Revised EPA Methods For Pesticides,and Organics

EPA has finalized specific changes to analytical test procedures that are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the chemical, physical, and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples that are required by Clean Water Act regulations and their NPDES permit. The changes include revised EPA methods and revised methods published by voluntary consensus standard bodies, such as ASTM International and the Standard Methods Committee. EPA added certain methods reviewed under the Alternate Test Procedures (ATP) program to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 40 Part 136 and clarifying the procedures for EPA approval of nationwide and limited use ATPs.
New EPA Methods finalized include 608.3, 611, 624.1 and 625.1

• EPA Method 608.3, Organochlorine Pesticides and PCBs
• EPA Method 611, Haloethers.
• EPA Method 624.1, Purgeables by GC/MS.
• EPA Method 625.1, Base/Neutrals and Acids by GC/MS.

EPA revised existing Methods 1600, 1603, 1680, and 1682. This rule implements changes for EPA microbiological methods 1600, 1603, 1680, and 1682 that correct typographical or other errors that EPA identified in the methods after publication.

Constructed Wetland Annual Inspection And Monitoring Report

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Constructed Wetland – Wetland Mitigation Annual Inspection and Monitoring Report
Client: Metropolitan Council
Location(s): Minnesota


Key Elements: Constructed wetland inspection, Preparation of annual wetland monitoring report


Overview: Caltha was contracted to provide inspection services to review the condition, hydrology and wetland plant species diversity for this constructed wetland project. Caltha conducted a site inspection to identify prevalent wetland plant species and their relative abundance. The wetland survey also identified invasive species and made recommendations for enhanced control of specific invasive wetland plants which were identified at the site. An annual wetland monitoring report was prepared to be submitted to the local watershed district, which permitted the wetland mitigation, local city officials, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.


For more information on Caltha LLP services, go to the Caltha Contact Page

Summary of the Occurrence of Herbicide in Surface Water To Support Comments On USDA Draft Environmental Assessment

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Summary of the Occurrence of Herbicide in Surface Water To Support Comments On USDA Draft Environmental Assessment
Client: Agricultural Chemical Manufacturer
Location(s): California, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota

Key Elements: Acquisition and review of state water quality monitoring data; statistical analysis of the occurrence and concentrations of herbicide in surface water, preparation and submittal of public comments to Department of Agriculture Draft Environmental Assessment

Overview: Caltha was contracted by this multinational agricultural chemical company to prepare a review and analysis of the occurrence of a specific common use herbicide, 2,4-D, in waters of the United States. Caltha first reviewed and summarized nationwide data in the US EPA STORET database and U.S Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program database. Caltha staff then contacted State agencies which implemented long-term Statewide water quality monitoring programs, including California, Texas, Illinois and Minnesota. All data were then compiled to provide a summary of 2,4-D concentrations in surface waters dating from the 1970s through 2012. Caltha then conducted a review of federal and state regulatory standards for 2,4-D in surface waters, including:

• Federal Water Quality Criteria
• State Water Quality Standards
• Federal Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Level
• Office of Pesticide Program Aquatic Life Benchmarks

Finally, Caltha conducted an analysis of the exceedance of applicable regulatory standards based on the comprehensive analysis of reported herbicide concentrations. All analyses were summarized in a report which was submitted to the US Department of Agriculture through its public comment process for a Draft Environmental Assessment document.

For more information on Caltha LLP services, go to the Caltha Contact Page

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment. Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

National Rivers and Stream Assessment Report Released

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the 2008-2009 National Rivers and Stream Assessment. The survey looked at the health of thousands of stream and river miles across the country, and reported that about 55% are in poor condition for aquatic life. The report findings include:

• Nitrogen and phosphorus are at excessive levels. An estimated 27% of the nation’s rivers and streams have excessive levels of nitrogen, and 40% have high levels of phosphorus.
• Streams and rivers are at an increased risk due to decreased vegetation cover and increased human disturbance. These conditions can cause streams and rivers to be more vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and pollution. Approximately 24% of the rivers and streams monitored were rated poor due to the loss of healthy vegetative cover.
• Increased bacteria levels. High bacteria levels were found in 9% of stream and river miles making those waters potentially unsafe for swimming and other recreation.
• Increased mercury levels. More than 13,000 miles of rivers have fish with mercury levels that may be unsafe for human consumption.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

EPA Adds Impaired Waters To West Virginia 303D List

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has responded to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) proposed list of impaired waterways in West Virginia. The list includes 1,176 waterways previously designated as impaired by the State, and an additional 255 waterways identified by EPA, based on the State’s current water quality standards.

