Freshwater Metals Criteria - CCME & BC Water Quality Guidelines
Last Updated: May 6, 2020
Concentrations in µg/L (ppb)
* Use formula to calculate the values at different hardness and/or pH conditions
** Cu BCWQG are dependent on the specific chemistry of the water body. To calculate WQG at different temperature, hardness, DO and pH values refer to the source here.
*** Hg BCWQG = 0.0001/(MeHg/total Hg)
**** Zn CWQG are dependent on the specific chemistry of the water body. To calculate WQG at different hardness, pH and DOC values, refer to the formula here.
NRG = No recommended guideline.
Sources:
British Columbia Approved Water Quality Guidelines: Aquatic Life, Wildlife & Agriculture - Summary Report
British Columbia Working Water Quality Guidelines: Aquatic Life, Wildlife & Agriculture
Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life - CCME Summary Table
Learn more about the difference between total and dissolved metal concentrations and why it matters.