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Table 1-A
The water quality guidelines used in Alberta
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Dissolved |
5 at pH <6.5; 100 at pH >6.5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Un-ionized |
0.019 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
e^(1.0166*ln[hardness]-3.924) |
µg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
Dissolved |
150 |
mg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
7 |
µg/L |
Alberta Environment, 1999 |
Total |
2, for hardness 0-90 mg/L; e^(0.8545*ln[hardness)]-1.465)* 0.2, for hardness >90 mg/L |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
6.5 |
mg/L |
Alberta Environment, 1999 |
Total |
e^(1.273*ln[hardness]-4.705) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
(Total) inorganic |
0.026 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
e^(0.76[ln(hardness)]+1.06) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
1 |
mg/L |
Alberta Environment, 1999 |
2,4-D |
4 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
MCPA |
2.6 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
6.5-9.0 |
n/a |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.05 |
mg/L |
Alberta Environment, 1999 |
Total |
2 |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
7.5, for hardness ≤90 mg/L; 7.5 + 0.75*(hardness-90), for hardness >90 mg/L CaCO3 |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request).
2. Applies to sites monitored by provincial monitoring programs.
3. Applies to sites monitored under federal monitoring programs and the Prairie Provinces Water Board. |
Table 1-B
The water quality guidelines used in British Columbia1
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description2 |
Unit |
Source |
... |
20 |
mg/L (CaCO3) |
Nagpal et al., 2006 |
Total |
20 |
µg/L |
Nagpal et al., 2006 |
Total |
5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
≤10^0.86[log(hardness)]-3.2, when > 50mg/L CaCO3; ≤0.019, when <50 mg/L CaCO3, SSG |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c; Environment Canada, 2005d |
Extractable |
SSG |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Butcher, 1992 |
Total or dissolved |
SSG |
mg/L |
Nagpal, 2003 |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
Environment Canada, 2005c; Environment Canada, 2005e; Butcher, 1992; Environment Canada, 2005f; CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005g; Environment Canada, 2005h; Swain, 1990; EC, 2005i |
Extractable |
SSG |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 1992 |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
Environment Canada, 2005c; Singleton, 1987; BCMWLAP, 2004; Swain et al., 1997; Environment Canada, 2005i |
Extractable |
SSG |
µg/L |
Butcher, 1992; Singleton, 1987 |
Dissolved |
SSG |
µg/L |
Swain, 1990 |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Swain, 1990 |
Weak acid dissociable |
5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
SSG |
mg/L |
Environment Canada, 2005c; Environment Canada, 2005j; CCME, 2005b; Gwanikar et al., 1998; Swain and Girard, 1987 |
Total |
0.30 |
mg/L |
Warrington, 1995 |
Total |
300 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total or extractable |
SSG |
µg/L |
Nagpal, 1987; Environment Canada 2005c |
Total or dissolved |
SSG |
µg/L |
Nagpal, 2001a; Swain, 1990; CCME 2005b |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Swain, 1990 |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
Environment Canada; 2005c, Swain, 1990 |
Total dissolved as N |
2.93 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total as N |
0.02 |
mg/L |
Nordin and Pommen, 1986 |
Total or total dissolved |
SSG |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
2.93 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
SSG |
n/a |
CCME, 2005b; Swain, 1990; Butcher, 1992; Gwanikar et al., 1998 |
Total or total dissolved |
SSG |
mg/L |
Environment Canada, 2005c; OMOE, 1994 |
Total or dissolved |
2 |
µg/L |
Nagpal, 2001b |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
50 |
mg/L |
Singleton, 2000 |
... |
SSG |
°C |
Fidler and Oliver, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c; Gwanikar et al., 1998 |
