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B.C. Reg. 375/96 O.C. 1480/96 and M271/2004 | Deposited December 16, 1996 effective April 1, 1997 |
[includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 4/2014, January 31, 2014]
[en. B.C. Reg. 324/2004, s. 68; am. B.C. Regs. 405/2004;
76/2005;
239/2007, s. 7; 343/2008, ss. 15 and 16.; 97/2011, s. 1; 6/2013, s.
24.]
Generic Numerical Water Standards 1
COLUMN I | COLUMN II | COLUMN III | COLUMN IV | COLUMN V |
Substance |
Aquatic
Life2 (AW) |
Irrigation2,3 (IW) |
Livestock2 (LW) |
Drinking
Water4 (DW) |
Inorganic Substances | ||||
aluminum | 5 000 | 5 000 | 9 50056,57 | |
ammonia | 1 310 @ pH ≥ 8.55,6 | |||
3 700 @ pH 8.0 - < 8.55,6 | ||||
11 300 @ pH 7.5 - < 8.05,6 | ||||
18 500 @ pH 7.0 - < 7.55,6 | ||||
18 400 @ pH < 7.05,6 | ||||
2 300 @ pH ≥ 8.57,8 | ||||
6 850 @ pH 8.0 - < 8.57,8 | ||||
20 000 @ pH 7.5 - < 8.07,8 | ||||
64 000 @ pH 7.0 - < 7.57,8 | ||||
200 000 @ pH < 7.07,8 | ||||
antimony | 200 | 6 | ||
arsenic | 506, 1258 | 100 | 25 | 10 |
barium | 10 0006, 5 0008 | 1 000 | ||
beryllium | 536, 1 0008 | 100 | 100 | |
boron | 50 000 | 500-6 0009 | 5 000 | 5 000 |
bromate | 10 | |||
cadmium | 0.1 @ H ≤ 306,10 | 5 | 80 | 5 |
0.3 @ H = 30 - < 906,10 | ||||
0.5 @ H = 90 - < 1506,10 | ||||
0.6 @ H = 150 - < 2106,10 | ||||
18 | ||||
calcium | 1 000 mg/L | |||
chloride | 1 500 mg/L6 | 100 mg/L49 | 600 mg/L | 250 mg/L11 |
chlorine | 206, 308 | 1 000 | ||
chromium | 106,12, 906,13 | 812, 513 | 5012,13 | 50 |
1508,12, 5608,13 | ||||
cobalt | 40 | 50 | 1 000 | |
copper | 20 @ H < 506,10 | 200 | 300 | 1 00011 |
30 @ H = 50 - < 756,10 | ||||
40 @ H = 75 - < 1006,10 | ||||
50 @ H = 100 - < 1256,10 | ||||
60 @ H = 125 - < 1506,10 | ||||
70 @ H = 150 - < 1756,10 | ||||
80 @ H = 175 - < 2006,10 | ||||
90 @ H ≥ 2006,10 | ||||
208 | ||||
cyanide (WAD)14 | 506, 108 | |||
cyanide (SAD)15 | 200 | |||
fluoride | 2 000 @ H< 506,10 | 1 000 | 1 00016 | 1 500 |
3 000 @ H ≥ 506,10 | ||||
15 0008 | ||||
iron | 5 00058,59 | 6 50056,57,58,59 | ||
lead | 40 @ H < 506,10 | 200 | 100 | 10 |
50 @ H = 50 - < 1006,10 | ||||
60 @ H = 100 - < 2006,10 | ||||
110 @ H = 200 - < 3006,10 | ||||
160 @ H ≥ 3006,10 | ||||
208 | ||||
lithium | 2 50049 | 5 000 | ||
magnesium | 100 mg/L11 | |||
manganese | 20060,61 | 55056,57,60,61 | ||
mercury | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
molybdenum | 10 000 | 10 - 3017 | 50 | 250 |
monochloramine | 518 | 3 00019 | ||
nickel | 250 @ H < 606,10 | 200 | 1 000 | |
650 @ H = 60 - < 1206,10 | ||||
1 100 @ H = 120 - < 1806,10 | ||||
1 500 @ H ≥ 1806,10 | ||||
838 | ||||
nitrate (as N) | 400 mg/L20 | 100 mg/L21 | 10 00021 | |
nitrate and nitrite (as N) | 400 mg/L20 | 100 mg/L21 | 10 00021 | |
nitrite (as N) | 200 (Cl < 2 mg/L)22 | 10 000 | 3 200 | |
400 (Cl = 2 - < 4 mg/L)22 | ||||
600 (Cl = 4 - < 6 mg/L)22 | ||||
800 (Cl = 6 - < 8 mg/L)22 | ||||
1 000 (Cl = 8 - < 10 mg/L)22 | ||||
2 000 (Cl ≥ 10 mg/L)22 | ||||
salinity 55 | 15 g/L6,23,24 | |||
10 g/L if natural salinity is 0 - < 3.5g/L8,23,25 |
||||
20 g/L if natural salinity is 3.5 - < 13.5g/L8,23,25 |
||||
40 g/L if natural salinity is 13.5 - 35g/L8,23,25 |
||||
selenium | 106, 5408 | 2026, 5027 | 50 | 10 |
silver | 0.5 @ H ≤ 1006,10 | |||
