B.C. Reg. 375/96
O.C. 1480/96 and M271/2004		 Deposited December 16, 1996
effective April 1, 1997

Environmental Management Act

Contaminated Sites Regulation

[includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 343/2008, January 1, 2009]

 

Schedule 6

[en. B.C. Reg. 324/2004, s. 68; am. B.C. Regs. 405/2004; 76/2005;
239/2007, s. 7; 343/2008, ss. 15 and 16.]

Generic Numerical Water Standards 1

COLUMN I COLUMN II COLUMN III COLUMN IV COLUMN V
Substance Aquatic Life2 
(AW) 		Irrigation2,3 
(IW) 		Livestock2 
(LW) 		Drinking Water4 
(DW)
Inorganic Substances
aluminum   5 000 5 000 200
ammonia 1 310 @ pH > 8.55,6      
  3 700 @ pH 8.0 - < 8.55,6      
  11 300 @ pH 7.5 - < 8.05,6      
  18 500 @ pH 7.0 - < 7.55,6      
  18 400 @ pH < 7.05,6      
         
  2 300 @ pH > 8.57,8      
  6 850 @ pH 8.0 - < 8.57,8      
  20 000 @ pH 7.5 - < 8.07,8      
  64 000 @ pH 7.0 - < 7.57,8      
  200 000 @ pH < 7.07,8      
antimony 200     6
arsenic 506, 1208 100 25 10
barium 10 0006, 5 0008     1 000
beryllium 536, 1 0008 100 100  
boron 50 000 500-6 0009 5 000 5 000
bromate       10
cadmium 0.1 @ H < 306,10 5 80 5
  0.3 @ H = 30 - < 906,10      
  0.5 @ H = 90 - < 1506,10      
  0.6 @ H = 150 - < 2106,10      
  18      
calcium     1 000 mg/L  
chloride 1 500 mg/L6 100 mg/L49 600 mg/L 250 mg/L11
chlorine 206, 308 1 000    
chromium 106,12, 906,13 812, 513 5012,13 50
  1508,12, 5608,13      
cobalt 40 50 1 000  
copper 20 @ H < 506,10 200 300 1 00011
  30 @ H = 50 - < 756,10      
  40 @ H = 75 - < 1006,10      
  50 @ H = 100 - < 1256,10      
  60 @ H = 125 - < 1506,10      
  70 @ H = 150 - < 1756,10      
  80 @ H = 175 - < 2006,10      
  90 @ H > 2006,10      
  208      
cyanide (WAD)14 506, 108      
cyanide (SAD)15       200
fluoride 2 000 @ H< 506,10 1 000 1 00016 1 500
  3 000 @ H > 506,10      
  15 0008      
iron   5 000   30011
lead 40 @ H < 506,10 200 100 10
  50 @ H = 50 - < 1006,10      
  60 @ H = 100 - < 2006,10      
  110 @ H = 200 - < 3006,10      
  160 @ H > 3006,10      
  208      
lithium   2 50049 5 000  
magnesium       100 mg/L11
manganese   200   5011
mercury 1 1 2 1
molybdenum 10 000 10 - 3017 50 250
monochloramine 518     3 00019
nickel 250 @ H < 606,10 200 1 000  
  650 @ H = 60 - < 1206,10      
  1 100 @ H = 120 - < 1806,10      
