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Home My WebLink AboutChapter 5 Chapter 5 North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards 5.1 Description of Surface Water Classifications and Standards North Carolina’s Water Quality Standards Program adopted classifications and water quality standards for all the state’s river basins by 1963. The program remains consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act and its amendments. Water quality classifications and standards have also been modified to promote protection of surface water supply watersheds, high quality waters, and the protection of unique and special pristine waters with outstanding resource values. 5.1.1 Statewide Classifications All surface waters in the state are assigned a primary classification that is appropriate to the best uses of that water. In addition to primary classifications, surface waters may be assigned a supplemental classification. Most supplemental classifications have been developed to provide special protection to sensitive or highly valued resource waters. Table 14 briefly describes the best uses of each classification. A full description is available in the document titled: Classifications and Water Quality Standards Applicable to Surface Waters of North Carolina. Information on this subject is also available at DWQ’s website: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/wqhome.html. 5.1.2 Statewide Water Quality Standards Each primary and supplemental classification is assigned a set of water quality standards that establish the level of water quality that must be maintained in the waterbody to support the uses associated with each classification. Some of the standards, particularly for HQW and ORW waters, outline protective management strategies aimed at controlling point and nonpoint source pollution. These strategies are discussed briefly below. The standards for C and SC waters establish the basic protection level for all state surface waters. The other primary and supplemental classifications have more stringent standards than for C and SC, and therefore, require higher levels of protection. Some of North Carolina’s surface waters are relatively unaffected by pollution sources and have water quality higher than the standards that are applied to the majority of the waters of the state. In addition, some waters provide habitat for sensitive biota such as trout, juvenile fish, or rare and endangered aquatic species. High Quality Waters (Class HQW) There are 362.1 stream miles and 1,388.5 acres of HQW waters in the Little Tennessee River basin (Figure 10). Special HQW protection management strategies are intended to prevent degradation of water quality below present levels from both point and nonpoint sources. HQW requirements for new wastewater discharge facilities and facilities, which expand beyond their currently permitted loadings, address oxygen-consuming wastes, total suspended solids, disinfection, emergency requirements, volume, nutrients (in nutrient sensitive waters) and toxic substances. Chapter 5 – North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards 87 Table 14 Primary and Supplemental Surface Water Classifications PRIMARY FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER CLASSIFICATIONS Class* Best Uses C and SC Aquatic life propagation/protection and secondary recreation. B and SB Primary recreation and Class C and SC uses. SA Suitable for commercial shellfish harvesting and SB and SC uses. WS Water Supply (WS): Assigned to watersheds based on land use characteristics. The WS classifications have management strategies to protect the surface water supply. For WS-I through WS-IV, these include limits on point source discharges and local programs to control nonpoint source and stormwater runoff. A WS Critical Area (CA) has more stringent protection measures and is designated within one-half mile from a WS intake or WS reservoir. All WS classifications are suitable for Class C uses. WS-I Generally located in natural and undeveloped watersheds. WS-II Generally located in predominantly undeveloped watersheds. WS-III Generally located in low to moderately developed watersheds. WS-IV Generally located in moderately to highly developed watersheds. WS-V Generally upstream of and draining to Class WS-IV waters. No categorical restrictions on watershed development or treated wastewater discharges. SUPPLEMENTAL CLASSIFICATIONS Class Best Uses Sw Swamp Waters: Waters that have low velocities and other natural characteristics that are different from adjacent streams (i.e., lower pH, lower levels of dissolved oxygen). Tr Trout Waters: Provides protection to freshwaters for natural trout propagation and survival of stocked trout. HQW High Quality Waters: Waters that have excellent water quality, primary nursery areas and other functional nursery areas, WS-I and WS-II or SA waters. ORW Outstanding Resource Waters: Unique and special waters of exceptional state or national recreational or ecological significance which require special protection. NSW Nutrient Sensitive Waters: Waters subject to excessive plant growth and requiring limitations on nutrient inputs. * Primary classifications beginning with "S" are assigned to saltwaters. For nonpoint source pollution, development activities which require a Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan in accordance with rules established by the NC Sedimentation Control Commission or an approved local erosion and sedimentation control program, and which drain to and are within one mile of HQWs, are required to control runoff from the development using either a low density or high density option. The low- density option requires a 30-foot vegetated buffer between development activities and the stream; whereas, the high-density option requires structural stormwater controls. In addition, the Division of Land Resources (DLR) requires more stringent erosion controls for land-disturbing projects within one mile of and draining to HQWs. Criteria for HQW Classification • Waters rated as Excellent based on DWQ’s chemical and biological sampling. • Streams designated as native or special native trout waters by the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC). • Waters designated as primary nursery areas or other functional nursery areas by the Division of Marine Fisheries. • Waters classified by DWQ as WS-I, WS-II or SA. Outstanding Resource Waters (Class ORW) There are 94.5 stream miles of ORW waters in the Little Tennessee River basin (Figure 10). These waters have excellent water quality (rated based on biological and chemical sampling as with HQWs) and an associated outstanding resource. 