GROUNDWATER STANDARDS

On this page you can learn about what Groundwater Standards are, and how they are used.  The latest information about Groundwater Standards is also provided.

SEEKING COMMENTS ON PROPOSED RULES:

New Proposed Revisions to 2L Groundwater Rules

New Proposed Revisions to 2I Rulemaking Petition Rules

Frequently Requested Documents

• 15A NCAC 02L Groundwater Rules (January 1, 2010) 
• Groundwater Standards Table
• Interim Maximum Allowable Concentrations (IMACs)
• Groundwater Standards Development SOP

Groundwater Standards Information 

1. What are groundwater quality standards?
2. How are groundwater quality standards established?
3. How often are the groundwater quality standards updated?
4. What if there is not an established standard for a pollutant that has been detected in groundwater?
5. What analytical methods should be used to determine compliance with the Groundwater Quality Standards?
6. What if the groundwater standard is lower than the level at which a laboratory can reliably detect the presence of the pollutant?
7. What happens when naturally occurring background levels are higher than the groundwater standard?
8. Who is responsible for enforcing the groundwater standards?
9. Whom do I contact to have my well water tested if I think it may be contaminated?
10. Where can I find information about the health effects of contaminants found in groundwater?
    

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are groundwater quality standards and how are they established?

Groundwater quality standards are the maximum allowable concentrations of pollutants in groundwater which may be tolerated without creating a threat to human health or which would otherwise render the groundwater unsuitable for use as a drinking water source. 

The Division of Water Quality’s Classifications and Standards Unit is responsible for the development and maintenance of North Carolina’s groundwater standards. Regulations pertaining to the classifications and water quality standards applicable to groundwaters of North Carolina are located in Title 15A of the North Carolina Administrative Code, Subchapter 2L, Sections .0100, .0200, .0300 and .0400. These regulations can be located in the NC Administrative code at CSU Rules webpage.

2. How are groundwater quality standards established?

Groundwater quality standards are established as the lowest of the following six criteria:

1. A concentration protective of the non-cancer or systemic effects of a contaminant. 

2. A concentration which corresponds to an incremental lifetime cancer risk of one-in-a-million;

3. The taste threshold limit value;

4. The odor threshold limit value;

5. The National Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Level; or

6. The National Secondary Drinking Water Standard.

In addition to the standards listed in Section .0200 of the 2L rule, the DWQ Director may establish an interim maximum allow concentration (IMAC) for substances for which a standard has not been established.

3. How often are the groundwater quality standards updated?

Every three years the State is required to review its groundwater water quality standards and interim maximum allowable concentrations to determine if changes are needed and, if necessary, to make those changes. This review process is referred to as the “triennial review.” Revision of standards is sometimes needed to incorporate the most recent health and toxicological information. Information on the triennial review can be found on the Groundwater Triennial Review webpage.

4. What if there is not an established standard for a pollutant that has been detected in groundwater?

Any person may petition the Division of Water Quality Director to establish an interim maximum allowable concentration (IMAC) for a substance for which a standard has not been established under the rules. The petitioner is required to submit relevant toxicological and epidemiological data, study results, and calculations necessary to establish a standard in accordance with the groundwater rules in 15A NCAC 2L .0202. If the information submitted is adequate, the Director may establish an enforceable IMAC.

If there is not enough information available to establish a standard or interim maximum allowable concentration for a substance, then that substance is not permitted in groundwater above detectable concentrations. A detectable concentration is defined as a detection of that substance at or above the practical quantitation limit. The practical quantitation limit is the lowest concentration of a substance that can be reliably achieved by a laboratory. Note that the practical quantitation limit may vary slightly from lab to lab due to sample matrix interference, dilution and other factors.

5. What analytical methods should be used to determine compliance with the Groundwater Quality Standards?

As outline in the regulations at 15A NCAC 2L .0112, tests or analytical procedures used to determine compliance or noncompliance with the standards should be in accordance with:

1. The most sensitive of the following methods or procedures for substances where the standard is at or above the method detection limit value: 

a. The most recent version of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, published jointly by American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation;

b. Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Waste, 1979, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication number EPA?600/4-79-020, as revised March 1983;

c. Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Wastes: Physical/Chemical Methods, 3rd Edition, 1986, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication number SW-846;

d. Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants Under the Clean Water Act, Federal Register Vol. 49, No. 209, 40 CFR Part 136, October 26, 1984;

e. Methods or procedures approved by letter from the Director upon application by the regulated source; or

2. A method or procedure approved by the Director for substances where the standard is less than the method detection limit value. 

6. What if the groundwater standard is lower than the level at which a laboratory can reliably detect and quantify the presence of the pollutant?

Where the standard for a substance is less than the practical quantitation limit, the detection of that substance at or above the practical quantitation limit constitutes a violation of the standard.

7. What happens when naturally occurring background levels are higher than the groundwater standard?

Where naturally occurring substances exceed the established standard, the standard shall be the naturally occurring concentration as determined by the Division of Water Quality Director.

8. Who is responsible for enforcing the groundwater standards?

The Division of Water Quality’s Aquifer Protection Section is responsible for protecting and preserving NC’s groundwater resources through its pollution prevention strategies, monitoring programs, permitting activities and enforcement actions. For more information on the APS please visit their webpage.

The Division of Waste Management, which regulates solid waste disposal, hazardous waste management, underground storage tanks and Superfund cleanups, also enforces the groundwater standards. For more information on the DWM please visit their web site at http://wastenotnc.org/ .

Where groundwater quality has been degraded, the goal of any required corrective action is restoration to the level of the standards or as closely thereto as is economically and technologically feasible.

9. Whom do I contact to have my well water tested if I think it may be contaminated?

You can contact your county or local health department for a list of laboratories in your area that do water testing. The cost will vary, depending on the laboratory and the test(s). Contact information for local health departments can be found on the Division of Public Health web site at http://www.ncpublichealth.com/.

10. Where can I find information about the health effects of contaminants found in groundwater? 

The following Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water Web page connects you to fact sheets for many contaminants: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/basicinformation.html.

In addition, the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry provides toxicological profiles for a number of contaminants at the following Web site: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/.