North Carolina Administrative Code › Title 15A - Environmental Quality › Chapter 02 - Environmental Management › Subchapter B - SURFACE WATER AND WETLAND STANDARDS › Section .0200 - CLASSIFICATIONS AND WATER QUALITY STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO SURFACE WATERS AND WETLANDS OF NORTH CAROLINA › Section 02B .0222 - TIDAL SALT WATER QUALITY STANDARDS FOR CLASS SB WATERS

Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 2, July 15, 2024
In addition to the standards set forth in Rule .0220 of
					 this Section, the following water quality standards shall apply to tidal
					 surface waters that are used for primary contact recreation as defined in Rule
					 .0202 of this Section and that are classified SB.
(1) The best usage of waters classified as SB
				  shall be primary contact recreation and any other usage specified by the "SC"
				  classification;
(2) The best usage
				  of waters classified as SB shall be maintained as specified in this Rule. In
				  assigning the SB 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. The waters shall meet accepted sanitary 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 purposes. Any source
				  of water pollution that precludes any of these uses, on either a short-term or
				  a long-term basis, shall be deemed to violate a water quality
				  standard.
(3) The following water
				  quality standards shall apply to Class SB waters:
(a) Floating solids, settleable solids, or
				  sludge deposits: none attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other
				  wastes;
(b) 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 waters discharged into waters that are to be used for bathing, the
				  Commission shall consider the quantity and quality of the sewage and other
				  wastes involved and the proximity of such discharges to the 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;
(c) Enterococcus, including Enterococcus
				  faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus avium and Enterococcus
				  gallinarium: not exceed a geometric mean of 35 enterococci per 100 ml based
				  upon a minimum of five samples taken over a 30-day period. In accordance with
				  Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.
				  1313 for the purposes of beach monitoring and
				  notification, "Coastal Recreation Waters Monitoring, Evaluation and
				  Notification" regulations (15A NCAC 18A .3400)
				  are incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments and
				  editions.