In its response, EPA acknowledged WVDEP’s position that it is precluded by Senate Bill No. 562 from evaluating waters for aquatic life uses pending adoption of a new methodology for evaluating waterways. EPA identified the additional waterways, representing more than 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, based on its review of readily available State data. The agency reviewed the information using substantially the same methodology that West Virginia has used to review this type of data in the past.

EPA will publish a notice of the proposed additions in the federal register on or before April 15, which will begin a 30-day public comment period. EPA will review all of the comments and make changes to the proposed list as appropriate.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Use of ASTM D7575 Method For Oil and Grease Measurement

US EPA has published its final decision on its reconsideration of the methods used by NPDES permittees to test for Oil and Grease. In the 2010 proposed Methods Update Rule (MUR), EPA discussed a new method, ASTM D7575, for oil and grease. The agency subsequently published a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) on this method that provided new data and requested comment on whether and how EPA should approve the method in Part 136 as an alternative oil and grease method.

As background, EPA establishes test procedures in 40 CFR Part 136. When EPA has promulgated a test procedure for analysis of a specific pollutant, an NPDES permittee must use an approved test procedure for the specific pollutant However, 40 CFR Part 136 also recognizes that new technologies and approaches are constantly being developed, including methods for pollutants for which EPA already has an approved test procedure. The CWA allows for use of an alternate method for a specific pollutant or parameter that is different from the approved test procedure (i.e., limited use approval). Requests for such uses, along with supporting data, are made to the applicable Regional Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) Coordinator for consideration and approval.

Unlike many parameters, oil and grease is not a unique chemical entity, but is a mixture of chemical species that varies from source to source. Common substances that may contribute to oil and grease include petroleum based compounds such as fuels, motor oil, lubricating oil, soaps, waxes, and hydraulic oil and vegetable based compounds such as cooking oil and other fats. Currently, Part 136 lists EPA Method 1664A for the measurement of oil and grease.

In 2010, EPA proposed to add new and revised EPA methods to its Part 136 test procedures. Among other methods, EPA described, but did not approve, three oil and grease methods, ASTM D7575, ASTM D7066 and Standard Methods 5520. Because EPA expressed interest in the use of solvent-free methods, EPA evaluated the ASTM D7575 method for the measurement of oil and grease and announced it was re-considering its decision not to include ASTM D7575 in 40 CFR Part 136 as an alternative to EPA Method 1664A for measuring oil and grease.

After consideration, EPA concluded that ASTM D7575 is a good stand alone method for the measurement of oil and grease. However, EPA also concluded that the case has not yet been made that ASTM D7575 should be approved for nationwide use as an alternative oil and grease method. However, EPA considered various approaches for allowing its use as an alternative to approved methods. EPA has concluded such determinations should be made on a case by case basis rather than a nationwide basis.

EPAs approach to approve ASTM D7575 as an alternative oil and grease method requires permittees to demonstrate comparability (side-by-side data) to the permitting authority. To determine comparability for a specific application, with approval of the ATP Coordinator, a permittee could use the specific side by side comparison procedures. Under this approach, a permittee would only be able to use ASTM D7575 if the recommended procedures demonstrated comparability.

EPA anticipates that requests for the use of ASTM D7575 as an alternative oil and grease method could be widespread, and wants to ensure that such requests are handled consistently. EPA recommends that applicants demonstrate comparability by conducting a side-by-side comparison using the specific procedures recommended in the guidance document that was developed when Method 1664A was promulgated. Comparability could be shown if this side by side comparison demonstrates there is no significant difference between the promulgated method and ASTM D7575. EPA notes that such requests may provide sufficient additional data to allow EPA at a later date to later make a nationwide determination on the approval of ASTM D7575 as an alternative oil and grease method.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

New EPA Recreational Water Quality Criteria for Beaches

In response to an order from a U.S. District Court and as required by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new recreational water quality criteria for beaches and waters year round. The criteria provide states and communities with scientific information that they can use to determine whether water quality is safe for the public and when to issue an advisory or a beach closure. EPA has also provided a variety of other tools to help states evaluate and manage recreational waters.

