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Water-quality constituents and standards
Water-quality standards and criteria are developed by the States, approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and then promulgated (passed into law) as standards by each State. The water-quality standards and criteria contained and described in this table and presented on the graphs of the real-time estimates of water quality are not all enforceable standards for aquatic life or drinking water as described by Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) (Kansas Water-Quality Standards). For some constituents, aquatic life criteria are under development or have been promulgated by the State of Kansas. Criteria are being developed nationally by the USEPA for chlorophyll, turbidity, total nitrogen, and phosphorus. Nutrient criteria proposed by the USEPA for some areas of Kansas have been completed (USEPA Nutrient Criteria). However, Kansas does not have enforceable criteria. Water-quality standards and criteria are presented on the graphs and include USEPA drinking-water criteria, proposed USEPA nutrient criteria, and promulgated State of Kansas Water-Quality Standards to allow the viewer of the real-time measurements and estimated concentrations to compare the current estimated water-quality relative to these criteria and to decide whether the water quality is suitable for the intended use. When comparing the current estimates to the criteria, viewers are cautioned to consider the uncertainty associated with these estimates.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is in progress of revising all sanitary water quality standards in Kansas waters. These revised regulations will be risk-based and may apply to either fecal coliform or Escherichia coli indicator bacteria. These regulations are expected to be finalized in July 2003.
|
Constituent (symbol) |
Criteria |
Criteria description |
| Alkalinity (Alk) | none | No numeric criteria developed. Information is useful for water treatment. |
| Bicarbonate (HCO3) | none | No numeric criteria developed. Information is useful for water treatment. |
| Hardness (CaCO3) | none | No numeric criteria developed. Information is useful for water treatment. |
| Dissolved solids (DS) | 500 mg/L | USEPA SDWR1 for finished drinking water |
| Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC) | KDHE narrative criteria | Suspended solids added by artificial sources shall not interfere with aquatic life. |
| Total suspended solids (TSS) | KDHE narrative criteria | Suspended solids added by artificial sources shall not interfere with aquatic life. |
| Calcium (Ca) | none | No numeric criteria developed. Information is useful for water treatment. |
| Sodium(Na) | 20 mg/L | Drinking Water Effects Level, Non-enforceable advisory level for persons on low sodium diets. Taste threshold of 30-60 milligrams per liter.(see USEPA SDWR1 ). |
| Chloride (Cl) | 250 mg/L | USEPA SDWR1 for finished drinking water |
| 860 mg/L | KDHE acute aquatic life criteria | |
| Sulfate (SO4) | ||
|
250 mg/L |
USEPA SDWR1 for finished drinking water |
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| 1,000 mg/L | KDHE livestock watering criteria | |
| Fluoride (F) | 4.0 mg/L | USEPA MCL2 for fluoride in finished drinking water |
| Fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) | ||
|
200 col/100 mL |
KDHE primary contact (boating and swimming) recreation criteria during the spring, summer, and fall (April 1 through October 31 each year) for a geometric mean of five samples taken over a 30 day period. |
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2,000 col/ 100 mL |
KDHE primary contact (boating and swimming) recreation criteria during the winter (November 1 – March 31) for any single sample. |
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| 2,000 col/100 mL |
KDHE secondary contact (wading and fishing) recreation criteria at any time during the year for a single sample |
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| Escherichia coli bacteria (ECB) | KDHE regulation under development | |
| Atrazine (Atr) |
3 µg/L |
USEPA MCL2 for atrazine in finished drinking water as an annual average and KDHE chronic aquatic life criteria for atrazine |
| 170 mg/L | KDHE acute aquatic life criteria | |
| Total organic nitrogen (TON) |
2.18 mg/L as nitrogen |
USEPA proposed nutrient criteria for streams in Ecoregion VI3 |
| Total phosphorus (TP) |
0.076 mg/L as phosphorus |
USEPA proposed nutrient criteria for streams in Ecoregion VI3 |
| Arsenic (As) | 10 µg/L | USEPA MCL2 for arsenic in drinking water. |
