Greg Denton

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Division of Water Pollution Control

Once established and approved, water quality standards provide the foundation for three critical departmental activities:

Water Quality Assessment - Data from streams and lakes across the state are compared to clean water goals. Impaired streams are identified. Output: 303d List and 305(b) Reports.

Allowable In-stream Concentrations. The maximum allowable concentration in the water column. Output: NPDES permits.

Allowable Pollutant Loadings Over Time. Output: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies.

Substantive Changes:

Stream-use Classifications for Surface Waters [Chapter 1200-4-4]

None proposed.

Reason: Comments will be accepted.

Substantive Changes:

Domestic Water Supply Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(1)]

None proposed.

Reason: No recent revisions to

MCLs.

Substantive Changes:

General Considerations [1200-4-3-.0(1)(6)]

Wet weather conveyance definition being revised. (Different regulatory track.)

Reason: Consistency with state law.

Substantive Changes: Fish and Aquatic Life Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(3)]

Revise acute selenium criterion to incorporate formula based on selenate and selenite fractions. (Chronic criterion not proposed for revision.)

Reason: Match EPA National Criterion

Substantive Changes: Recreational Criteria [1200-4-3-.03(4)]

Add selenium criteria. Modify existing criteria for acrolein and phenol.

Reason: Match EPA National Criteria

Substantive Changes: Definitions [1200-4-3-.04(9)]

Add definition for “measurable degradation.”

Reason: Term referred to in antidegradation policy. (Unavailable conditions and ONRW)

Substantive Changes: Interpretation of Criteria [1200-4-3-.05(7)]

Add words “or in water quality assessments” to paragraph about natural conditions.

Reason: Make it clear that criteria violations due to natural conditions are not pollution.

Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06]

General reordering of paragraphs.

Reason: More logically follow the permit application process.

Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(2) ]

Under Unavailable Conditions incorporate concept of measurable degradation.

Reason: Eliminate potential confusion over whether de minimis levels of degradation can be allowed.

Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(5) ]

Delete paragraphs (6) and (7).

Reason: Paragraphs (6) and (7) were out of place and provide information already found

elsewhere (in other regulations).

Substantive Changes: Antidegradation Policy [1200-4-3-.06(4)(d) & (6)]

Delete paragraphs dealing with declaratory order contested cases for ETWs. Adds section (6) for permit appeals process which stays the effectiveness of the proposed permit.

Reason: Update to make the Antidegradation Policy consistent with the third-party appeal law passed by the general assembly.

Questions?

gregory.denton@tn.gov