The new criteria are based on several recent health studies and use a broader definition of illness to recognize that symptoms may occur without a fever, including a number of stomach ailments. EPA also narrowed from 90 days to 30 days the time period over which the results of monitoring samples may be averaged. This shortened time period especially accounts for heavy rainfall that can wash pollution into rivers, lakes or the ocean or cause sewer overflows.

The recommendations include:

1. A short-term and long-term measure of bacteria levels that are to be used together to ensure that water quality is properly evaluated.
2. Stronger recommendations for coastal water quality so public health is protected similarly in both coastal and fresh waters.
3. A new rapid testing method that states can use to determine if water quality is safe within hours of water samples being taken.
4. An early-alert approach for states to use to quickly issue swimming advisories for the public.
5. Tools that allow states to predict water quality problems and identify sources of pollution, as well as to develop criteria for specific beaches.

  Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment. Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Water Quality Monitoring Grant To Nebraska Tribe

EPA Region 7’s Office of Tribal Affairs has awarded a $39,942 performance partnership grant to the Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska to support the tribe’s water quality monitoring and protection efforts. EPA’s grant, expressed through a cooperative agreement, provides administrative flexibility and support to the tribe’s Office of Environmental Protection, which has conducted water quality monitoring under the federal Clean Water Act since 1996.

Under this grant, the tribe will continue to monitor groundwater, fish tissue, wetlands, streams and ponds on the reservation. The Office of Environmental Protection will analyze data to identify issues of interest or concern for future monitoring, and will use data to inform the tribal council and its people on the water quality of the reservation.

EPA provides financial assistance to states and tribes to help them implement environmental programs. States and tribes may receive these funds in individual environmental program categorical grants, or choose to combine grants in a performance partnership grant (PPG). PPGs, such as the one awarded to the Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska, streamline administrative requirements, give states and tribes greater flexibility to direct resources to their most pressing environmental problems, and make it easier to fund efforts that cut across program boundaries. The Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska is one of nine federally recognized tribes within EPA Region 7.


Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Reports Released On Condition of Minnesota Wetlands

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) jointly issued reports on into the prevalence and condition of Minnesota wetlands. The initial survey on wetland quality, which focused on depressional wetlands such as marshes and ponds, showed that the plant communities in nearly half of the wetlands were in poor condition, while aquatic macroinvertebrates (such as aquatic insects, leeches and snails) fared much better.

The two reports provide a comprehensive view of the current status of wetlands in Minnesota. In the northeastern region of the state, the majority of pre-settlement wetlands still exist, and a large percentage are in good condition. However, in the western and southern parts of the state, where many wetlands have been lost, those that remain are generally in poor condition.

Findings of the survey included:

• Minnesota has 10.6 million acres of wetlands, which comprise 19.7 % of the state’s land cover, not counting deep lakes and rivers.
• Plant communities are in good condition in only 29 % of Minnesota’s depressional wetlands, while 25 % are in fair condition and 46 percent are in poor condition.
• Macroinvertebrate communities are in better condition with estimates of 47 % good, 33 % fair, and 20 % poor.
• Forested wetlands make up 4.4 million acres and are the most common wetland type in Minnesota, followed by emergent wetlands (shallow marshes, wet meadows), shrub swamps, and deep marshes/ponds.

In 2006, the State started the wetland monitoring program to assess status and trends of both wetland quantity and quality. Sampling for both the wetland quantity and quality monitoring programs is done on a repeating, multi-year cycle.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

New Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Pollutant Loading Tool

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new tool that provides the public with information about discharges into local waterways. The Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Pollutant Loading Tool brings together millions of records and allows for searching and mapping of water discharges by local area, watershed, company, industry sector, and pollutant.

Searches using the DMR Pollutant Loading Tool result in “top ten” lists to help users identify facilities and industries that are discharging the most pollutants and impacted waterbodies. When discharges are above permitted levels, users can view the violations and link to details about enforcement actions that EPA and states have taken to address these violations.

