Question

How are water quality standards determined? Distinguish between water quality criteria pollutants and maximum contaminant levels.

Short answer

Water quality standards are determined by identifying the use of the water and developing criteria to protect those uses. Water quality criteria pollutants are substances that have guidelines based on the potential to impact human health and aquatic life. Maximum Contaminant Levels are the highest allowable concentrations of specific contaminants in drinking water, regulated by the EPA. The main difference lies in that water quality criteria pollutants reflect ecosystem health while MCLs are specific standards to protect human health.

Step-by-step solution

Explanation of Water Quality Standards Determination

Water quality standards are determined by identifying the use of the water body and then developing criteria to protect those uses. The use can be recreation, protection and propagation of fish, wildlife, and their habitat or even for source of drinking water. After identifying the use, the criteria, which can be either narrative or numeric, are developed. Narrative criteria portray desired water quality conditions and numeric criteria outline specific measurable parameters.

Define Water Quality Criteria Pollutants

Water Quality Criteria Pollutants are elements or substances that have guidelines to protect water quality. They are based on the potential to impact human health and aquatic life. This can contain a wide range of pollutants including bacteria, chemicals, and physical factors such as temperature and pH. The levels of these pollutants are usually regulated to prevent harm to the environment or health risks.

Define Maximum Contaminant Levels

Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) refer to the highest allowable concentrations of specific contaminants in water that is delivered to a user of a public water system. These set levels are legally enforceable standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They take into account both the health risks of the contaminant and the feasibility of treatment.

Distinguish Between Water Quality Criteria Pollutants and Maximum Contaminant Levels

While both water quality criteria pollutants and maximum contaminant levels are related to the quality of water, they address different issues. Water quality criteria pollutants consider a broad range of potential pollutants that may affect water quality and are often reflective of ecosystem health. On the other hand, MCLs are specific standards imposed on public water systems to limit the concentration of specific contaminants that can impair human health.