| Water temperature (WT) | KDHE narrative criteria | A discharge from an artificial source shall not elevate the temperature above 32 degrees C (90 degrees F) and not raise the temperature more than 3 degrees C above natural conditions. Useful to determine chemical treatment of drinking water. |
| Specific conductance (SC) | none | Useful indicator for dissolved substances in water for chemical treatment. |
| Dissolved oxygen (DO) |
not less than 5.0 mg/L |
KDHE aquatic life support use criteria |
| pH |
not less than 6.5 and not more than 8.5 standard units |
KDHE aquatic life support use criteria |
| Turbidity (NTU) | 9.9 NTU | USEPA proposed nutrient criteria for streams in Ecoregion VI3 |
| Fluorescence (TCHL) | 7.33 µg/L as chlorophyll | USEPA nutrient criteria for streams Ecoregion VI3 |
| 1 SDWRs are nonenforceable criteria for drinking water
promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the states. The
criteria value is set
for aesthetic reasons. For example, concentrations of chloride that exceed 250
mg/L may have a salty taste to the water and sulfate concentrations exceeding
250 mg/L may have a laxative effects when consumed. 2 MCLs are enforceable criteria for drinking water promulgated by the USEPA and the states. The criteria level is assigned at a level where there is a known adverse effect on humans consuming water exceeding the criterion value. 3 USEPA Ecoregion VI encompasses only a small part of the state of Kansas. These proposed nutrient criteria for streams are being developed for the other ecoregions present in Kansas, |
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The alkalinity of water may be defined as the capacity for solutes in the water to react with and neutralize acid. Sources of alkalinity are limestone and decomposition of organic matter. Alkalinity is important in determining a stream’s ability to neutralize acidic pollution from rainfall or wastewater. The pH levels in low-alkalinity streams can decrease to a point that eliminates acid-intolerant forms of aquatic life. Fish are particularly affected by low pH water. Information of the alkalinity of water is used by water treatment managers to determine amounts of chemical to add during the treatment process.
Bicarbonate is one of the solutes in the water that buffers the pH of natural waters to react with and neutralize acid. Sources of bicarbonate are limestone and decomposition of organic matter. Bicarbonate is important in determining a stream’s ability to neutralize acidic pollution from rainfall or wastewater. Information of the alkalinity of water is used by water treatment managers to determine amounts of chemical to add during the treatment process.
The hardness of water is commonly expressed in an equivalent quantity of calcium carbonate that represents the majors cations found in water including calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Sources of hardness are from all different rock types. Information of the hardness of water is used by water treatment managers to determine amounts of chemical to add during the treatment process.
Dissolved solids commonly are used as a general indicator of water quality. Dissolved solids usually are composed of major ions; calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, and alkalinity originating from decomposition of soils and rocks. Large dissolved-solids concentrations can make water cloudy and give it a bitter taste. In addition, water with large dissolved-solids concentrations can produce scaly deposits and cause staining, wear, corrosion of pipes and fittings.
Criterion |
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USEPA SDWR for finished drinking water |
500 milligrams per liter |
Suspended sediment concentration (SSC)
Suspended sediment includes only the inorganic sediment suspended in water. Organic material is typically dissolved and not included in this measurement. SSC can cause problems for fish by clogging gills and for aquatic plants by limiting growth because of reduced light penetration. In addition, SSC provides a medium for the accumulation and transport of other constituents such as phosphorus and bacteria. Current water-quality criteria in Kansas for TSS is a narrative criteria that artificial sources of suspended solids cannot be added that would interfere with aquatic life.
Total suspended solids includes both sediment and organic material suspended in water. TSS can cause problems for fish by clogging gills and for aquatic plants by limiting growth because of reduced light penetration. In addition, TSS provides a medium for the accumulation and transport of other constituents such as phosphorus and bacteria. Current water-quality criteria in Kansas for TSS is a narrative criteria that artificial sources of suspended solids cannot be added that would interfere with aquatic life.