15 @ H > 1006,10 | ||||
158 | ||||
sodium | 200 mg/L11 | |||
sulphate | 1 000 mg/L | 1 000 mg/L | 500 mg/L11 | |
sulphide (as H2S) | 20 | 5011 | ||
thallium | 3 | |||
titanium | 1 000 | |||
uranium | 3 0006, 1 0008 | 10 | 200 | 20 |
vanadium | 100 | 100 | ||
zinc | 75 @ H ≤ 906,10 | 1 000 @ pH ≤ 6.028 | 2 000 | 5 00011 |
150 @ H = 90 - < 1006,10 | 2 000 @ pH 6.0 - < 7.028 | |||
900 @ H = 100 - < 2006,10 | 5 000 @ pH ≥ 7.028 | |||
1 650 @ H = 200 - < 3006,10 | ||||
2 400 @ H = 300 - < 4006,10 | ||||
1008 | ||||
Miscellaneous Inorganic and Organic Substances |
||||
acrolein | 329 | |||
aniline | 20 | |||
methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) | 34 0006, 4 4008 | 11 000 | 15 | |
nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) | 400 | |||
nonaqueous phase liquids | not present30 | not present30 | not present30 | not present30 |
VPHw | 1 50031 | |||
LEPHw | 50032 | |||
VHw6-10 | 15 00033,34 | 15 00033,34 | 15 00033,34 | 15 00033,34 |
EPHw10-19 | 5 00033,35 | 5 00033,35 | 5 00033,35 | 5 00033,35 |
Organic Substances Chlorinated Hydrocarbons |
||||
chlorinated aliphatics
hexachlorobutadiene, 1,3 |
1 |
|||
hexachlorocyclohexane36 | 0.1 | 4 | 4 | |
vinyl chloride | 2 | |||
chlorinated benzenes dichlorobenzene, 1,2- |
76, 4208 |
311 |
||
dichlorobenzene, 1,3- | 1 500 | |||
dichlorobenzene, 1,4- | 260 | 111 | ||
hexachlorobenzene | 0.5 | |||
monochlorobenzene | 136, 1208 | 3011 | ||
pentachlorobenzene | 60 | |||
tetrachlorobenzene, 1,2,3,4- | 18 | |||
trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3- | 80 | |||
trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4- | 2406, 548 | |||
chlorinated ethanes dichloroethane, 1,2- |
1 000 |
5 |
5 |
|
chlorinated ethenes dichloroethylene, 1,1- (dichloroethene, 1,1-) |
14 |
|||
tetrachloroethylene (tetrachloroethene, 1,1,2,2-) |
1 100 | 30 | ||
trichloroethylene (trichloroethene, 1,1,2-) |
200 | 50 | 5 | |
Glycols | ||||
ethylene glycol | 1 920 mg/L | |||
propylene glycol, 1,2- | 5 000 mg/L | |||
Halogenated Methanes | ||||
bromodichloromethane (BDCM) | 100 | 16 | ||
dibromochloromethane (DBCM) | 100 | 10037 | ||
dichloromethane (methylene chloride) |
980 |
50 |
50 |
|
tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride) |
130 |
5 |
5 |
|
tribromomethane (bromoform) |
100 |
10037 | ||
trichloromethane (chloroform) |
20 |
100 |
10037 | |
Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MAHs) |
||||
benzene | 4 0006,38, 1 0008,38 | 5 | ||
ethylbenzene | 2 0006,38, 2 5008,38 | 2.411 | ||
styrene | 720 | |||
toluene | 3906,38,39, 3 3008,38,39 | 2411 | ||
xylenes (total) | 30011 | |||
Organotins | ||||
di-n-butyltin | 0.8 | |||
tributyltin | 0.086, 0.058,29 | 250 | ||
tricyclohexyltin | 25040 | |||
triethyltin | 440 | |||
triphenyltin | 0.240 | 80040 | ||
Phenolic Substances | ||||
chlorinated phenols
dichlorophenol |
2.5 — 34041 | 0.311 | 0.311 | |
monochlorophenol | 8.5 — 65041 | 0.111 | 0.111 | |
pentachlorophenol | 1 — 27.541 | 3011 | 3011 | |
tetrachlorophenol | 2 — 18041 | 111 | 111 | |
trichlorophenol | 1 — 27041 | 211 | 211 | |
nonchlorinated phenols
nonchlorinated phenols (total) |
10 |
|||
Phthalic Acid Esters | ||||
dibutyl phthalate (DBP) | 190 | |||