  1 500 @ H > 1806,10      
  838      
nitrate (as N) 400 mg/L20   100 mg/L21 10 00021
nitrate and nitrite (as N) 400 mg/L20   100 mg/L21 10 00021
nitrite (as N) 200 (Cl < 2 mg/L)22   10 000 3 200
  400 (Cl = 2 - < 4 mg/L)22      
  600 (Cl = 4 - < 6 mg/L)22      
  800 (Cl = 6 - < 8 mg/L)22      
  1 000 (Cl = 8 - < 10 mg/L)22      
  2 000 (Cl > 10 mg/L)22      
salinity 55 15 g/L6,23,24      
  10 g/L if natural salinity is
0 - < 3.5g/L8,23,25		      
  20 g/L if natural salinity is
3.5 - < 13.5g/L8,23,25		      
  40 g/L if natural salinity is
13.5 - 35g/L8,23,25		      
selenium 106, 5408 2026, 5027 50 10
silver 0.5 @ H < 1006,10      
  15 @ H > 1006,10      
  158      
sodium       200 mg/L11
sulphate 1 000 mg/L   1 000 mg/L 500 mg/L11
sulphide (as H2S) 20     5011
thallium 3      
titanium 1 000      
uranium 3 0006, 1 0008 10 200 20
vanadium   100 100  
zinc 75 @ H < 906,10 1 000 @ pH < 6.028 2 000 5 00011
  150 @ H = 90 - < 1006,10 2 000 @ pH 6.0 - < 7.028    
  900 @ H = 100 - < 2006,10 5 000 @ pH > 7.028    
  1 650 @ H = 200 - < 3006,10      
  2 400 @ H = 300 - < 4006,10      
  1008      
Miscellaneous Inorganic and
Organic Substances
acrolein     329  
aniline 20      
methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) 34 0006, 4 4008   11 000 15
nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)       400
nonaqueous phase liquids not present30 not present30 not present30 not present30
VPHw 1 50031      
LEPHw 50032      
VHw6-10  15 00033,34 15 00033,34 15 00033,34 15 00033,34
EPHw10-19  5 00033,35 5 00033,35 5 00033,35 5 00033,35
Organic Substances
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
chlorinated aliphatics
hexachlorobutadiene, 1,3
1 		     
hexachlorocyclohexane36 0.1   4 4
vinyl chloride       2
chlorinated benzenes
 dichlorobenzene, 1,2-
76, 4208		    
311
dichlorobenzene, 1,3- 1 500      
dichlorobenzene, 1,4- 260     111
hexachlorobenzene     0.5  
monochlorobenzene 136, 1208     3011
pentachlorobenzene 60      
tetrachlorobenzene, 1,2,3,4- 18      
trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3- 80      
trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4- 2406, 548      
chlorinated ethanes
 dichloroethane, 1,2-
1 000 		 
5
5
chlorinated ethenes
 dichloroethylene, 1,1-
(dichloroethene, 1,1-) 		     