88 Chapter 5 – North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards SWAIN GRAHAM Robbinsville Fontana Lake Santeetlah Lake Santeetlah Little Tennessee River Nantahala Lake Bryson City Franklin Sylva Dillsboro Webster Forest Hills Highlands Little Tennesse e R iv e r N ata h ala River Forney C r e e k Yellow Creek S n o wbird C r e e k Eagle Cree k Hazel Cree k Oconaluftee R iv e rEllijay Cre e k T uck aseegee River Alarka C r e ek Soco Cr e e k R a ven Fork Deep C reek Indian Creek Little Tenness e e R iv e r Nantahala Riv e r Bu c k Cre e k Cullasaja R iv er Can e y Fo rk MACON JACKSON Figure 10 ORWs, HQWs and Water Supply Watersheds in the Little Tennessee River Basin Hydrography Legend County Boundary Subbasin Boundary HQW ORW Municipality WS-I WS-II WS-III WS-IV ® 0 5 10 15 202.5 Miles Planning Section Basinwide Planning Unit August 18, 2006 The requirements for ORW waters are more stringent than those for HQWs. Special protection measures that apply to North Carolina ORWs are set forth in 15A NCAC 2B .0225. At a minimum, no new discharges or expansions are permitted, and a 30-foot vegetated buffer or stormwater controls for new developments are required. In some circumstances, the unique characteristics of the waters and resources that are to be protected require that a specialized (or customized) ORW management strategy be developed. The ORW rule defines outstanding resource values as including one or more of the following: • an outstanding fisheries resource; • a high level of water-based recreation; • a special designation such as National Wild and Scenic River or a National Wildlife Refuge; • within a state or national park or forest; or • a special ecological or scientific significance. Primary Recreation (Class B) There are 465.9 stream miles and 11,971.0 acres classified for primary recreation in the Little Tennessee River basin. Waters classified as Class B are protected for primary recreation, include frequent and/or organized swimming, and must meet water quality standards for fecal coliform bacteria. Sewage and all discharged wastes into Class B waters much be treated to avoid potential impacts to the existing water quality. Trout Waters (Class Tr) There are 1,596.2 stream miles and 3,808.8 acres classified as trout (Tr) waters in the Little Tennessee River basin. Different water quality standards for some parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, temperature and turbidity, have been developed to protect freshwaters for natural trout propagation and survival of stocked trout. These water quality standards result in more restrictive limits for wastewater discharges to trout waters. There are no watershed development restrictions associated with the Tr classification; however, the NC Division of Land Resources (DLR), under the NC Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act (SPCA), has requirements to protect Tr streams from land disturbing activities. Under G.S. 113A-57(1), “waters that have been classified as Tr waters by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) shall have an undisturbed buffer zone 25 feet wide or of sufficient width to confine visible siltation within the twenty-five percent of the buffer zone nearest the land- disturbing activity, whichever is greater.” The Sedimentation Control Commission, however, can approve land-disturbing activities along Tr waters when the duration of the disturbance is temporary and the extent of the disturbance is minimal. This rule applies to unnamed tributaries flowing to the affected Tr water stream. Further clarification on classifications of unnamed tributaries can be found under Administration Code 15A NCAC 02B .0301(i)(1). For more information regarding land-disturbing activities along designated trout streams, see the DLR website at http://www.dlr.enr.state.nc.us/. A state fishery management classification, Designated Public Mountain Tr Waters, is administered by the NC WRC. It provides for public access to streams for fishing and regulates fishing activities (seasons, size limits, creel limits, and bait and lure restrictions). Although many of these waters are also classified Tr by DWQ, this is not the same classification. Water Supply Watersheds (Class WS) There are 515.23 stream miles and 4,506.9 acres currently classified for water supply in the Little Tennessee River basin (Figure 10). The purpose of the Water Supply Watershed Protection 90 Chapter 5 – North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards Program is to provide a proactive drinking water supply protection program for communities. Local governments administer the program based on state minimum requirements. There are restrictions on wastewater discharges, development, landfills and residual application sites to control the impacts of point and nonpoint sources of pollution to water supplies. There are five water supply classifications (WS-I to WS-V) that are defined according to the land use characteristics of the watershed. The WS-I classification carries the greatest protection for water supplies. No development is allowed in these watersheds. Generally, WS-I lands are publicly owned. WS-V watersheds have the least amount of protection and do not require development restrictions. These are either former water supply sources or sources used by industry. WS-I and WS-II classifications are also HQW by definition because requirements for these levels of water supply protection are at least as stringent as those for HQWs. Those watersheds classified as WS-II through WS-IV require local governments having jurisdiction within the watersheds to adopt and implement land use ordinances for development that are at least as stringent as the state’s minimum requirements. A 30-foot vegetated setback is required on perennial streams in these watersheds. The Little Tennessee River basin currently contains WS-I, WS-II, WS-III and WS-IV water supply watersheds. 5.1.3 Special Management Strategies There are 33.3 stream miles subject to special management strategies. Waters under special management strategies are designated with a “+” or “@” symbol in the stream classifications schedule. Under these strategies, stormwater controls are required on land within one mile of and draining to the designated ORW areas. Discharge limitations also apply to the “+” designated waters. These limitations were developed using most of the HQW management strategies as a framework. A summary of the special management strategies for HQW and ORW waters can be found in Section 2.5.2. Detailed information can be found in the document entitled Classifications and Water Quality Standards Applicable to Surface Waters and Wetlands of North Carolina (NCDENR-DWQ, 2004). This document is available on-line at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/rules/. 5.1.4 Reclassification of Surface Waters The classification of a surface water may be changed after a request is submitted to the Classifications and Standards Unit. DWQ reviews each request for reclassification and conducts an assessment of the surface water to determine if the reclassification is appropriate. If it is determined that a reclassification is justified, the request must proceed through the state rule- making process. To initiate a reclassification, the “Application to Request Reclassification of NC Surface Waters” must be completed and submitted to DWQ’s Classifications and Standards Unit. For more information on requests for reclassification and contact information, visit http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/csu/. Chapter 5 – North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards 91 92 Chapter 5 – North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards