New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 9C - GROUND WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Subchapter 1 - GROUND WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Section 7:9C-1.6 - Exceptions to the classification system

(a) The Department may establish a Classification Exception Area only when the Department determines that constituent standards for a given classification are not being met or will not be met in a localized area due to: natural quality; localized effects of a discharge approved through a NJPDES permit action; pollution caused by human activity within a contaminated site as defined by the Department in the context of an applicable regulatory program (for example, Site Remediation Program); or an ACL as approved by the Department pursuant to NJPDES. In the context of an applicable regulatory program, the Department shall determine or describe appropriate boundaries for each Classification Exception Area and include the written description of the boundaries in the appropriate permit action along with specifications as to which constituents the exception applies. Classification Exception Areas may only be established when constituent standards are not being met or will not be met due to the conditions set forth above and shall not be established for the purpose of sanctioning violations of constituent standards.

(b) Where natural quality for any constituent contravenes the criteria established in 7:9C-1.7 such that the primary designated use is not viable within a limited area, the Department may establish a Classification Exception Area within which the Department shall define appropriate designated uses and constituent standards, based upon the natural quality. Such Classification Exception Areas shall remain in effect as long as the primary designated use of the original classification area is not viable using ground water at natural quality.

(c) Where the Department defines, through a NJPDES permit action, an area of temporary noncompliance with specific constituent standards related to the localized effects of a permitted discharge, the ground water within that area of noncompliance shall be a Classification Exception Area for those constituents only. All other constituent standards shall apply within the Classification Exception Area. All designated uses in these Classification Exception Areas will be suspended during the life of the Classification Exception Area. Constituent standards of the surrounding classification area shall apply at the perimeter of the Classification Exception Area for the specified constituents. The Classification Exception Area shall have the same life as the approved NJPDES permit action, after which the original classification, designated uses and constituent standards shall apply.

(d) Where a discharge has resulted or will result in localized ground water quality that contravenes one or more constituent standards, the Department may define that area as a Classification Exception Area for specified constituents pursuant to (or in accordance with) a NJPDES permit action or the remediation of a contaminated site in the context of an applicable regulatory program. All other constituent standards shall apply within the Classification Exception Area. All designated uses in each Classification Exception Area will be suspended during the life of the Classification Exception Area. Constituent standards of the surrounding classification area shall apply at the perimeter of the Classification Exception Area for the specified constituents. The Department shall restrict or require the restriction of potable ground water uses within any Classification Exception Area where there is or will be an exceedance of the Primary Drinking Water Quality Standards (in N.J.A.C. 7:10). Where the Department defines the Classification Exception Area through a NJPDES permit action, the Classification Exception Area shall have the same life as the approved NJPDES permit action, after which the original classification, designated uses and constituent standards shall apply. Other regulatory actions creating the Classification Exception Area shall specify the longevity of the exception, after which the original classification, designated uses and constituent standards shall be applicable.