14
tetrachloroethylene
(tetrachloroethene, 1,1,2,2-) 		1 100     30
trichloroethylene
(trichloroethene, 1,1,2-) 		200   50 5
Glycols
ethylene glycol 1 920 mg/L      
propylene glycol, 1,2- 5 000 mg/L      
Halogenated Methanes
bromodichloromethane (BDCM)     100 16
dibromochloromethane (DBCM)     100 10037
dichloromethane
(methylene chloride) 		980
  		  50
  		50
 
tetrachloromethane
(carbon tetrachloride) 		130
  		  5
  		5
 
tribromomethane
(bromoform) 		    100
  		37
trichloromethane
(chloroform) 		20 
   		  100
  		10037
Monocyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (MAHs)
benzene 4 0006,38, 1 0008,38     5
ethylbenzene 2 0006,38, 2 5008,38     2.411
styrene 720    
toluene 3906,38,39, 3 3008,38,39     2411
xylenes (total)       30011
Organotins
di-n-butyltin 0.8      
tributyltin 0.086, 0.058,29   250  
tricyclohexyltin     25040  
triethyltin 440      
triphenyltin 0.240   80040  
Phenolic Substances
chlorinated phenols
dichlorophenol 		2.5 — 34041   0.311 0.311
monochlorophenol 8.5 — 65041   0.111 0.111
pentachlorophenol 1 — 27.541   3011 3011
tetrachlorophenol 2 — 18041   111 111
trichlorophenol 1 — 27041   211 211
nonchlorinated phenols
nonchlorinated phenols (total)
10 		     
Phthalic Acid Esters
dibutyl phthalate (DBP) 190      
di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) 160      
Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
acenaphthene 60      
acridine 0.5      
anthracene 1      
benzo[a]anthracene 1      
benz[a]pyrene 0.1     0.01
chrysene 1      
fluoranthene 2      
fluorene 120      
naphthalene 10      
phenanthrene 3      
pyrene 0.2      
quinoline 34      
Pesticides
aldicarb 106, 1.58 54.942, 67.543 11 9
aldrin and dieldrin 0.04   0.7 0.7
atrazine 206, 1008 10 60 5
azinphos-methyl     20 20
bendiocarb     40 40
bromocil 50 0.244, 0.645 1 100  
bromoxynil 50 0.3543 11 5
captan 28   10  
carbaryl 26, 38   1 100 90
carbofuran 18   45 90
chlordane 0.06   7 7
chlorothalonil 26, 48 5.8 170
chlorpyrifos 0.0356, 0.028   24 90
cyanazine 20 0.5 10 10
2,4-D46 40   100 100
DDT47 0.0148   3048 3048
deltamethrin 0.129   2.5
diazinon 0.03   14 20
dicamba 100 0.129 122 120
diclofop-methyl 61 0.18 9 9
dimethoate 62   3 20
dinoseb 0.5 1649, 4650, 9343 15051 10
diquat     70 70
diuron     150 150
endosulfan 0.2      
endrin 0.023   0.2  
glyphosate 650   280 280
heptachlor & heptachlor
epoxide
0.1 		 
3
3
lindane 0.1 4 4
linuron 70 0.529,44, 3.345    
malathion 1   190 190
MCPA52 266, 428 0.529 25
methoxychlor     900 900
metolachlor 80 28 50 50
metribuzin 10 0.5 80 80
paraquat (as dichloride)     10 10
parathion     50 50
phorate     2 2
picloram 290 0.5 190 190
simazine 100 0.5 10 10
2,4,5-T53     20 20
tebuthiuron 16 229,45 130
temephos     280 280
terbufos     1 1
toxaphene54 0.08   5
triallate 2.4   230 230
trifluralin 1   45 45

