15A NCAC 02B .0219      FRESH SURFACE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR CLASS B WATERS

The following water quality standards shall apply to surface waters that are for primary contact recreation as defined in Rule .0202 of this Section, and are classified as Class B waters. Water quality standards applicable to Class C waters as described in Rule .0211 of this Section also apply to Class B waters.

(1)           The best usage of Class B waters shall be primary contact recreation and any other best usage specified for Class C waters.

(2)           Class B waters shall meet the standards of water quality for outdoor bathing places as specified in Item (3) of this Rule and shall be of sufficient size and depth for primary contact recreation. In assigning the B classification to waters intended for primary contact recreation, the Commission shall consider the relative proximity of sources of water pollution and the potential hazards involved in locating swimming areas close to sources of water pollution and shall not assign this classification to waters in which such water pollution could result in a hazard to public health. Sources of water pollution that preclude any of these uses on either a short‑term or long‑term basis shall be deemed to violate a water quality standard.

(3)           Quality standards applicable to Class B waters:

(a)           Sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes: none shall be allowed that are not treated to the satisfaction of the Commission. In determining the degree of treatment required for such waste when discharged into waters to be used for bathing, the Commission shall consider the quality and quantity of the sewage and wastes involved and the proximity of such discharges to waters in this class. Discharges in the immediate vicinity of bathing areas shall not be allowed if the Director determines that the waste cannot be treated to ensure the protection of primary contact recreation;

(b)           Fecal coliforms shall not exceed a geometric mean of 200/100 ml (MF count) based on at least five samples taken over a 30 day period, nor exceed 400/100 ml in more than 20 percent of the samples examined during such period.

(4)           Wastewater discharges to waters classified as B shall meet the reliability requirements specified in 15A NCAC 02H .0124. Discharges to waters where a primary contact recreational use is determined by the Director to be attainable shall be required to meet water quality standards and reliability requirements to protect this use concurrently with reclassification efforts.

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

Eff. January 1, 1990;

Amended Eff. October 1, 1995;

Readopted Eff. November 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2022.