Total or extractable |
0.8 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total or extractable |
SSG |
µg/L |
Nagpal, 1999; Environment Canada, 2005c; Swain, 1990; EC, 2005i; Butcher, 1992 |
1. British Columbia and Yukon parameter selections were site-specific.
2. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request). |
Table 1-C
The water quality guidelines used in Manitoba
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Total as nitrogen |
Calculation based on pH and temperature |
mg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
Un-ionized |
0.019 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total or extractable |
0.15 |
mg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
Total |
5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total or extractable |
e^(0.7852*ln[hardness]-2.715) where hardness = mg/L as CaCO3 |
µg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
Dissolved |
150 |
mg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total or extractable |
e^(0.8545*ln[hardness]-1.702) where hardness = mg/L as CaCO3 |
µg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
Total |
2, for hardness 0-90 mg/L; e^(0.8545*ln[hardness]-1.465)* 0.2, for hardness >90 mg/L |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005c; USEPA, 2005 |
... |
5 |
mg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
... |
6.5 |
mg/L |
PPWB, 1992; Alberta Environment, 1999 |
Total or extractable |
0.3 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total (or extractable) |
e^(1.273*ln[hardness]-4.705) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
e^(0.76*ln[hardness]+1.06) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total or extractable |
e^(0.8460*ln[hardness]+0.0584), where hardness = mg/L CaCO3 |
µg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
Total (as N) |
2.9 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
1 |
mg/L |
Alberta Environment, 1999 |
MCPA |
2.6 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
2,4-D |
4 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
6.5-9.0 |
n/a |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.05 (rivers); 0.025 (lakes) |
mg/L |
PPWB, 1992; Alberta Environment, 1999; Manitoba Conservation, 2002 |
... |
25 |
mg/L |
Manitoba Conservation, 2002 |
Total |
7.5, for hardness ≤90 mg/L; 7.5 + 0.75*(hardness-90), for hardness >90 mg/L CaCO3 |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total or extractable |
e^(0.8473*ln[hardness]+0.884), where hardness = mg/L as CaCO3 |
µg/L |
USEPA, 2005 |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request).
2. Applies to sites monitored by provincial monitoring programs.
3. Applies to sites monitored under federal monitoring programs and the Prairie Provinces Water Board. |
Table 1-D
The water quality guidelines used in New Brunswick
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Un-ionized |
0.019 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
150 |
mg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
2, for hardness <60 mg/L CaCO3; e^(0.8545*ln[hardness]-1.465)*0.2, for hardness >60 mg/L |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001 |
Dissolved |
300 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
e^(0.76*ln[hardness]+1.06) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
2.9 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
6.5 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
... |
6.5-9.0 |
n/a |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.03 (rivers); 0.02 (lakes) |
mg/L |
Dodds et al., 1998 |
... |
10 (SSG) |
NTU |
Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
7.5 for hardness <90 mg/L; 7.5 + 0.75*(hardness-90) for hardness >90 mg/L |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request). |
Table 1-E
The water quality guidelines used in Newfoundland and Labrador
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Total |
5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
1 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
2, for [CaCO3] = 0-120 mg/L
|
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
3, for [CaCO3] = 120-180 mg/L |
4, for [CaCO3] >180 mg/L |
Total |
300 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
1, for [CaCO3] = 0-60 mg/L |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
2, for [CaCO3] = 60-120 mg/L |
4, for [CaCO3] = 120-180 mg/L |
7, for [CaCO3] >180 mg/L |
Total |
73 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
25, for [CaCO3] = 0-60 mg/L |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
65, for [CaCO3] = 60-120 mg/L |
110, for [CaCO3] = 120-180 mg/L |
150, for [CaCO3] = >180 mg/L |
|
6.5-9.0 |
n/a |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.03 (rivers) |
mg/L |
Dodds et al., 1998 |
Total |
1 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
30 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request).