Calcium is a cation that is present in nearly all natural waters, although concentrations vary. Calcium is present in nearly all rocks and soils present and is frequently the dominant cation in natural waters. One of the more common sources of calcium in water is from the dissolution of limestone. High calcium concentrations are undesirable because the water would be less useable as a drinking- water source and can cause the formation of lime deposits in pipes. Information of the hardness of water is used by water treatment managers to determine amounts of chemical to add during the treatment process.
Sodium is a cation that is present in nearly all natural waters, although concentrations vary. Sodium is present in nearly all rocks and soils present and is frequently a cation in natural waters. One of the more common sources of sodium in water is from the dissolution of clay and felspar minerals. Sodium concentrations of more than 30-60 milligrams per liter can impart an objectionable taste to the water. Individuals on restricted sodium diets generally should maintain drinking water intake concentrations of 20 milligrams per liter or less. Information of the sodium of water is used by water treatment managers to determine amounts of chemical to add during the treatment process.
Chloride is present in nearly all natural waters, although concentrations are normally low. Chloride can originate from natural evaporate deposits of salt and from past oil and gas brine solutions. High chloride concentrations are undesirable because the water would be less useable as a drinking- water source.
Criteria |
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USEPA SDWR for finished drinking water |
250 milligrams per liter |
|
KDHE acute aquatic life criteria |
860 milligrams per liter |
Sulfate contributes to the dissolved solids in water and can be added to a stream through irrigation return flow, which could cause sulfate concentrations to be increase because of evapotranspiration. Sulfate originates from evaporate deposits such as gypsum and the oxidation of sulfide minerals such as pyrite. High sulfate concentrations are undesirable because the water would be less useable as a drinking-water source.
Criteria |
|
|
USEPA SDWR for finished drinking water |
250 milligrams per liter |
| KDHE livestock watering criterion | 1,000 milligrams per liter |
Fluoride is present in nearly all natural waters, although concentrations are normally less than 1 milligram per liter (Hem, 1985). Fluoride typically is present in mineral grains in rocks. Fluoride is added to many drinking water supplies to assist in making teeth harder.
The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in surface water indicates fecal contamination by warm-blooded mammals and possibly indicates the presence of other organisms that could cause disease. Primary contact recreation is defined as recreation where the body is immersed in surface water to the extent that some inadvertent ingestion of water is probable such as boating or swimming. Secondary contact recreation is defined as recreation where ingestion of the surface water is not probable such as wading, fishing, or hunting.
KDHE Criteria |
|
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Summer Primary Contact Recreation (April 1-Oct. 31) |
Geometric mean of 200 colonies per 100 milliliters for five samples collected at least 24 hours apart in a 30 day period |
|
Winter Primary Contact Recreation (Nov. 1- March 31) |
2,000 colonies per 100 milliliters |
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Secondary Contact Recreation |
2,000 colonies per 100 milliliters |
Escherichia coli bacteria (ECB)
The presence of Escherichia coli bacteria in surface water indicates fecal contamination by warm-blooded mammals and possibly indicates the presence of other organisms that could cause disease. Recreational contact criteria are being developed by KDHE.
Triazine (Atrazine) herbicides
Triazine herbicides, such as atrazine, are commonly applied to crops (corn and sorghum) to control the growth of weeds. These herbicides typically are applied to fields during the growing season and high concentrations in the surface water can be a result of rainfall and runoff.
