National Recommended Water Quality Criteria - Organoleptic Effects
EPA's compilation of national recommended water quality criteria is presented as a summary table containing recommended water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life and human health in surface water for approximately 150 pollutants. These criteria are published pursuant to Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and provide guidance for states and tribes to use to establish water quality standards and ultimately provide a basis for controlling discharges or releases of pollutants.
| Pollutant | CAS Number | Organoleptic Effect Criteria (µg/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Acenaphthene | 83329 | 20 |
| Color | — | NP |
| Iron | 7439896 | 300 |
| Monochlorobenzene | 108907 | 20 |
| Tainting Substance | — | NP |
| 3-Chlorophenol | — | 0.1 |
| 4-Chlorophenol | 106489 | 0.1 |
| 2,3-Dichlorophenol | — | 0.04 |
| 2,5-Dichlorophenol | — | 0.5 |
| 2,6-Dichlorophenol | — | 0.2 |
| 3,4-Dichlorophenol | — | 0.3 |
| 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol | 95954 | 1 |
| 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol | 88062 | 2 |
| 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol | — | 1 |
| 2-Methyl-4-Chlorophenol | — | 1800 |
| 3-Methyl-4-Chlorophenol | 59507 | 3000 |
| 3-Methyl-6-Chlorophenol | — | 20 |
| 2-Chlorophenol | 95578 | 0.1 |
| Copper | 7440508 | 1000 |
| 2,4-Dichlorophenol | 120832 | 0.3 |
| 2,4-Dimethylphenol | 105679 | 400 |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | 77474 | 1 |
| Manganese | 7439965 | |
| Nitrobenzene | 98953 | 30 |
| Pentachlorophenol | 87865 | 30 |
| Phenol | 108952 | 300 |
| Zinc | 7440666 | 5000 |
These criteria are based on organoleptic (taste and odor) effects. Because of variations in chemical nomenclature systems, this listing of pollutants does not duplicate the listing in Appendix A of 40 CFR Part 423 (PDF) (9 pp, 222 K, About PDF)