Current through Vol. 41, No. 13, March 15, 2024
(a)
Purpose. The rules of this Subchapter provide protocols which
shall be used to monitor ambient water quality in sources for Public Water
Supply (PWS) systems being augmented with IPR Source Water. The goals of the
waterbody monitoring are as follows:
(1) To
protect public health and the environment by monitoring for changes in the
receiving waterbody;
(2) To protect
the beneficial uses of the receiving waterbody by performing trend monitoring
on parameters that are evaluated in use attainment assessments; and
(3) To evaluate modeling outcomes for all
waterbodies and to monitor the assimilative capacity for SWS-R
waterbodies.
(b)
Testing Procedures. Testing procedures for the monitoring of IPR
receiving waterbodies shall be in accordance with OAC
252:740-1-4.
(c)
Quantitative data. Data
collected for the monitoring of IPR receiving waterbodies shall use analytical
methods listed at 40 CFR Part 136 or other EPA-approved methods. Where there is
no approved analytical method listed, the applicant shall fully describe the
method used for DEQ review and obtain written approval prior to utilizing these
data. All data submitted shall be defensible analytical data. Reporting and
recordkeeping shall be in accordance with Subchapter 7 of this
Chapter.
(d)
Measurable
levels and data characterization. Measurable levels for the monitoring
of IPR receiving waterbodies shall be less than or equal to the MQLs
established in Appendix B of OAC 252:690. Where there is no established MQL,
the applicant shall fully describe the method and MQL used for DEQ review and
obtain approval prior to utilizing these data. Where a monitored parameter has
an established MQL, DEQ shall include a provision in the permit requiring
measurable levels be less than or equal to the MQL. Data shall be characterized
as outlined in OAC
252:690-3-2.
(e)
Agency discretion to consider
additional data. An agency with jurisdiction may consider other relevant
data meeting the requirements of this Subchapter in addition to that required
by the rules in this Subchapter for any particular parameter.
(f)
Parameter Groups. There are
ten parameter groups, as described in this Subsection. The permittee shall
monitor the waterbody for specific parameters subject to DEQ approval.
(1)
In-Situ. In-situ parameters
include dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH, electro-conductivity (EC), and
oxidation/reduction potential (ORP);
(2)
Nutrients. Nutrient
parameters include total nitrogen (TN), nitrite (as N), nitrate (as N), total
Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia, total phosphorus (TP), and dissolved reactive
phosphorus, also known as ortho-phosphorus (OP);
(3)
Algal biomass and related
products. Algal biomass and product parameters include chlorophyll-a,
pheophyton, phytoplankton, phycocyanin, and cyanotoxins. Taxonomy and
phytoplankton density are also included;
(4)
Minerals. Minerals include
TDS, chloride, and sulfate. Alkalinity is included in this parameter group for
monitoring purposes;
(5)
Metals. Metals include inorganic toxics listed in Appendix G of
OAC 252:730, inorganic chemicals included in the National Primary Drinking
Water Regulations, and metals included in the National Secondary Drinking Water
Regulations. Hardness is included in this parameter group for monitoring
purposes;
(6)
Microorganisms. Microorganism parameters include E. coli, total
coliform, viruses, giardia, cryptosporidium, and legionella;
(7)
Toxics. Toxics include the
organic toxics listed in Appendix G of OAC 252:730 and organic chemicals
included in the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations;
(8)
Constituents of Emerging
Concern. CECs are defined in Subchapter 1 of this Chapter. For
monitoring purposes, CECs are sorted into functional groups represented by at
least one surrogate;
(9)
Other drinking water parameters. National primary drinking water
regulations list maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or action levels for
disinfection byproducts, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals,
microorganisms, and radionuclides. Maximum residual disinfection levels (MRDLs)
are listed for disinfectants. For monitoring purposes, the drinking water
parameters are those parameters listed in the National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations that are not addressed in one of the other nine parameter groups;
and
(10)
Total Organic
Carbon. TOC is the amount of carbon found in an organic
compound.
