Final California 2010 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The recommended secondary drinking water standard for sulfate is 250 mg/l (RWQCB, 2007).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Water samples were collected at Sweetwater River Stations 909SSWR08.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected in January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17875	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

Pollutant:	Enterococcus
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Other Urban Runoff \| Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.3 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. All 15 of the samples exceed the water quality objective for enterococcus. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. All 15 samples exceed the enterococcus water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17875, Enterococcus	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30900

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

All fifteen samples collected exceed the water quality objective for Enterococcus and thirteen of fifteen samples collected exceed the water quality objective for Fecal Coliform according to results in the San Diego County Municipal Copermittees Annual Progress Report, 2007. Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan, the most stringent of the US EPA bacteriological criteria for enterococcus sets a maximum limit at 61 colonies per 100mL (RWQCB, 2007).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at the mass loading station located near the lower boundary of the watershed in Bonita, just north of Bonita Road and adjacent to the Plaza Bonita Road Bridge

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during wet weather.

QAPP Information:

QA/QC conducted according to Federal Regulations under requirements of a NPDES permit

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17876	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

Pollutant:	Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Other Urban Runoff \| Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.3 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One lines of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirteen of the 15 samples exceed the water quality objective for fecal coliform. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Thirteen of 15 samples exceed the fecal coliform water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17876, Fecal Coliform	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30901

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Thirteen of fifteen samples collected exceed the water quality objective according to results in the San Diego County Municipal Copermittees Annual Progress Report, 2007. Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan, no more than 10% of the samples during any 30-day period for waters designated for contact recreation shall exceed 400 per 100 ml.
From the Basin Plan, no more than 10% of the samples for waters designated for contact recreation shall exceed 400 per 100 ml (RWQCB, 2007)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at the mass loading station located near the lower boundary of the watershed in Bonita, just north of Bonita Road and adjacent to the Plaza Bonita Road Bridge

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during wet weather.

QAPP Information:

QA/QC conducted according to Federal Regulations under requirements of a NPDES permit

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17868	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

Pollutant:	Phosphorus
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Other Urban Runoff \| Point Source \| Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. All 15 of the samples exceed the water quality objective for phosphorus. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. All 15 samples exceed the phosphorus water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17868, Phosphorus	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30889

Pollutant:

Phosphorus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

All fifteen samples collected exceed the water quality objective according to results in the San Diego County Municipal Copermittees Annual Progress Report, 2007.
Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water bodies shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growth to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (RWQCB, 2007)

Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin Goal of 0.1 mg/L for total phosphorus in streams and other flowing waters. (RWQCB, 2007)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at the mass loading station located near the lower boundary of the watershed in Bonita, just north of Bonita Road and adjacent to the Plaza Bonita Road Bridge

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during wet weather.

QAPP Information:

QA/QC conducted according to Federal Regulations under requirements of a NPDES permit

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17871	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

Pollutant:	Selenium
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Other Urban Runoff \| Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four of the 15 samples exceed the water quality objective for selenium. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Fourof 15 samples exceed the selenium water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17871, Selenium	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30892

Pollutant:

Selenium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Four of the four samples collected at Sweetwater River exceed the water quality objective of 5 µg/L for dissolved selenium according to results in California Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Report, 2007. Samples for Sweetwater River were collected in May 2005, September 2005, January 2006, and April 2006.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Standards; Establishment of Numeric Criteria for Priority Toxic Pollutants for the State of California; Rule. 40 CFR Part 131. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Water Division, San Francisco, CA

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

CTR Freshwater Chronic (CCC) 5 ug/L. (U.S. EPA, 2000).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Water samples were collected at Sweetwater River stations 909SSWR08.

Temporal Representation:

Samples for Sweetwater River were collected in May 2005, September 2005, January 2006, and April 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17871, Selenium	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30915

Pollutant:

Selenium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of 15 samples collected at Sweetwater River exceed the water quality objective of 5 µg/L for dissolved selenium. Samples for Sweetwater River were collected in from February 2002 to February 2006.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

CTR Freshwater Chronic (CCC) 5 ug/L. (U.S. EPA, 2000).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Weston Solutions, 2004. Quality Management Manual. March 2004 (Revised December 2009).

