In a message dated 7/8/2010 10:19:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time, blittle@citynet.net writes:

DEP is proposing a statewide water quality standard for “Total Dissolved Solids” (TDS) of 500mg/l measured in-stream (currently WV has no standard). This is stronger than Pennsylvania’s standard of 500mg/l which is measured only at public water supply in-takes. However, it is twice as high as the 250mg/l that EPA recommends as the Human Health Standard for total dissolved solids (TDS is an indicator of the presence of a broad array of chemical contaminants) If we look in detail at the EPA recommendation, it is 250 mg/l for chloride and sulfate, not "total" dissolved solids.......................

See the exerpt below from the following web site:

_http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/library/goldbook.pdf_ (http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/library/goldbook.pdf)

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SOLIDS (DISSOLVED) AND SALINlTY CRITERION: 250 mg/L for chlorides and s u l f a t e s i n domestic water supplies (welfare).

INTRODUCTION: Dissolved s o l i d s and t o t a l d i s s o l v e d s o l i d s are terms g e n e r a l l y a s s o c i a t e d with freshwater systems and c o n s i s t of inorganic s a l t s , small amounts of organic matter, and dissolved materials (Sawyer, 1960). The equivalent terminology i n Standard Methods is f i l t r a b l e residue (Standard Methods, 1971). S a l i n i t y is an oceanographic term, and although not precisely equivalent t o the t o t a l dissolved s a l t content it is related t o it (Capurro, 1970). For most purposes, the terms t o t a l dissolved s a l t content and s a l i n i t y are e q u i v a l e n t . The p r i n c i p a l inorganic anions dissolved i n water include the carbonates, chlorides, s u l f a t e s , and n i t r a t e s ( p r i n c i p a l l y i n ground waters) ; the p r i n c i p a l cations are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

