The Physical, Chemical, Biological or Thermal Characteristics of the Discharge Sample Clauses

The Physical, Chemical, Biological or Thermal Characteristics of the Discharge. A score between 0 and 4 is assigned based on a determination of the risk or threat of the discharged material. “Potential receptors” are those identified considering human, environmental, and ecosystem exposure pathways. In this case, the sanitary sewer overflow was raw sewage, and as such is known to contain highly elevated concentrations of coliform organisms, biochemical oxygen demand, and ammonia. Raw sewage spilled directly to Cold Creek. Discharges of sewage to surface water must typically be treated to a high standard to prevent adverse impacts to aquatic life. Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ. In this case, the discharge consisted of raw sewage, which contains pathogens, nitrogen, ammonia, and biological oxygen demand. Fish are highly sensitive to even small concentrations of ammonia. Elevated levels of these constituents can lead to low dissolved oxygen in the receiving water, impacts to aquatic life, and impacts to human health. Because the discharged material possesses “an above-moderate risk or a direct threat to potential receptors,” a score of 3 was assigned for this factor.

The Physical, Chemical, Biological or Thermal Characteristics of the Discharge. A score between 0 and 4 is assigned based on a determination of the risk or threat of the discharged material. “Potential receptors” are those identified considering human, environmental, and ecosystem exposure pathways. A score of 2 is appropriate where the chemical and/or physical characteristics of the “discharged material poses a moderate risk or threat to potential receptors (i.e., the chemical and/or physical characteristics of the discharged material have some level of toxicity or pose a moderate level of concern regarding receptor protection)”. (Enforcement Policy, at p. 13.) Discharges of sediment can cloud the receiving water (which reduces the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic plants), clog fish gills, smother aquatic habitat and spawning areas, and impede navigation. Stevenson Creek downstream of the dam and the San Joaquin River above Xxxxxxxx Lake were both significantly affected by increased siltation and turbidity resulting in in a moderate risk because of increased turbidity, reduced light, reduced clarity in the stream flow. The discharged material posed a moderate risk or threat to potential receptors, therefore, a score of 2 was assigned for this factor.

The Physical, Chemical, Biological or Thermal Characteristics of the Discharge. A score between 0 and 4 is assigned based on a determination of the risk or threat of the discharged material. “Potential receptors” are those identified considering human, environmental, and ecosystem exposure pathways. In this case, the sanitary sewer overflows were raw sewage, and as such are known to contain highly elevated concentrations of coliform organisms, biochemical oxygen demand, and ammonia, as confirmed by the Discharger’s water samples. Elevated levels of these constituents can lead to low dissolved oxygen in the receiving water, impacts to aquatic life, and impacts to human health. The Discharger also de-watered 1.75 miles of Arcade Creek in an attempt to recover the sewage. This dewatering would have had a detrimental effect on the aquatic life in the creek. Because the discharged material possesses “an above- moderate risk or a direct threat to potential receptors,” a score of 3 was assigned for this factor.