saltwater environment and Class IV is largely for self-contained agricultur- 

 ally related irrigation and water retention systems. Class V is industrial 

 and navigational classification, and Class VA is for surface waters (of which 

 there is only one in Florida). Class VB is for industrial groundwater for 

 such uses as deepwell injection of industrial wastes. 



The specific parameters for each water classification vary according to 

 use. They tend to become more stringent from the Class V Industrial to the 

 Class I Potable. The Class I, II, and III outline stringent standards to pro- 

 tect human and aquatic life. Florida law requires that each body of water be 

 classified according to its "highest and best use." Very few reclassification 

 requests have been made or adopted since the surface and groundwater standards 

 were established in Florida. Most of these standards are in the document on 

 "Quality Criteria for Water" developed by the Criteria Branch of the Criteria 

 and Standards Division in the Office of Water Planning and Standards (EPA 

 1976). Criteria are given for evaluating domestic water supplies, fresh 

 waters for aquatic life, marine waters for aquatic life, and water for irri- 

 gating crops. 



Groundwater Class V has a separate subcategory on aquifer systems. The 

 threat of polluted aquifer is discussed in more detail later in this report. 



Virtually all standards are based on tests on aquatic and land animal 

 species (including human) response with a factor of safety applied to each 

 standard. For example, the lethal concentration for 50% of the given, most 

 sensitive, aquatic species is termed the LC50. If that number corresponds to 

 2 mg/1 , then a factor (x 0.1) may be applied so that the EPA standard for an 

 aquatic environment would be 0.2 mg/1. 



A report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1976) 

 states that: 



Water quality criteria are derived from scientific facts ob- 

 tained from experimental observations that depict organisms 

 responsible to define stimulus of material under identifiable 

 or regulated environmental conditions for a specified time 

 period. The criteria levels of domestic water supply incor- 

 porated available data for human health protection. In some 

 instances 1/100 of a concentration of the LC50 is employed 

 while others 1/20 or 1/10 of the LC50 level constitute a 

 safety factor. 



These recommendations are based on scientific and professional judgement. 

 These standards protect the life of all Floridians and visitors and maintain 

 the propagation of aquatic and other life forms dependent upon aquatic envi- 

 ronments. These are, therefore, tied to health, welfare, and well-being of 

 all the citizens of the State. 



The following paragraphs give a brief discussion of each classification 

 and its particular level of compliance. Class III freshwater standards domi- 

 nate the majority of interior wetlands including creeks, rivers, lakes, 

 swamps, and other connected aquatic environments. Substantial differences can 

 be expected betweeen water resources within the Class. Ill designation due to 

 difference in climate, geology, habitat, and land use. Since Class III waters 



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