RATIONALE : Excess dissolved s o l i d s are objectionable i n drinking water because of possible physiological e f f e c t s , unpalatable mineral tastes, and higher c o s t s because of c o r r o s i o n or t h e n e c e s s i t y for additional treatment. The p h y s i o l o g i c a l effects d i r e c t l y related t o d i s s o l v e d s o l i d s include l a x a t i v e e f f e c t s p r i n c i p a l l y from sodium s u l f a t e and magnesium s u l f a t e and the adverse effect of sodium on c e r t a i n p a t i e n t s a f f l i c t e d w i t h cardiac disease and women w i t h toxemia a s s o c i a t e d w i t h pregnancy. One study w a s made using data ,. ~ e collected from wells in North Dakota. Results from a questionnaire showed that with wells in which sulfates ranged from 1,000 to 1,500 mg/L, 62 percent of the respondents indicated laxative effects associated with consumption of the water. However, nearly one-quarter of the respondents to the questionnaire reported difficulties when concentrations ranged from 200 to 500 mg/L (Moore, 1952). To protect transients to an area, a sulfate level of 250 mg/L should afford reasonable protection from laxative effects. As indicated, sodium frequently is the principal component of dissolved solids. Persons on restricted sodium diets may have an intake restricted from 500 to 1,000 mg/day (Nat. Res. Coun., 1954). That portion ingested in water must be compensated by reduced levels in food ingested so that the total does not exceed the allowable intake. Using certain assumptions of water intake (e.g., 2 liters of water consumed per day) and sodium content of food, it has been calculated that for very restricted sodium diets, 20 mg/L in water would be the maximum, while for moderately restricted diets, 270 mg/L would be maximum. Specific sodium levels for entire water supplies have not been recommended but various restricted sodium intakes are recommended because: (1) the general population is not adversely affected by sodium, but various restricted sodium intakes are recommended by physicians for a significant portion of the population, and (2) 270 mg/L of sodium is representative of mineralized waters that may be aesthetically unacceptable, but many domestic water supplies exceed this level. Treatment for removal bf sodium in water supplies is costly (NAS, 1974). A study based on consumer surveys in 29 California water systems was made to measure the taste threshold of dissolved salts in water (Bruvold et al., 1969). Systems were selected to eliminate possible interferences from other taste-causing substances than dissolved salts. The study revealed that consumers rated waters with 319 to 397 mg/L dissolved solids as llexcellentwlhti le those with 1,283 to 1,333 mg/L dissolved solids were "unacceptable" depending on the rating system used. A *lgoodll rating was registered for dissolved solids less than 658 to 755 mg/L. The 1962 PHS Drinking Water Standards recommended a maximum dissolved solids concentration of 500 mg/L unless more suitable supplies were unavailable. Specific constituents included in the dissolved solids in water may cause mineral tastes at lower concentrations than other constituents. Chloride ions have frequently been cited as having a low taste threshold in water. Data from Ricter and MacLean (1939) on a taste panel of 53 adults indicated that 61 mg/L NaCl was the median level for detecting a difference from distilled water. At a median concentration of 395 mg/L chloride a salty taste was distinguishable, although the range was from 120 to 1,215 mg/L. Lockhart, @t al. 1955) evaluated the effect of chlorides on water used for brewing coffee indicated threshold concentrations for chloride ranging from 210 mg/L to 310 mg/L depending on the associated cation. These data indicate that a 0 level of 250 mg/L chlorides is a reasonable maximum level to .p protect consumers of drinking water. The causation of corrosion and encrustation of metallic surfaces by water containing dissolved solids is well known. In water distribution systems corrosion is controlled by insulating dissimilar metal connections by nonmetallic materials, using pH control and corrosion inhibitors, or some form of galvanic or impressed electrical current systems (Lehmann, 1964). In household systems water piping, wastewater piping, water heaters, faucets, toilet flushing mechanisms, garbage grinders and both clothes and dishwashing machines incure damage. By using water with 1,150 mg/L dissolved solids as compared with 250 mg/L, service life was reduced from 70 percent for toilet flushing mechanisms to 30 percent for washing equipment. Such increased corrosion was calculated in 1968 to cost the consumer an additional $0.50 per 1,000 gallons used. All species of fish and other aquatic life must tolerate a range of dissolved solids concentrations in order to survive under natural conditions. Based on studies in Saskatchewan it has been indicated that several common freshwater species survived 10,000 mg/L dissolved solids, that whitefish and pikeperch survived 15,000 mg/L, but only the stickleback survived 20,000 mg/L dissolved solids. It was concluded that lakes with dissolved solids in excess of 15,000 mg/L were unsuitable for most freshwater fishes (Rawson and Moore, 1944). The 1968 NTAC Report also recommended less than that caused chloride. maintaining osmotic pressure levels of by a 15,000 mg/L solution of sodium Marine f i s h e s a l s o e x h i b i t v a r i a n c e i n a b i l i t y t o t o l e r a t e s a l i n i t y changes. However, f i s h k i l l s i n Laguna Madre o f f t h e Texas coast h a v e o c c u r r e d with s a l i n i t i e s i n the range of 75 t o 100 o/oo. Such c o n c e n t r a t e d seawater is caused by e v a p o r a t i o n and l a c k of exchange w i t h the Gulf of Mexico (Rounsafell and Everhart, 1953). E s t u a r i n e s p e c i e s of f i s h a r e t o l e r a n t of s a l i n i t y changes ranging from fresh t o brackish t o seawater. Anadromous species likewise are t o l e r a n t although evidence indicates t h a t the young cannot t o l e r a t e t h e change u n t i l t h e normal t i m e of migration (Rounsefell and Everhart, 1953). Other a q u a t i c s p e c i e s are more dependent on s a l i n i t y f o r p r o t e c t i o n from p r e d a t o r s o r r e q u i r e c e r t a i n minimal s a l i n i t i e s for successful hatching of eggs. The o y s t e r d r i l l cannot t o l e r a t e s a l i n i t i e s less than 12.5 o/oo, Therefore, estuarine segments containing s a l i n i t i e s below about 1 2 . 