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Water Quality Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Organic Carbon in British Columbia Preface The BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks [BC Environment] (now called Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection) develops province-wide ambient water quality criteria for substances and physical attributes of importance in both fresh and marine surface waters. These threshold values provide a basis for developing site-specific ambient objectives, set wastewater discharge limits and fees, and help identify areas with degraded conditions. The criteria are not legally binding but are intended as tools to provide policy direction to those making decisions affecting water quality issues (BC Environment 1995). Anthropogenic activities such as forest management, road building, construction, dredging, gravel pit operations, and industrial waste management can cause marked changes in the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the watercourses located nearby and those located downstream. Changes in organic carbon levels can be used as an indicator of environmental impact arising from these anthropogenic activities. BC Environment has identified the need for the development of ambient water quality criteria for organic carbon in freshwater conditions. The guidelines will function as management tools, against which to assess whether a water use is adequately protected.
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