Md. Code Regs. 26.08.02.01

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 24, December 2, 2024

Section 26.08.02.01 - Surface Water Quality Protection

A. Purpose. To protect surface water quality, this State shall adopt water quality standards to:

(1) Protect public health or welfare;

(2) Enhance the quality of water;

(3) Protect aquatic resources; and

(4) Serve the purposes of the Federal Act.

B. Water Quality Standards.

(1) The surface water quality standards consist of three parts:

(a) Designated uses of the waters of this State;

(b) Water quality criteria to protect the designated uses; and

(c) Antidegradation Policy.

(2) Water quality standards shall provide water quality for the designated uses of:

(a) Water contact recreation;

(b) Fishing;

(c) Propagation of fish, other aquatic life, and wildlife; and

(d) Agricultural and industrial water supply.

(3) Waters of this State shall be protected for the basic designated uses in Regulation .02A.

(4) Water quality standards shall consider the use and value of public water supplies.

(5) Regulations .02-.08 of this chapter implement this State's water quality standards by:

(a) Defining and establishing specific designated uses for the surface waters of this State;

(b) Assigning a designated use to all surface waters;

(c) Establishing water quality criteria for each designated use;

(d) Defining this State's antidegradation policy;

(e) Defining this State's criteria for mixing zones; and

(f) Defining other water quality protective policies.

Md. Code Regs. 26.08.02.01

Regulation .01 amended effective April 21, 1978 (5:8 Md. R. 593); July 11, 1980 (7:14 Md. R. 1348); December 3, 1984 (11:24 Md. R. 2070)
Regulation .01D amended effective May 24, 1982 (9:10 Md. R. 1022)
Regulation .01I amended effective June 6, 1983 (10:11 Md. R. 976); December 19, 1983 (10:25 Md. R. 2269)
Regulation .01B amended effective April 26, 2001 (28:2 Md. R. 101);41:8 Md. R. 474, eff. 4/28/2014