2. Sites in Labrador had either total or extractable metals used in calculation of the WQI due to modification in sampling program. |
Table 1-F
The water quality guidelines used in Nova Scotia
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Dissolved |
150 |
mg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
2, for hardness <60 mg/L CaCO3; e^(0.8545*ln[hardness]-1.465)*0.2, for hardness >60 mg/L |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
300 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
e^(1.273*ln[hardness]-4.705) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
e^(0.76*ln[hardness]+1.06) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total (as N) |
2.9 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
6.5-9.0 |
n/a |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.03 (rivers); 0.02 (lakes) |
mg/L |
Dodds et al., 1998 |
Total |
7.5 for hardness <90 mg/L; 7.5 + 0.75*(hardness-90) for hardness >90 mg/L |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request). |
Table 1-G
The water quality guidelines used in Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Dissolved |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and 0.019 for lentic-lotic sites |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
SSG (mean + 2 SD) |
µg/L |
DIAND |
Dissolved |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and 150 for lentic-lotic sites |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
SSG (mean + 2 SD) |
µg/L |
DIAND |
Total |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and for lentic-lotic sites: |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
2, for [CaCO3] = 0-120 mg/L |
3, for [CaCO3] = 120-180 mg/L |
4, for [CaCO3] >180 mg/L |
Total |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and 300 for lentic-lotic sites |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and for lentic-lotic sites: |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
1, for [CaCO3] = 0-60 mg/L |
2, for [CaCO3] = 60-120 mg/L |
4, for [CaCO3] = 120-180 mg/L |
7, for [CaCO3] >180 mg/L |
Dissolved |
SSG (mean + 2 SD) |
mg/L |
DIAND |
Dissolved |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and 2.93 (lentic-lotic sites) |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Dissolved |
5 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and 6.5-9.0 for lentic-lotic sites) |
pH units |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and 0.03 (lentic-lotic sites) |
mg/L |
Dodds et al., 1998 |
Total |
SSG for lotic sites (mean + 2SD) and 30 for lentic-lotic sites |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request). |
Table 1-H
The water quality guidelines used in Ontario
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Un-ionized |
0.019 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
150 |
mg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
2 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b (guideline for Cr(VI) adjusted to total chromium) |
Total |
e^(0.76*ln[hardness]+1.06) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total (as N) |
2.93 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.03 |
mg/L |
OMOE, 1994 |
Total |
7.5, for hardness <90 mg/L; 7.5 + 0.75*(hardness-90), for hardness >90 mg/L CaCO3 |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request). |
Table 1-K
The water quality guidelines used in Saskatchewan
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description1 |
Unit |
Source |
Un-ionized |
0.019 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Dissolved |
150 |
mg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
2, for hardness 0-90 mg/L; e^(0.8545*ln[hardness]-1.465)* 0.2, for hardness >90 mg/L |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
6.5 |
mg/L |
PPWB, 1992; Alberta Environment, 1999 |
Total |
e^(1.273*ln[hardness]-4.705) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
e^(0.76*ln[hardness]+1.06) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
1 |
mg/L |
Alberta Environment, 1999 |
MCPA |
2.6 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
2,4-D |
4 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
... |
6.5-9.0 |
n/a |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.05 |
mg/L |
PPWB, 1992; Alberta Environment, 1999 |
Total |
7.5, for hardness ≤90 mg/L; 7.5 + 0.75*(hardness-90), for hardness >90 mg/L CaCO3 |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
1. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request). |
Table 1-L
The water quality guidelines used in Yukon1
Parameter |
Form |
Guideline description2 |
Unit |
Source |
Total |
5 |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.026 |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
Singleton, 1987 |
Total |
e(1.273[ln*(hardness)]-4.705) |
µg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Total as N |
2.93 |
mg/L |
CCME, 2005b; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Not available |
0.02 |
mg/L |
Nordin and Pommen, 1986 |
... |
SSG |
|
CCME, 2005b |
Total |
0.03 |
mg/L |
Dodds et al., 1998 |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
Warrington, 1995; Environment Canada, 2005c |
Dissolved |
50 |
mg/L |
|
... |
SSG |
°C |
Fidler and Oliver, 2001 |
Total |
SSG |
µg/L |
BCMOE, 2001; Environment Canada, 2005c |
1. British Columbia and Yukon parameter selections were site-specific.
2. SSG means that different site-specific guidelines or formulas were used at different sites (specific site information available on request). |