di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) | 160 | |||
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) |
||||
acenaphthene | 60 | |||
acridine | 0.5 | |||
anthracene | 1 | |||
benzo[a]anthracene | 1 | |||
benzo[a]pyrene | 0.1 | 0.01 | ||
chrysene | 1 | |||
fluoranthene | 2 | |||
fluorene | 120 | |||
naphthalene | 10 | |||
phenanthrene | 3 | |||
pyrene | 0.2 | |||
quinoline | 34 | |||
Pesticides | ||||
aldicarb | 106, 1.58 | 54.942, 67.543 | 11 | 9 |
aldrin and dieldrin | 0.04 | 0.7 | 0.7 | |
atrazine | 206, 1008 | 10 | 60 | 5 |
azinphos-methyl | 20 | 20 | ||
bendiocarb | 40 | 40 | ||
bromocil | 50 | 0.244, 0.645 | 1 100 | |
bromoxynil | 50 | 0.3543 | 11 | 5 |
captan | 28 | 10 | ||
carbaryl | 26, 38 | 1 100 | 90 | |
carbofuran | 18 | 45 | 90 | |
chlordane | 0.06 | 7 | 7 | |
chlorothalonil | 26, 48 | 5.8 | 170 | |
chlorpyrifos | 0.0356, 0.028 | 24 | 90 | |
cyanazine | 20 | 0.5 | 10 | 10 |
2,4-D46 | 40 | 100 | 100 | |
DDT47 | 0.0148 | 3048 | 3048 | |
deltamethrin | 0.129 | 2.5 | ||
diazinon | 0.03 | 14 | 20 | |
dicamba | 100 | 0.129 | 122 | 120 |
diclofop-methyl | 61 | 0.18 | 9 | 9 |
dimethoate | 62 | 3 | 20 | |
dinoseb | 0.5 | 1649, 4650, 9345 | 15051 | 10 |
diquat | 70 | 70 | ||
diuron | 150 | 150 | ||
endosulfan | 0.2 | |||
endrin | 0.023 | 0.2 | ||
glyphosate | 650 | 280 | 280 | |
heptachlor & heptachlor epoxide |
0.1 |
3 |
3 |
|
lindane | 0.1 | 4 | 4 | |
linuron | 70 | 0.529,44, 3.345 | ||
malathion | 1 | 190 | 190 | |
MCPA52 | 266, 428 | 0.529 | 25 | 100 |
methoxychlor | 900 | 900 | ||
metolachlor | 80 | 28 | 50 | 50 |
metribuzin | 10 | 0.5 | 80 | 80 |
paraquat (as dichloride) | 10 | 10 | ||
parathion | 50 | 50 | ||
phorate | 2 | 2 | ||
picloram | 290 | 0.5 | 190 | 190 |
simazine | 100 | 0.5 | 10 | 10 |
2,4,5-T53 | 20 | 20 | ||
tebuthiuron | 16 | 229,45 | 130 | |
temephos | 280 | 280 | ||
terbufos | 1 | 1 | ||
toxaphene54 | 0.08 | 5 | ||
triallate | 2.4 | 230 | 230 | |
trifluralin | 1 | 45 | 45 |
Footnotes
1. | All values are in μg/L unless otherwise stated. Substances must be analyzed using methods specified in a director's protocol or alternate methods acceptable to a director. |
2. | (a) Aquatic life standards assume minimum 1:10 dilution available. Aquatic life
standards are to protect freshwater and marine life unless otherwise indicated. (b) Standards for all organic substances are for total substance concentrations. Any water sample to be analyzed for organic substances should not be filtered. (c) Standards for surface water samples to be analyzed for heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions are total substance concentrations. In addition, it is recommended that surface water samples being analyzed for heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions should also be analyzed for dissolved substance concentrations. (d) Standards for groundwater samples for heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions are for dissolved substance concentrations. In addition, it is recommended that groundwater samples being analyzed for metals, metalloids and inorganic ions should be analyzed for total substance concentrations. |
3. | Applies to irrigation of all soil types. |