A link to the new tool can be found on EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website, which provides information about inspections, facility compliance, and state and federal enforcement actions. EPA has also released several new ECHO features, including a search for criminal enforcement cases and web developer tools for ECHO reports and maps.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

State Dashboards To Review Clean Water Act Data and Actions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released updated data and a mapping tool to compare water quality trends over the last 2 years. The web-based, interactive map includes “state dashboards” that provide detailed information for each state, including information on facilities that are violating the Clean Water Act and the actions states are taking to enforce the law and protect people’s health.

The state dashboards incorporate data for both large and small sources of water pollution, and information from EPA’s 2009 Annual Noncompliance Report. Users can review and compare information on the inspections conducted by both EPA and the state agencies, violations and enforcement actions in their communities over the past two years and the penalties levied in response to violations. EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Online (ECHO) database provides fast, integrated searches of EPA and state data for more than 800,000 regulated facilities, including information on inspections, violations and enforcement actions.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

EPA National Study of Chemical Residues in Lake Fish Tissue

US EPA has recently release it report on bioaccumualtive chemicals in fish. The report "National Study of Chemical Residues in Lake Fish Tissue" (or National Lake Fish Tissue Study) is one of the statistically-based surveys conducted by EPA since the late 1990s.

This study is a national screening-level survey of chemical residues in fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs in the lower 48 United States, excluding the Laurentian Great Lakes and Great Salt Lake. It is unique among national assessments of fish contamination in lakes because the sampling sites were selected according to a statistical (random) design. Study results allow EPA to estimate the percentage of lakes and reservoirs in the United States with chemical concentrations in fish tissue that are above levels of potential concern for humans or for wildlife that eat fish. This study also includes the largest set of chemicals ever studied in fish. Whole fish and fillets were analyzed for 268 persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals, including mercury, arsenic, dioxins and furans, the full complement of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and a large number of pesticides and semivolatile organic compounds.

The data showed mercury concentrations in game fish exceeding EPA recommended levels at 49 percent of lakes and reservoirs nationwide, and PCBs in game fish at levels of potential concern at 17 percent of lakes and reservoirs. These findings are based on a comprehensive national study using more data on levels of contamination in fish tissue than any previous study.

EPA is currently conducting other statistically based national aquatic surveys that include assessment of fish contamination, such as the National Rivers and Streams Assessment and the National Coastal Assessment. Sampling for the National Rivers and Streams Assessment is underway, and results from this two-year study are expected to be available in 2011. Collection of fish samples for the National Coastal Assessment will begin in 2010.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAH in Stormwater Discharges

Collaborative studies by the City of Austin, TX, and the U. S. Geological Survey have identified coal-tar based sealcoat as a major and previously unrecognized source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination. Several PAHs are suspected human carcinogens and are toxic to aquatic life.

Studies in Austin, Texas, showed that particles in runoff from coal-tar based sealcoated parking lots have concentrations of PAHs that are about 65 times higher than concentrations in particles washed off parking lots that have not been sealcoated. Biological studies, conducted by the City of Austin in the field and in the laboratory, indicate that PAH levels in sediment contaminated with abraded sealcoat are toxic to aquatic life and are degrading aquatic communities.

Laboratory studies included toxicity tests conducted with waters collected downstream of areas which received seal-coating, and representative control areas. These studies led the researchers to estimate that about 13% of Greater Austin area streams had PAH concentrations high enough to be toxic to benthic invertebrates.

This research has led the City of Austin to ban the use of coal-tar sealants for roads, parking lots, driveways, and other paved areas.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

KDHE Fish Consumption Advisories - 2009 Update

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) recently issued revised fish consumption advisories for 2009. The advisories identify species of fish that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination found in tested fish.

The advisories include guidelines for

• mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish,
• perchlorate in fish and other aquatic life, and
• lead and cadmium in shellfish.
  

According to KDHE, data from most Kansas long-term monitoring sites show a decrease in PCB levels and no trend in mercury concentrations.

The two agencies recommend not eating specified fish or aquatic life from a number of specific lakes and rivers. Kansas counties with current fish consumption advisories include Cherokee, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Reno, Sedgwick, and Sumner.

