15A NCAC 02B .0221. TIDAL SALT WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR CLASS SA WATERS

The following water quality standards apply to surface waters that are used for shellfishing for market purposes and are classified SA.  Water quality standards applicable to Class SC and SB waters as described in Rule .0220 and Rule .0222 of this Section also apply to Class SA waters.

(1)           Best Usage of Waters:  shellfishing for market purposes and any other usage specified by the "SB" or "SC" classification;

(2)           Conditions Related to Best Usage:  waters shall meet the current sanitary and bacteriological standards as adopted by the Commission for Public Health and shall be suitable for shellfish culture.  Any source of water pollution which precludes any of these uses, including their functioning as PNAs, on either a short‑term or a long‑term basis shall be considered to be violating a water quality standard;

(3)           Quality Standards applicable to Class SA Waters:

(a)           Floating solids, settleable solids, or sludge deposits:  none attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes;

(b)           Sewage:  none;

(c)           Industrial wastes, or other wastes:  none shall be allowed that are not effectively treated to the satisfaction of the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Division of Environmental Health;

(d)           Organisms of coliform group:  fecal coliform group not to exceed a median MF of 14/100 ml and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed an MF count of 43/100 ml in those areas most probably exposed to fecal contamination during the most unfavorable hydrographic and pollution conditions.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143‑214.1; 143‑215.3(a)(1);

Eff. October 1, 1995;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2007.