4. | Drinking water standards are for unfiltered samples obtained at the point of consumption. Heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions are expressed as total substance concentrations unless otherwise indicated. |
5. | Standard varies with pH and temperature. 10ºC is assumed. Consult director for further advice. |
6. | Standard to protect freshwater aquatic life. |
7. | Standard varies with pH, temperature and salinity. 10ºC and 10 g/L is assumed. Consult director for further advice. |
8. | Standard to protect marine and/or estuarine aquatic life. |
9. | Standard varies depending on crop as follows: |
10. | H means water hardness in mg/L CaCO3. |
11. | Standard to protect against taste and odour concerns. |
12. | Standard is specific to chromium VI. |
13. | Standard is specific to chromium III. |
14. | WAD means weak acid dissociable. |
15. | SAD means strong acid dissociable. |
16. | Standard varies with type of livestock. Consult director for further advice. |
17. | Standard varies with crop, soil drainage and Mo:Cu ratio. Consult director for further advice. |
18. | Substance is extremely labile in water. Extended hold times are inappropriate. It is recommended that samples be analysed in the field or immediately upon receipt by laboratory. |
19. | Standard is specific for total chloramines. |
20. | Standard may not protect all amphibians. Consult director for further advice. |
21. | Where nitrate and nitrite are present, total nitrate plus nitrite-nitrogen should not exceed this value. |
22. | Standard varies with chloride concentration. Consult director for further advice. |
23. | Standard applies only if minimum 1:10 dilution available in receiving waterbody. |
24. | Freshwater is defined as water having a natural salinity < 1.5 g/L. |
25. | Standard varies with natural salinity of receiving waterbody. |
26. | Standard for continuous applications on crops. |
27. | Standard for intermittent application on crops. |
28. | Standard varies with soil pH. |
29. | Standard has been adjusted based on the reference analytical detection limit for the substance. The toxicologically-based value is less than the reference analytical detection limit for the substance. Therefore, the standard has been set to equal the reference analytical detection limit. |
30. | Water must be remediated so that nonaqueous phase liquids are not present in quantities in excess of that acceptable to a director. |
31. | VPHw includes volatile petroleum hydrocarbons with the exception of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes. This generic standard may be modified by developing a site-specific standard. Consult director for further advice. |
32. | LEPHw includes light extractable petroleum hydrocarbons with the exception of acenaphthene, acridine, anthracene, fluorene, naphthalene and phenanthrene. This generic standard may be modified by developing a site-specific standard. Consult director for further advice. |
33. | Standard is applicable at all sites, irrespective of water use. |
34. | VHw6-10 includes volatile petroleum hydrocarbons. |
35. | EPHW10-19 includes light extractable petroleum hydrocarbons. |
36. | Standard is applicable to all hexachlorocyclohexane isomers. |
