pH Criteria for Surface Water Quality Standards

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Part II–Designated Uses and Criteria

pH

173-201A-200
Fresh water designated uses and criteria.

Statutory Authority: Chapters 90.48 and 90.54 RCW. 03-14-129 (Order 02-14), § 173-201A-200, filed 7/1/03, effective 8/1/03.

(g) Aquatic life pH criteria. Measurement of pH is expressed as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. Table 200 (1)(g) lists the pH levels for each of the aquatic life use categories.

Table 200 (1)(g) Aquatic Life pH Criteria in Fresh Water

Use Category	pH Units
Char Spawning and Rearing	pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5, with a human-caused variation within the above range of less than 0.2 units.
Core Summer Salmonid Habitat	Same as above.
Salmonid Spawning, Rearing, and Migration	pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5 with a human-caused variation within the above range of less than 0.5 units.
Salmonid Rearing and Migration Only	Same as above.
Non-anadromous Interior Redband Trout	Same as above.
Indigenous Warm Water Species	Same as above.

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Last updated October 2007

Part II–Designated Uses and Criteria

pH

173-201A-200 Fresh water designated uses and criteria.

173-201A-200
Fresh water designated uses and criteria.