Footnotes

1. All values are in ug/L unless otherwise stated. Substances must be analyzed using methods specified in a director's protocol or alternate methods acceptable to a director.
2. (a) Aquatic life standards assume minimum 1:10 dilution available. Aquatic life standards are to protect freshwater and marine life unless otherwise indicated.
(b) Standards for all organic substances are for total substance concentrations. Any water sample to be analyzed for organic substances should not be filtered.
(c) Standards for surface water samples to be analyzed for heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions are total substance concentrations. In addition, it is recommended that surface water samples being analyzed for heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions should also be analyzed for dissolved substance concentrations.
(d) Standards for groundwater samples for heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions are for dissolved substance concentrations. In addition, it is recommended that groundwater samples being analyzed for metals, metalloids and inorganic ions should be analyzed for total substance concentrations.
3. Applies to irrigation of all soil types.
4. Drinking water standards are for unfiltered samples obtained at the point of consumption. Heavy metals, metalloids and inorganic ions are expressed as total substance concentrations unless otherwise indicated.
5. Standard varies with pH and temperature. 10ºC is assumed. Consult director for further advice.
6. Standard to protect freshwater aquatic life.
7. Standard varies with pH, temperature and salinity. 10ºC and 10 g/L is assumed. Consult director for further advice.
8. Standard to protect marine and/or estuarine aquatic life.
9. Standard applies to all crops.
Crop Standard (ug/L)
blackberry 500
barley, cherry, cowpea, garlic, grape, Jerusalem artichoke, kidney bean, lima bean, lupin, mung bean, onion, peach, plum, sesame, strawberry, sunflower, sweet potato, wheat 1 000
carrot, cucumber, pea, potato, radish, red pepper 2 000
artichoke, bluegrass (Kentucky) cabbage, celery, clover, corn, lettuce, muskmelon, mustard, oat, squash, tobacco, turnip 4 000
alfalfa, asparagus, parsley, purple vetch, red beet, sorghum, sugar beet, tomato 6 000
10. H means water hardness in mg/L CaCO3.
11. Standard to protect against taste and odour concerns.
12. Standard is specific to chromium VI.
13. Standard is specific to chromium III.
14. WAD means weak acid dissociable.
15. SAD means strong acid dissociable.
16. Standard varies with type of livestock. Consult director for further advice.
17. Standard varies with crop, soil drainage and Mo:Cu ratio. Consult director for further advice.
18. Substance is extremely labile in water. Extended hold times are inappropriate. It is recommended that samples be analysed in the field or immediately upon receipt by laboratory.
19. Standard is specific for total chloramines.
20. Standard may not protect all amphibians. Consult director for further advice.
21. Where nitrate and nitrite are present, total nitrate plus nitrite-nitrogen should not exceed this value.
22. Standard varies with chloride concentration. Consult director for further advice.
23. Standard applies only if minimum 1:10 dilution available in receiving waterbody.
24. Freshwater is defined as water having a natural salinity < 1.5 g/L.
25. Standard varies with natural salinity of receiving waterbody.
26. Standard for continuous applications on crops.
27. Standard for intermittent application on crops.
28. Standard varies with soil pH.
29. Standard has been adjusted based on the reference analytical detection limit for the substance. The toxicologically-based value is less than the reference analytical detection limit for the substance. Therefore, the standard has been set to equal the reference analytical detection limit.
30. Water must be remediated so that nonaqueous phase liquids are not present in quantities in excess of that acceptable to a director.
31. VPHw includes volatile petroleum hydrocarbons with the exception of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes. This generic standard may be modified by developing a site-specific standard. Consult director for further advice.
32. LEPHw includes light extractable petroleum hydrocarbons with the exception of acenaphthene, acridine, anthracene, fluorene, naphthalene and phenanthrene. This generic standard may be modified by developing a site-specific standard. Consult director for further advice.
33. Standard is applicable at all sites, irrespective of water use.
34. VHw6-10 includes volatile petroleum hydrocarbons.
35. EPHW10-19 includes light extractable petroleum hydrocarbons.
36. Standard is applicable to all hexachlorocyclohexane isomers.
37. Standard is specific for total trihalomethanes. Sum of the concentrations of bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), tribromomethane (bromoform) and trichloromethane (chloroform) must not exceed the standard specified.
38. This generic standard may be modified by developing a site-specific standard. Consult director for further advice.
39. Standard comes into effect January 1, 2002. Until that date applicable standard is 3 000 µg/L.
40. No reference analytical method has been specified for substance. Consult director for further advice.
41. Standard varies with pH, temperature and substance isomer. Consult director for further advice.
42. Standard to protect crops other than legumes.
43. Standard to protect legumes.
44. Standard to protect crops other than cereals, tame hays and pasture.
45. Standard to protect cereals, tame hays and pasture crops.
46. 2,4-D is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.
47. DDT is 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane.
48. Includes DDT metabolites.
49. Standard to protect all types of crops.
50. Standard to protect cereal crops and hay.
51. Standard to protect lactating dairy animals.
52. MCPA is 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid.
53. 2,4,5-T is 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid.
54. Standard is applicable to all toxaphene isomers.
55. Values of salinity for a sample provided in g/L or on the Practical Salinity Scale (PSS) are equivalent.

Contents  |  Parts 1 to 18  |  Schedule 1  |  Schedule 1.1  |  Schedule 2  |  Schedule 3  |  Schedule 4  |  Schedule 5  |  Schedule 6  |  Schedule 7  |  Schedule 8  |  Schedule 9  |  Schedule 10  |  Schedule 11

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