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The California Toxics Rule (CTR)
Water Quality Criteria for Priority Toxic Pollutants for California Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries
On May 18, 2000, the EPA promulgated numeric water quality criteria for priority toxic pollutants and other provisions for water quality standards to be applied to waters in the State of California. EPA promulgated this rule based on the Administrator's determination that the numeric criteria are necessary in the State of California to protect human health and the environment.
The rule fills a gap in California water quality standards that was created in 1994 when a state court overturned the state's water quality control plans containing water quality criteria for priority toxic pollutants. Thus, the State of California has been without numeric water quality criteria for many priority toxic pollutants as required by the Clean Water Act, necessitating this action by EPA. These federal criteria are legally applicable in the State of California for inland surface waters, enclosed bays and estuaries for all purposes and programs under the Clean Water Act.
Additional information, including a fact sheet, the March 18, 2000, Federal Register notice, an economic analysis, and a response-to-comment document, are available at http://www.epa.gov/OST/standards/ctrindex.html.