Update on Federal Actions Related to Copper in Water Jim Pendergast USEPA -- HQ WQS Program
Topics for Today National extent of copper impairments National copper water quality criterion California Toxics Rule
Number of Copper Impairments by State (from (d) lists) Undefined metals identified More than 50 Source: EPA TMDL web site
Top 10 States: Number of Copper Impairments (from (d) lists) (total of 681 from 59,783 reports) Source: EPA TMDL web site
National 2003 Draft Marine Copper Criteria Previous2004 Update Acute* (24 hr avg) 4.8 ug/l3.1 ug/l Chronic* (4 day avg) 3.1 ug/l1.9 ug/l *Not to be exceeded more than once every three years
National 2003 Draft Marine Copper Criteria Why the change? –New data from literature search (mostly Mytilus spp., a mollusk) –Halved Final Acute Value to account for commercially and recreationally important mussels Why not use the Biotic Ligand Model? –Only developed for fresh water When will the draft be finalized? –Projected for early 2006
Changes to CA Toxics Rule California Toxics Rule (CTR) published by EPA in May 2000 –Sets marine acute criterion of 4.8 ug/l and chronic criterion of 3.1 ug/l, as modified by water effect ratio EPA withdrew rule for south SFB in Nov –CA site specific objectives of 10.8 ug/l acute and 6.9 ug/l chronic now apply EPA now revising CTR for mercury and cadmium –But no plans to update for copper yet