Spatial Representation:

Water samples were collected at Sweetwater River just North of Bonita Rd

Temporal Representation:

Samples for Sweetwater River were collected February 2002 to February 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality assurance procedures in compliance with Weston Solutions Quality Assurance Manual.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17867	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

Pollutant:	Total Dissolved Solids
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Other Urban Runoff \| Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Eleven of 15 samples exceed the water quality objective for total dissolved solids. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Eleven of 15 samples exceed the total dissolved solids and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17867, Total Dissolved Solids	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30888

Pollutant:

Total Dissolved Solids

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Eleven of 15 samples collected exceed the water quality objective. Since a maximum of four samples were collected at most in a one year period, any exceedance results in an annual exceedance frequency greater than 10% according to the San Diego County Municipal Copermittees Annual Progress Report, 2007. Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan, concentrations of total dissolved solids cannot exceed 1500 mg/L. This concentration is not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time during any one year period (RWQCB, 2007).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at the mass loading station located near the lower boundary of the watershed in Bonita, just north of Bonita Road and adjacent to the Plaza Bonita Road Bridge

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during wet weather.

QAPP Information:

QA/QC conducted according to Federal Regulations under requirements of a NPDES permit

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17872	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

Pollutant:	Total Nitrogen as N
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Other Urban Runoff \| Point Source \| Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirteen of the 15 samples exceed the water quality objective for total nitrogen. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Thirteen of 15 samples exceed the total nitrogen water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17872, Total Nitrogen as N	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30894

Pollutant:

Total Nitrogen as N

LOE Subgroup:

Health Advisories

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water bodies shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growth to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (RWQCB, 2007)

A desired goal in order to prevent plant nuisance in streams and other flowing waters appears to be 0.1 mg/L total phosphorus, P. These values are not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time unless studies of the specific water body in question clearly show that water quality objective changes are permissible and changes are approved by the Regional Board. Analogous threshold values have not been set for nitrogen compounds; however, natural ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus are to be determined by surveillance and monitoring and upheld. If data are lacking, a ratio of N:P = 10:1, on a weight to weight basis shall be used. (RWQCB, 2007)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at the mass loading station located near the lower boundary of the watershed in Bonita, just north of Bonita Road and adjacent to the Plaza Bonita Road Bridge.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected two to four times a year from 2002-2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during wet weather.

QAPP Information:

QA/QC conducted according to Federal Regulations under requirements of a NPDES permit

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17874	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

Pollutant:	Toxicity
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Other Urban Runoff \| Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.6 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Twelve of 19 samples exceed the water quality objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Twelve of 19 samples exceed the toxicity water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17874, Toxicity	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30899

Pollutant:

Toxicity

LOE Subgroup:

Toxicity

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Toxicity was observed in the following data from the Storm Water Ambient Monitoring Program

Selenastrum capricornutum-
All three samples showed significant toxicity levels.

Hyalella azteca - One of one samples were toxic for Hyalella growth in sediment.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (RWQCB, 2007).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

According to SWAMP, waters are considered toxic when samples show significant toxicity levels (SWAMP code SL) when compared to a negative control. Significant toxicity is determined when statistical tests result in an alpha of less than 5% and percent control values less than the evaluation threshold.

Guideline Reference:

2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the monitoring station Sweetwater River 8 located on the main stem of the Sweetwater River.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were taken between May 2005, September 2005, and January 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17874, Toxicity	Region 9
Sweetwater River, Lower (below Sweetwater Reservoir)

LOE ID:

30897

Pollutant:

Toxicity

LOE Subgroup:

Toxicity

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Toxicity was observed in the following tests.
Selenastrum capricornutum-
Seven of fifteen samples collected were found to be toxic.

Ceriodaphnia dubia survival and reproduction: Five of 15 tests were found to be toxic.

Hyalella azteca; No samples were toxic.

Data was collected by San Diego County for their urban runoff monitoring program.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (RWQCB, 2007).

Objective/Criterion Reference: