Rule Team

Bruce Friedman, DirectorKimberly Cenno, Bureau ChiefGigi MallepalleTracy FayBiswarup GuhaKelly Mascarenhas