Environmental quality standards regarding water pollution No. 59, amended by Environment Agency Notification No. 63 of 1974, no. 3 of 1975, No. 41 of 1982, No. 140 of 1982, No. 29 of 1985 and No. 1 of 1986

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STANDARDS REGARDING WATER POLLUTION Environment Agency Notification No. 59, December 28, 1971 Amended: Environment Agency Notification No. 63 of 1974, No.3 of 1975, No. 41 of 1982, No. 140 of 1982, No. 29 of 1985 and No.1 of 1986 This is the notification of the environmental quality standards concerning water pollution under the provision of Article 9 of the Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control (Law No. 132 of 1967): The followings are the desirable water quality standards to be maintained in public water areas (hereinafter referred to as the "envir onmental quality standards"): for the protection of the human health and the preservation of the living environment (which is defined in the provision of Paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Basic Law; the same here under) in accordance with Article 9 of the Basic Law. Part I. Environmental quality standards The followings are the environmental quality standards for the public water areas regarding the protection of the human health and the preservation of the living environment: 1. Environmental quality standards regarding the protection of the human health The environmental quality standards regarding the protection of the human health are shown in Table I for all public water areas. 2. Water quality standards regarding the preservation of the living environment (1) The environmental quality standard regarding the preservation of the living environment are shown in the column of standard values of Table 2. The designation of the Type shown in the table for a public water' area is done in accordance with the provision (2). (2) The type of water area pertinent to each public water area shall be designated by the Director General of the Environment Agency with regard to those public water areas which are shown in the Annex of the Cabinet Order Concerning the Delegation of the Authority to Designate Water and Land Areas in Connection with the Environmental Quality Standards (Cabinet Order No. 159 of 1971), and by prefectural governors with regard to other public waters in accordance with said Cabinet Order. 46 (3) Designation of the type of water area in accordance with the provision of paragraph (2) shall be made for all public waters where water pollution needs to be prevented giving full regard to th e following matters : a. To give priority to th ose wate r areas in which water pollution has beco me grave. or in wh ich th ere is threat th at wa ter pollution will become grave : b. To pay attention to present usage and the future tr ends of usa ge of each water area: c. To take into condideration the condition of wat er pollution and the location of pollution sources of each water area; d. To pay attention not to allow th e water qual ity in each water are a to becom e mor e det er iorat ed than th e present qu ality, and e. To give full co nside ra tio n to th e target date paying attentio n to the rela tions between the da te and measures to be tak en for the achieveme nt of th e target. (4) When th e Direct or General of th e En vironment Agency desig nate th e water area in accordanc e with (2) above, he shall in advanc e consu lt the Central Council for Control of Env ironmental Pollution , prefectural governors concerned, and other persons concerned. (5) Whenever a type of water. area has been designated in accord ance of (2) above, the contents of the designation and the target date provided for in sub-paragraph (3) e. above shall be announced publicly . (6) When the prefectural govern or designat es the typ e of water area under the Cabinet Order as provided in (2) abo ve, provisions of (3) and (5) above shall be foll owed and at th e same tim e the follow ing matters shall be observed. The Director General of the Environment Agen cy shall, on receiving a notice of b. hereunder, inform the chief of governmental organizations concerned of the notice. a. To consult with the prefectural env ironmental pollution con trol council and other persons concerned in advance; b. To give a notice to th e Director General of the Environment Agency in advance ; . c. In case th e water area in question is part of a public waters which belongs to two or more prefectures (hereinafter referred to as an " inter-prefectu ral water area"), to consult in advance with prefectural governors concerned, and to make the designation of the type of such an inter-prefectural water area on the same date as the designation of the other prefectural governors concerned in principle. (7 ) When there is a water area which requires prompt designation of typ e of water area among those water areas which the Cabinet Order referred to in (2) above provides that the prefectural governor shall designate th eir type, the Director General of the Environment 47 Agency shall advise the prefectural governor to designate the type of the water area under the provision of paragraph (2). Part II. Measuring methods, etc. of the water quality of public water areas When measuring the water quality of public water areas in order to examine the progress in achieving the environmental quality stand ards, the following matters shall be considered: ( I) The measuring method shall be as shown in tables I and 2 in the column of measuring method. In this case, selection of locations of measurement stations, sampling and treatment of samples, etc. shall be made in a manner which is considered to be the most suitable from the viewpoint of usage of the particular waters. (2) Measurement