Page 167 - California Stormwater Workshop Handouts

ATTACHMENT C

GLOSSARY

Toxicity

The adverse response(s) of organisms to chemicals or physical agents ranging from
mortality to physiological responses, such as impaired reproduction or growth
anomalies.

Trade Secret

Information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method,
technique, or process, that: (1) derives independent economic value, actual or potential,
from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who can obtain
economic value from its disclosure or use; and (2) is the subject of efforts that are
reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

Turbidity

The cloudiness of water quantified by the degree to which light traveling through a water
column is scattered by the suspended organic and inorganic particles it contains. The
turbidity test is reported in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) or Jackson Turbidity
Units (JTU).

Waters of the United States

Generally refers to surface waters, as defined for the purposes of the federal Clean
Water Act.

Water Quality Objectives

Defined in the California Water Code as limits or levels of water quality constituents or
characteristics which are established for the reasonable protection of beneficial uses of
water or the prevention of nuisance within a specific area.

Water Quality Standards

Consists of beneficial uses, water quality objectives to protect those uses, an
antidegradation policy, and policies for implementation. Water quality standards are
established in Regional Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans) and statewide Water
Quality Control Plans. U.S. EPA has also adopted water quality criteria (the same as
objectives) for California in the National Toxics Rule and California Toxics Rule.

Order 2014-0057-DWQ 8