5 o/oo produce most of t h e seed o y s t e r s f o r p l a n t i n g (Rounsefell and Everhart, 1953). Based on similar examples, the 1968 NTAC Report recommended t h a t t o p r o t e c t f i s h and o t h e r marine animals no changes in hydrography or stream flow should be allowed that permanently change isohaline p a t t e r n s i n the estuary by more than 10 percent from n a t u r a l variation. Many of the recommended game bird l e v e l s f o r dissolved s o l i d s concentrations i n drinking water have been extrapolated from data c o l l e c t e d on domestic species such as chickens. However, young ducklings were r e p o r t e d poisoned i n Suisan Marsh by s a l t when maximum summer s a l i n i t i e s v a r i e d from 0.55 t o 1.74 o/oo w i t h ~ means as high as 1.26 o/oo ( G r i f f i t h , 1963). I n d i r e c t e f f e c t s of excess dissolved solids are primarily the elimination of desirable food plants and other habitat-forming p l a n t s . Rapid s a l i n i t y changes cause plasmolysis of t e n d e r l e a v e s and stems because of changes i n osmotic pressure. The 1968 NTAC Report recommended the following l i m i t s i n s a l i n i t y variation from natural t o protect w i l d l i f e habitats: Natural Salinity Variation Permitted (O/OO) (o/oo) 0 t o 3.5 1 3.5 to 13.5 2 13.5 to 35 4 A g r i c u l t u r a l uses of water a r e a l s o l i m i t e d by excessive d i s s o l v e d s o l i d s concentrations. Studies have indicated t h a t chickens, swine, c a t t l e , and sheep can survive on s a l i n e waters up t o 15,000 mg/L of s a l t s of sodium and calcium combined with bicarbonates, c h l o r i d e s , and s u l f a t e s but only 10,000 mg/L of corresponding s a l t s of potassium and magnesium. The approximate l i m i t for highly alkaline waters containing sodium and calcium carbonates is 5,000 mg/L (NTAC, 1968). I r r i g a t i o n use of water depends not only upon the osmotic effect of dissolved solids, but a l s o on the r a t i o of the various c a t i o n s p r e s e n t . I n a r i d and s e m i a r i d a r e a s general c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of s a l i n i t y hazards has been prepared (NTAC, 1968) (see Table 9). Table 9.-Dissolved Solids Hazard f o r I r r i g a t i o n Water (mg/L). water from which no detrimental effects w i l l usually be noticed--------------------- 500 .-... ,, water which can have detrimental e f f e c t s on sensit i v e crops--------------------- 500-1,000 water t h a t may have adverse effects on many crops and requires c a r e f u l managemerit practices----------------- 1,000-2,000 water t h a t can be used f o r t o l e r a n t p l a n t s on permeable s o i l s w i t h c a r e f u l management practices----------- 2,000-5,000 The amount of sodium and the percentage of sodium i n r e l a t i o n t o o t h e r c a t i o n s a r e o f t e n i m p o r t a n t . I n a d d i t i o n t o c o n t r i b u t i n g t o osmotic p r e s s u r e , sodium is t o x i c t o c e r t a i n plants, e s p e c i a l l y f r u i t s , and frequently causes problems in s o i l s t r u c t u r e , i n f i l t r a t i o n , and p e r m e a b i l i t y rates ( A g r i c u l t u r e Handbook #60, 1954). A high percentage of exchangeable sodium i n s o i l s c o n t a i n i n g c l a y s t h a t s w e l l when w e t can cause a s o i l c o n d i t i o n adverse t o water movement and p l a n t growth. The exchangeable-sodium percentage (ESP) * is an index of the sodium s t a t u s of s o i l s . An ESP of 1 0 t o 15 p e r c e n t is c o n s i d e r e d excessive i f a high p e r c e n t a g e of s w e l l i n g clay m i n e r a l s is p r e s e n t ( A g r i c u l t u r a l Handbook #60, 1954). 0 For s e n s i t i v e f r u i t s , t h e t o l e r a n c e f o r sodium f o r i r r i g a t i o n water is f o r a sodium a d s o r p t i o n r a t i o (SAR)** of about 4, whereas for g e n e r a l c r o p s and forages a r a n g e of 8 t o 18 is g e n e r a l l y considered usable (NTAC, 1968). It is emphasized t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n of these f a c t o r s must be i n t e r p r e t e d i n r e l a t i o n t o s p e c i f i c s o i l conditions e x i s t i n g i n a given l o c a l e and t h e r e f o r e frequently r e q u i r e s f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n . I n d u s t r i a l r e q u i r e m e n t s r e g a r d i n g t h e d i s s o l v e d s o l i d s . ,- c o n t e n t of raw waters is q u i t e v a r i a b l e . Table 10 i n d i c a t e s Table 10.-Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations of Surface Waters That Have Been Used as Sources for Industrial Water Supplies Industry/Use Maximum Concentration ( m g m Textile 150 Pulp and Paper 1,080 Chemical 2,500 Petroleum 3,500 Primary Metals . 1,500 Boiler Make-up 35,000 maximum values accepted by various industries for process requirements (NAS, 1974). Since water of almost any dissolved 0 solids concentration can be de-ionized to meet the most stringent requirements, the economics of such treatment are the 1 imiting factor for industry. *ESP = 100 [a + b(SAR)] 1 [a + b(SAR)] where: a = intercept respresenting experimental error (ranges from -0.06 to 0.01) from 0.014 to 0.016) b =slope of regression line (ranges **SAR = sodium adsorption ratio = Na - [0.5(Ca + Mg)]"" SAR is expressed as milliequivalents (QUALITY CRITERIA FOR WATER, JULY 1976) PB-263943 SEE APPENDIX C FOR METHODOLOGY