of water quality in connection with items of environmental quality standards regarding the protection of the human health shall be made at any time regardless the water quantity of the public waters. Such measurement in connection with items of standards regarding the preservation of the living environment shall be made when the quantity of the public waters is at its normal conditon. "Normal condition" here means, for example, that rivers have flow above their low water levels, and that lakes have water levels above their low water levels. (3) The judgement if the condition of water pollution of the public waters meets the environmental quality shandards shall be made taking into consideration the findings of measurement at two or three stations collectively. Part III. Target date of achieving the environmental quality standards, etc. Period of time required to achieve the environmental quality standards, and measures to be taken when the period is long, shall be as follows: 1. Environmental quality standards regarding the protection of the human health Efforts shall be made to achieve the standards immediately after their establishment and to maintain them thereafter. 2. Environmental quality standards regarding the preservation of the living environment Efforts shall be made to achieve these standards as soon as possible after their establishment in each public water area according to the 48 followings, together with the promotion of preventive measures: (I) Where massive population concentration and largescale indus trial development are now under way, and considerable water pollu tion has been, or is being produced, the period of time for achieving the standards is five years in principle. In case it is considered to be difficult because of the extreme seriousness of water pollution to achieve the standards within five years even if overall measures for improvement are taken, provisional targets shall be established to improve the water quality step by step, and thus efforts shall be made to achieve the ultimate goal at an earliest possible date. (2) In public water areas other than those in (l) above, efforts shall be made to achieve the standards immediately after their establishment, and to maintain them thereafter. Part IV. Review of the environmental quality standards 1. The environmental quality standards shall be revised as the occasion may demand as follows: (1) Changes in standard values, additions of items of environ mental conditions, etc. with the advance in scientific judgments. (2) Additions of items of environmental conditions, etc. with changes in the state of water pollution, in the situations of water pollu tion sources, etc. (3) Changes in designated area for each type of water area and in the period of time for achieving the environmental quality standards for particular water area resulting from the changes in modes of uses of the water area and other changes in situations. 2. Revisions of the environmental quality standards shall be made as follows: (l) Revisions of 1. (3) above shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Part 1., 2., (2) to (7). (2) When the prefectural governor in accordance with the Cabinet Order set forth in Part 1., 2., (2), plans to revise the designation of type of water area and the period of time for achieveing the environmental quality standards for such type of water area, which have been decided at the Cabinet meetings on September 1, 1970 and on May 25, 1971, an arrangement shall be made for the prefectural governor to consult with the Director General of the Environment Agency. 49 Table 1. Environmental quality standards regarding the protection of the Human Health Item Cadmium Cyanide Organic phosphorus' Lead Chromium (VI) Arsenic Total mercury Alkylmercury PCB Standard Values! 0.0 I mg/Q or less Not detectable Not detectable 0.1 mg/Q or less 0.05 mg/Q or less 0.05 mg/Q or less 0.0005 mg/Q or less Not detectable Not detectable Measuring Method (Abreviated) ! Maximum values. But with regard to Total mercury, standard value is based on the yearly average value. , Organic phosphorus includes parathion, methyl parathion, methyl demeton and E.P.N. 3 "Not detectable" means that the substance is below the level detectable by the specified method. The same in Table 2. • The standard for Total mercury is 0.001 mg/Q or less in case it is obvious that pollution in rivers is caused by natural factors. : }(Om;U'dl 50 Table 2. Environmental quality standards regarding the preservation of the Living Environment (l) Rivers (excluding lakes) ~ Standard Values' ~ Biochemical Suspended Dissolved Number of 0 pH Oxygen solids Oxygen Coliform ~ Purpose of Demand (SS) (DO) Groups'cd Utilization (BOD) U ! Water supply, 6.5-8.5 I mg/Q 25 mg/Q 7.5 mg/Q 50 MPN/AA class 1; conserva- or less or less or more 100mQor tion of natural less environment and uses listed in A E A Water supply, 6.5-8.5 2 mg/Q 25 mg/Q 7.5 mg/Q I,OOOMPN class 2; fishery, or less or less or more /100 me class I; bathing or less and uses listed in B-E B Water supply, 6.5-8.5 3 ttigls: 25 mg/Q 5 mg/Q 5,000MPN class 3; fishery, or less or less or more /l00 me class 2, and uses or less listed in C-E C Fishery, class 3; 6.5-8.5 5 mg/Q 50 mg/Q 5 mg/Q industrial water, or less or less or more class 1, and uses listed in D-E D Industrial water, 6.0-8.5 8 mg/Q 100 mg/Q 2 mg/Q class 2; agricul- or less or less or more tural water' , and uses listed in E E Industrial water, 6.0-8.5 10 mg/Q Floating 2 mg/Q class 3; conserva- or less matter or more tion of environ- such as ment garbage should not be observed Measuring Method (Omitted) Remarks: 1 The standard value is based on the daily average value. (The same applies to the standard values of lakes and coastal waters.) , At the inlet of agricultural water, pH shall be between 6.0 and 7.5 and dis solved oxygen shall not be less than 5 ppm. (The same applies to the stand ard values of lakes.) 