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Criteria |
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USEPA MCL for atrazine in finished drinking water |
3 micrograms per liter as an annual average |
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KDHE chronic aquatic life criterion for atrazine |
3 micrograms per liter |
| KDHE acute aquatic life criterion for atrazine | 170 micrograms per liter |
Nitrogen is a nutrient necessary for growth and reproduction. Primary sources of nitrogen are fertilizers, animal wastes, and degradation of plant material. However, excessive inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to an aquatic environment can cause excessive algal growth resulting in eutrophication. When algal blooms die, concentrations of dissolved oxygen are depleted, which can stress aquatic organisms and may cause taste-and-odor problems in water supplies.
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Proposed Criteria |
|
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USEPA proposed for Ecoregion VI for streams |
2.18 milligrams per liter as nitrogen |
Phosphorus is a nutrient necessary for growth and reproduction. Large inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to the aquatic environment can cause excessive algal growth. When algal blooms die, concentrations of dissolved oxygen are depleted, which can stress aquatic organisms and may cause taste-and-odor problems in water supplies. To prevent excessive growth of plants and algae and accelerated eutrophication, criteria have been recommended by the USEPA.
|
Proposed Criteria |
|
|
USEPA proposed for Ecoregion VI for streams |
0.076 milligrams per liter as phosphorus |
Arsenic is a nonmetallic element that commonly is found at small concentrations in surface waters, but larger concentrations can be found in ground water because of increased solubility in the absence of oxygen. Arsenic is found included in sulfide minerals, such as pyrite, in association with iron hydroxides, associated with burning of coals, and as a pesticide or pesticide additive. The USEPA MCL for arsenic in finished drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter.
Temperature has an important effect on the density of water, the solubility of constituents in water, pH, specific conductance, the rate of chemical reactions, and biological activity in water (Radtke, Kurklin, and Wilde, 1998). Discharges to Kansas streams are not allowed to raise the temperature more than 3 degrees Celsius.
Specific conductance is a measure of the capacity of water to conduct an electrical current and is a function of the types and quantities of dissolved substances in water (Radtke, Kurklin, and Wilde, 1998). As concentrations of dissolved ions increase, specific conductance of the water increases.
The dissolved oxygen concentration in surface water is related primarily to atmospheric reaeration and photosynthetic activity of aquatic plants (Radtke,White, and others, 1998). DO is a significant factor in chemical reactions in water and the survival of aquatic organisms.
Criterion |
|
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KDHE aquatic life support |
not less than 5.0 milligrams per liter |
The pH of an aqueous solution is controlled by interrelated chemical reactions that produce or consume hydrogen ions (Hem,1992). The pH of a solution is a measure of the effective hydrogen-ion concentration activity (Radtke, Busenberg, and others, 1998). Solutions having a pH less than 7.0 are described as acidic; solutions with a pH greater than 7.0 are described as basic or alkaline.
Criterion |
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KDHE aquatic life support |
not less than 6.5 and not more than 8.5 standard units |
Turbidity is a water-quality term that refers to the cloudy appearance of water and is caused by particles or “suspended matter.” Turbidity is measured by quantifying the amount of light scattered by particles in the water. Although turbid water is not necessarily harmful, it can be a sign of more serious problems. Turbidity particles may adsorb other harmful contaminants. Turbidity particles known to be harmful themselves include asbestos, lead, bacteria and viruses, and protozoan cysts such as Giardia and Cryptosiporidium.
Proposed Criterion |
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USEPA proposed for Ecoregion VI for Streams |
9.9 nephelometric turbidity units |
Fluorescence of water is measured to estimate the chlorophyll concentration in the water. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants and algae. Chlorophyll measurements are used to dertermine how much algae is in the water. When a beam of light from the meter is shown on the water at a specific wavelength of 470 nanometers, chlorophyll and some other organic matter in the water fluoresce (emit or reflect) another wavelength of light at 650 to700 nanometers. A photodetector measures the amount of fluoresced light. That measurement then is converted to an equivalent measure of chlorophyll.
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Proposed Criterion |
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USEPA Ecoregion VI Nutrient Criteria for Streams |
7.33 micrograms per liter |
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Last modified: Thursday, May 8, 2003