Average mercury concentrations in Kansas fishes are lower than nationwide averages. KDHE protocol uses the average tissue mercury level when conducting water body specific risk assessments. However, when considering the condition of the water bodies as a whole, the median concentration may be a better indicator of central tendency and is somewhat lower than the average.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Oklahoma (ODEQ) Amendments to Biomonitoring - Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Requirements

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has proposed certian modifications to State rules concerning biomonitoring (whole effluent toxicity, or WET) requirements for wastewater dischargers. Permittees with biomonitoring requirements must collect samples of their effluent periodically and conduct standardized laboratory toxicity tests to determine if the effluent exhibits any adverse responses to test organisms.

Under the proposed rules, a sublethal test failure (failure to demonstrate growth or reproduction) will be handled the same as a lethal test failure (death to the test organisms). This change is required based on changes in US EPA requirements and has already been promulgated into Oklahoma’s Water Quality Standards.

The proposed rule modifications also refine under what circumstances a facility may request a change biomonitoring organism from Daphnia pulex or Ceriodaphnia dubia to Daphnia magna.

One additional change is being proposed by ODEQ which is unrelated to biomonitoring. ODEQ has proposed rule modifications would require monthly monitoring for phosphorus and/or nitrogen if a facility is discharging to a nutrient limited watershed as designated by Oklahoma’s Water Quality Standards.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

State Water Quality Standards - Site Specific NPDES Permit Limits

Setting water quality standards (also known as “ambient water quality criteria, or AWQC”) is one of three elements of a typical State water pollution control program under the Clean Water Act.

1. Designating uses of water bodies
2. Establishing water quality standards to meet designated uses
3. Waste discharge permit / NPDES permits

States will also have policies or rules that are used to assure that water bodies that do not meet their water quality standards (“impaired waters”) are brought back into compliance, and policies or rules to assure that water bodies currently meeting standards are not allowed to be significantly degraded (“antidegradation or nondegradation policy”).

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment. Caltha is often asked to participate as a “specialty consultant” on larger project teams, bringing our expertise in water quality standards and setting of NPDES permit limits.

[See a map showing States where Caltha LLP worked in 2008]

To request further information on water quality standards consultant services for individual States, click on a State below:

Alabama Water Quality Standards
Alaska Water Quality Standards
Arkansas Water Quality Standards
California Water Quality Standards
Connecticut Water Quality Standards
Florida Water Quality Standards
Georgia Water Quality Standards
Illinois Water Quality Standards
Indiana Water Quality Standards
Iowa Water Quality Standards
Kansas Water Quality Standards
Kentucky Water Quality Standards
Louisiana Water Quality Standards
Maine Water Quality Standards
Massachusetts Water Quality Standards
Michigan Water Quality Standards
Minnesota Water Quality Standards
Mississippi Water Quality Standards
Nebraska Water Quality Standards
Nevada Water Quality Standards
New Jersey Water Quality Standards
New York Water Quality Standards
North Carolina Water Quality Standards
North Dakota Water Quality Standards
Ohio Water Quality Standards
Oklahoma Water Quality Standards
Oregon Water Quality Standards
Pennsylvania Water Quality Standards
South Carolina Water Quality Standards
South Dakota Water Quality Standards
Tennessee Water Quality Standards
Texas Water Quality Standards
Utah Water Quality Standards
Virginia Water Quality Standards
Washington Water Quality Standards
Wisconsin Water Quality Standards

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website

Beach Water Quality Monitoring Grants - Recreational Water Quality Standards

US EPA is making almost $10 million in grants available in 2009 to eligible coastal and Great Lakes states, territories and tribes to help them implement programs to monitor water quality at the beach and to notify the public when water quality problems exist.

To improve water quality testing and to help beach managers better inform the public when there are water quality problems, Congress passed the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH Act) in 2000. The Act authorizes EPA to award grants to eligible states, territories and tribes to develop and implement beach water quality monitoring and notification programs for coastal and Great Lakes recreational beach waters.

In 2009, EPA expects to award $9.9 million in grants to eligible states, territories and tribes for their beach water protection programs. EPA expects to award grants to all eligible states and territories that apply based on an allocation formula. Based on this allocation formula, the amount of each implementation grant ranges from $150,000 to $528,000.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address water quality standards, wastewater permitting and assessing potential impacts of chemicals in the aquatic environment.

Caltha LLP Aquatic Toxicology / WQ Standards Services Website