3 (omitted) Notes: 1. Conservation of natural environment: Conservation of scenic spots and other natural resources. 2. Water supply, class 1: Water treated by simple cleaning operation, such as filtration. Water supply, class 2: Water treated by normal cleaning operation, such as sedimentation and filtration. 51 i) Water supply, class 3: Water treated through a highly sophisticated cleaning operation including pretreatment. 3. Fishery, class I: For aquatic life such as trout and bull trout inhabiting oligosaprobic water, and those of fishery class 2 and class 3. Fishery, class 2: For aquatic life, such as fish of the salmon family and sweetfish inhabiting oligosaprobic water and those of fishery class 3. Fishery, class 3: For aquatic life such as carp and silver carp inhabiting s-mesosaproblc water. 4. Industrial water, class 1: Water given normal cleaning treatment such as sedimentation. Industrial water, class 2: Water given sophisticated treatment by chemi cals. Industrial water, class 3: Water given special cleaning treatment. 5. Conservation of environment: Up to the limits at which no unpleasant ness is caused to people in their daily life (including a walk by the river side, etc.) (2) Lakes (natural lakes, and, reservoirs, marshes and artificial lakes with more than 10 million cubic meters of water) ~ Standard Values >- Chemical... Suspended Dissolved Number of ~ Oxygen 2 Purpose of pH Demand Solids' Oxygen Coliform '" (COD) (SS) (DO) GroupsU Utilization AA Water supply, 6.5-8.5 I mgjQ 1 mgjQ 7.5 mgjQ SO MPN/ class I; fishery, or less or less or more 100 mz or class I; conserva- less tion of natural environment and uses listed in A C A Water supply, 6.5-8.5 3 mgjQ 5 mgjQ 7.5 mgjQ I,OOOMPN Classes 2 and 3; or less or less or more /l00 mz fishery, class 2; or less bathing and uses listed in B-C B Fishery, class 3; 6.5-8.5 5 mgjQ IS mgjQ 5 mgjQ industrial water, or less or less or more class I; agricul tural water, and uses listed in C C Industrial water, 6.0-8.5 8 mgjQ Floating 2 mgjQ class 2; conserva- or less matter as or more tion of environ- garbage ment shall not be observ ed Measuring Method (Omitted) Remark: With regard to fishery, classes I, 2 and 3, the standard value for suspended solids shall not be applied for the time being. Note: See notes for Rivers. 52 ii) ~ Standard values Purpose of Utilization Total Total Catego Nitrogen Phosphorous Conservation of natural environment, and 0.1 mgjQI 0.005 mgjQ uses listed in II-V or less or less II Water supply classes I, 2 and 3 (excluding 0.2 mgjQ 0.01 mgjQ special types); Fishery type I, bathing and or less or less uses listed in III-V III Water supply class 3 (special types), and 0.4 mgjQ 0.03 mgjQ uses listed in IV-V or less or less IV Fishery type 2, and uses listed in V 0.6 mgjQ 0.05 mgjQ or less or less V Fishery type 3; industrial water; agricul- 1 mgjQ 0.1 mgjQ tural water; conservation of the living or less or less environment Remarks I. The standards are measured in terms of annual averages. 2. The designation of the types of water areas shall apply to lakes having the possibility of a substantial increase of vegetable planktons and the standard values mentioned in the provisions for total nitrogen shall apply to lakes where the total nitrogen causes the increase of vegetable planktons in the lakes. 3. The standards for total phosphorus are not applicable to agricultural water uses. Notes: 1. Conservation of natural environment - Conservation of scenic points and other natural resources. 2. Water supply class I - Water treated by simple cleaning operation such as filtration. 3. Water supply class 2 - Water treated by normal cleaning operation such as sedimentation and filtration. 4. Water supply class 3 - Water treated by sophisticated cleaning operation including pretreatment. ("special types" mean water treatments by special cleaning operation in which removal of smelling substances is possible.) 5. Fishery type I - For aquatic lives such as fish of the salmon group and sweet fish, and for those of fishery type 2 and 3. 6. Fishery type 2 - For aquatic lives such as smelt and for those of fishery type 3. 7. Fishery type 3 - For aquatic lives such as carp and silver carp. 8. Conservation of environment - Up to the limits at which no unpleasant ness is caused to the people in their daily lives (including a walk along the shore). 53 (3) Coastal Waters ~ Standard values c-, Chemical Number N-hexane.... Dissolved0 Oxygen of Extractsen pH Oxygen~ Purpose Demand Coliform (oil con U of Utilization (COD) (DO) Groups tent, etc.) A Water supply, 7.8-8.3 2 mg/Q 7.5 mg/Q I,OOOMPN/ Not class I; bathing; or less or more 100mQ detectable conservation of or less natural environ ment; and the uses listed in B-C B Fishery class 2; 7.8-8.3 3 mg/Q 5 mg/Q Not industrial water; or less or more detectable and the uses listed in C C Conservation of 7.0-8.3 8 mg/Q 2 mgiQ environment or less or more Measuring Method (Omitted) Remarks: 1 With regard to the water quality of fishery class I for cultivation of oysters, the the number of coliform groups shall be less than 70MPN/l 00 mQ. 2 (omitted) 3 (omitted) Notes: I. Conservation of natural environment - Conservation of scenic points and other natural resources. 2. Fishery class I - For aquatic lives such as red sea-bream, yellow tail, sea weed and for those of fishery class 2. Fishery class 2 - For aquatic lives such as gray mullet, laver, etc. 3. Conservation of environment - Up to the limits at which no unpleasant ness is caused to the people in their daily lives (including a walk along the shore). 54