Section 250-RICR-150-05-1.8 - Surface Water Quality StandardsA. Purpose - A water quality standard defines the water quality goals of a surface waterbody, or portion thereof, by designating the use or uses of the water and by setting criteria necessary to protect the uses. Water quality standards are intended to protect public health, safety and welfare, enhance the quality of water and serve the purposes of the Clean Water Act and R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-12. "Serve the purposes of the Act" as defined in Section 101(a)(2) (33 U.S.C. § 1251) and 303(c) (33 U.S.C. § 1313) of the Clean Water Act means that water quality standards should, whenever attainable, provide water quality, including quantity, for the protection and propagation of fish and wildlife and for recreation in and on the water and take into consideration their use and value as public water supplies, propagation of fish and wildlife, recreation in and on the water, agricultural, industrial, and other purposes including navigation.B. Such standards serve the dual purposes of establishing the water quality goals for a specific surface water body or waterbody segment and serve as the regulatory basis for the establishment of water-quality-based-treatment controls and strategies beyond the technology-based levels of treatment required by Sections 301(b) (33 U.S.C. § 1311) and 306 (33 U.S.C. § 1316) of the Clean Water Act.C. Federal Approval and Periodic Review - These water quality standards are subject to approval by the Administrator pursuant to Section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1313. In accordance with paragraph 303(c)(1) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1313, the water quality standards shall be reviewed periodically but at least once every three years, and amended as necessary.D. Symbolic Representative of Water Quality Standards - The Director shall issue maps from time to time which indicate assigned water use classification.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-150-05-1.8
Amended effective 12/28/2023