OAR 340-040-0108
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: General Policies


Groundwater is a critical natural resource providing domestic, industrial and agricultural water supply; base flow for rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands; and other beneficial uses. Therefore, the following policy is established.

(1)

Program Priorities: Groundwater quality shall be protected throughout the state of Oregon. However, the Commission shall concentrate its groundwater quality protection implementation efforts in areas where the practices and activities related to the use of one or more substances of concern have the greatest potential for degrading groundwater quality and where potential groundwater quality pollution would have the greatest adverse impact on beneficial uses.

(2)

Beneficial Uses: Groundwater shall be protected for both existing and future beneficial uses so that the State may continue to utilize the resource for whatever beneficial uses the natural water quality allows. High quality groundwater shall be maintained for present and future uses.

(3)

Scientific Evidence: The Commission shall set a maximum measurable level for a contaminant or substance of concern only when there is sufficient scientific evidence to show that the contaminant or substance of concern may cause adverse effects to public health or the environment.

(4)

Naturally Occurring Contaminants: For contaminants that naturally occur in groundwater in concentrations above the maximum measurable level, the Commission shall consider the natural background level to be the equivalent of the maximum measurable level for that groundwater source.

(5)

Public Health: The Department shall, for the purposes of establishing maximum measurable levels and developing environmental and health advisories, consult with the Oregon Health Division regarding human health concerns.

(6)

Wildlife: A preliminary assessment by EPA indicates that aquatic criteria are not in all cases protective of wildlife (e.g., include mercury, selenium, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT and possibly chlorinated alkanes, benzene, phenols as well as metals in general). However, for contaminants or substances of concern, the Department may rely on the limited information available in EPA’s Water Quality Criteria for protection of aquatic and wildlife species as their foundation for recommendations to the Commission, unless scientifically valid evidence shows this to be inadequate.

(7)

The Commission recognizes, however, that studies of aquatic and wildlife species are extremely limited. This reduces confidence in the Commission’s ability to ensure that maximum measurable levels of contaminants will be protective of those groups in the environment.

(8)

Methods Flow Chart: A flow chart, Appendix 1, graphically describes the methods to be used in establishing maximum measurable levels, which may, as appropriate, be used to interpret these rules.

(9)

Public Support via Education: Public support of the groundwater protection program is essential to its long-term success, and voluntary compliance will likely lead to the least cost program. Therefore, the Commission is encouraged to conduct ongoing public education and demonstration programs designed to inform the public concerning:

(a)

Various contaminants;

(b)

The various elements of the groundwater protection program; and

(c)

How the public can participate in protecting Oregon’s groundwater resource.

(10)

Other Rules and Statutes Unchanged: Nothing stated in these rules is intended to change or be changed by OAR 340-040-0001 (Preface) to 340-040-0080 (Numerical Groundwater Quality Reference Levels and Guidance Levels) (General Groundwater Protection); OAR 340, division 108 (Spills and Other Incidents); OAR 340, division 150 (Underground Storage Tank Rules); OAR 340, division 122 (Environmental Clean-up Rules); or OAR 690, division 10 (Appropriation and Use of Groundwater).

(11)

While economics, detection technology and feasibility are excluded from consideration in establishing an MML, these factors may be considered in determining appropriate remedial responses.
[NOTE: View a PDF of appendices by clicking on “Tables” link below.]
[ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]

Source: Rule 340-040-0108 — Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: General Policies, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=340-040-0108.

340‑040‑0001
Preface
340‑040‑0010
Definitions
340‑040‑0020
General Policies
340‑040‑0030
Permitted Operations
340‑040‑0040
Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study
340‑040‑0050
Selection of the Remedial Action
340‑040‑0060
Non-Permitted Activities
340‑040‑0070
On-Site Sewage Disposal: Area Wide Management
340‑040‑0080
Numerical Groundwater Quality Reference Levels and Guidance Levels
340‑040‑0090
Interim Standards for Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater to be Used in the Designation of a Groundwater Management Area
340‑040‑0100
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: Statement of Purpose
340‑040‑0105
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: Definitions
340‑040‑0108
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: General Policies
340‑040‑0110
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: Substances Regulated Under These Rules
340‑040‑0120
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: Notice of Intent to Propose Contaminants for Adoption of a Maximum Measurable Level
340‑040‑0125
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: Methods to Establish Maximum Measurable Levels
340‑040‑0130
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: Human Health and Environmental Advisories
340‑040‑0135
Method and Criteria for Establishment of Maximum Measurable Levels of Contaminants in Groundwater: Modification to the Maximum Measurable Level
340‑040‑0140
Wellhead Protection: Statement of Purpose
340‑040‑0150
Wellhead Protection: Definitions
340‑040‑0160
Wellhead Protection: General Policies
340‑040‑0170
Wellhead Protection: Required Elements of A Wellhead Protection Plan
340‑040‑0180
Wellhead Protection: Certification Procedure
340‑040‑0190
Wellhead Protection: Update Procedure
340‑040‑0200
Wellhead Protection: Decertification Procedure
340‑040‑0210
Wellhead Protection: Appeal Procedure
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 340-040-0108’s source at or​.us