37. | Standard is specific for total trihalomethanes. Sum of the concentrations of bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), tribromomethane (bromoform) and trichloromethane (chloroform) must not exceed the standard specified. |
38. | This generic standard may be modified by developing a site-specific standard. Consult director for further advice. |
39. | Standard comes into effect January 1, 2002. Until that date applicable standard is 3 000 μg/L. |
40. | No reference analytical method has been specified for substance. Consult director for further advice. |
41. | Standard varies with pH, temperature and substance isomer. Consult director for further advice. |
42. | Standard to protect crops other than legumes. |
43. | Standard to protect legumes. |
44. | Standard to protect crops other than cereals, tame hays and pasture. |
45. | Standard to protect cereals, tame hays and pasture crops. |
46. | 2,4-D is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. |
47. | DDT is 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane. |
48. | Includes DDT metabolites. |
49. | Standard to protect all types of crops. |
50. | Standard to protect cereal crops and hay. |
51. | Standard to protect lactating dairy animals. |
52. | MCPA is 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid. |
53. | 2,4,5-T is 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid. |
54. | Standard is applicable to all toxaphene isomers. |
55. | Values of salinity for a sample provided in g/L or on the Practical Salinity Scale (PSS) are equivalent. |
56. | Standard is specific to protection of human health. Standard has been derived based on a toxicological reference value (TRV) protective of adults. Standard may not adequately protect other age groups. |
57. | Standard may not address aesthetic (organoleptic) concerns related to drinking water quality. Water treatment may be required. |
58. | Standard applies to a site used for an industrial or commercial purpose or activity
set out in Schedule 2 as (a) item A6, A7, A8 or A11, (b) item C1, C2, C3, C4 or C6, (c) item D2, D3, D5 or D6, (d) item E4, or (e) item H14. |
59. | Standard applies to a site used for an industrial or commercial purpose or activity set out in Schedule 2 as item H11 or H20 but only if the site was used for that purpose or activity in conjunction with or as a result of the site also being used for at least one of the purposes or activities set out in footnote 58. |
60. | Standard applies to a site used for an industrial or commercial purpose or activity
set out in Schedule 2 as (a) item B1, (b) item C1, C3 or C4, (c) item D2, D3, D5 or D6, (d) item E4, or (e) item H3 or H14. |
61. | Standard applies to a site used for an industrial or commercial purpose or activity set out in Schedule 2 as item H11 or H20 but only if the site was used for that purpose or activity in conjunction with or as a result of the site also being used for at least one of the purposes or activities set out in footnote 60. |
Contents | Parts 1 to 18 | Schedule 1 | Schedule 1.1 | Schedule 2 | Schedule 3 | Schedule 4 | Schedule 5 | Schedule 6 | Schedule 7 | Schedule 8 | Schedule 9 | Schedule 10 | Schedule 11
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