1. SUBPART A: GENERAL PROVISIONS
        1. Section 303.100  Scope and Applicability
        2. Section 303.101  Multiple Designations
      2. SUBPART B: NONSPECIFIC WATER USE DESIGNATIONS
        1. Section 303.200  Scope and Applicability
        2. Section 303.201  General Use Waters
        3. Section 303.202  Public and Food Processing Water Supplies
        4. Section 303.203  Underground Waters
    1. Section 303.205 Outstanding Resource Waters
      1. a) Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) shall be listed in Section 303.206 of this Part. In addition to all other applicable use designations and water quality standards contained in this Subtitle, an ORW is subject to the antidegradation provision of Section 302.105(b).
      2. SUBPART C: SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATIONS AND SITE SPECIFIC WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
        1. Section 303.300  Scope and Applicability
        2. Section 303.301  Organization
        3. Section 303.311  Ohio River Temperature
        4. Section 303.321  Wabash River Temperature
        5. Section 303.322  Unnamed Tributary of the Vermilion River
        6. Section 303.323  Sugar Creek and Its Unnamed Tributary
        7. Section 303.331  Mississippi River North Temperature
        8. Section 303.341  Mississippi River North Central Temperature
        9. Section 303.351  Mississippi River South Central Temperature
        10. Section 303.352  Unnamed Tributary of Wood River Creek
        11. Section 303.353  Schoenberger Creek; Unnamed Tributary of Cahokia Canal
        12. Section 303.361  Mississippi River South Temperature
        13. Section 303.400  Bankline Disposal Along the Illinois Waterway/River
        14. Section 303.430  Unnamed Tributary to Dutch Creek
        15. Section 303.431  Long Point Slough and Its Unnamed Tributary
        16. Section 303.442  Waters Not Designated for Public Water Supply
        17. Section 303.443  Lake Michigan Basin
        18. Section 303.444  Salt Creek, Higgins Creek, West Branch of the DuPage River, Des Plaines River
      3. SUBPART D: THERMAL DISCHARGES
        1. Section 303.500  Scope and Applicability
        2. Section 303.502  Lake Sangchris Thermal Discharges

TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SUBTITLE C: WATER POLLUTION
CHAPTER I: POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
 
PART 303
WATER USE DESIGNATIONS AND SITE-SPECIFIC WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
 
SUBPART A: GENERAL PROVISIONS
 

Section
303.100 Scope and Applicability
303.101 Multiple Designations
303.102 Rulemaking Required (Repealed)
    
SUBPART B: NONSPECIFIC WATER USE DESIGNATIONS
Section
303.200
Scope and Applicability
303.201
General Use Waters
303.202
Public and Food Processing Water Supplies
303.203
Underground Waters
303.204
Chicago Area Waterway System and Lower Des Plaines River
303.205
Outstanding Resource Waters
303.206
List of Outstanding Resource Waters
303.220
Primary Contact Recreation Waters
303.225
Incidental Contact Recreation Waters
303.227
Non-Contact Recreation Waters and Non-Recreational Waters
303.230
Upper Dresden Island Pool Aquatic Life Use Waters
303.235
Chicago Area Waterway System Aquatic Life Use A Waters
303.240
Chicago Area Waterway System and Brandon Pool Aquatic Life Use B Waters
SUBPART C: SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATIONS AND SITE
SPECIFIC WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Section
303.300 Scope and Applicability
303.301 Organization
  
303.311
Ohio River Temperature
303.312
Waters Receiving Fluorspar Mine Drainage (Repealed)
303.321
Wabash River Temperature
303.322
Unnamed Tributary of the Vermilion River
303.323
Sugar Creek and Its Unnamed Tributary
303.326
Unnamed Tributary of Salt Creek, Salt Creek, and Little Wabash River
303.331
Mississippi River North Temperature
303.341
Mississippi River North Central Temperature
303.351
Mississippi River South Central Temperature
303.352
Unnamed Tributary of Wood River Creek
303.353
Schoenberger Creek; Unnamed Tributary of Cahokia Canal
303.361
Mississippi River South Temperature
303.400
Bankline Disposal Along the Illinois Waterway/River
303.410
Chronic Nickel Water Quality Standard for Segment of the Sangamon River
303.430
Unnamed Tributary to Dutch Creek
303.431
Long Point Slough and Its Unnamed Tributary
303.441
Secondary Contact Waters (Repealed)
303.442
Waters Not Designated for Public Water Supply
303.443
Lake Michigan Basin
303.444
Salt Creek, Higgins Creek, West Branch of the DuPage River, Des Plaines River
303.445
Total Dissolved Solids Water Quality Standard for the Lower Des Plaines River
303.446
Boron Water Quality Standard for Segments of the Sangamon River and the Illinois River
303.447
Unnamed Tributary of the South Branch Edwards River and South Branch Edwards River
303.448 Mud Run Creek
303.449 Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
  
SUBPART D: THERMAL DISCHARGES
Section
303.500 Scope and Applicability
 
303.502
Lake Sangchris Thermal Discharges
303.APPENDIX A
References to Previous Rules
303.APPENDIX B
Sources of Codified Sections
 
 
AUTHORITY: Implementing Section 13 and authorized by Sections 11(b), 27, and 28 of the Environmental Protection Act [415 ILCS 5/11(b), 13, 27, and 28].
SOURCE: Filed with the Secretary of State January 1, 1978; amended at 2 Ill. Reg. 27, p. 221, effective July 5, 1978; amended at 3 Ill. Reg. 20, p. 95, effective May 17, 1979; amended at 5 Ill. Reg. 11592, effective October 19, 1981; codified at 6 Ill. Reg. 7818; amended at 6 Ill. Reg. 11161, effective September 7, 1982; amended at 7 Ill. Reg. 8111, effective June 23, 1983; amended in R87-27 at 12 Ill. Reg. 9917, effective May 27, 1988; amended in R87-2 at 13 Ill. Reg. 15649, effective September 22, 1989; amended in R87-36 at 14 Ill. Reg. 9460, effective May 31, 1990; amended in R86-14 at 14 Ill. Reg. 20724, effective December 18, 1990; amended in R89-14(C) at 16 Ill. Reg. 14684, effective September 10, 1992; amended in R92-17 at 18 Ill. Reg. 2981, effective February 14, 1994; amended in R91-23 at 18 Ill. Reg. 13457, effective August 19, 1994; amended in R93-13 at 19 Ill. Reg. 1310, effective January 30, 1995; amended in R95-14 at 20 Ill. Reg. 3534, effective February 8, 1996; amended in R97-25 at 22 Ill. Reg. 1403, effective December 24, 1997; amended in R01-13 at 26 Ill. Reg. 3517, effective February 22, 2002; amended in R03-11 at 28 Ill. Reg. 3071, effective February 4, 2004; amended in R06-24 at 31 Ill. Reg. 4440, effective February 27, 2007; amended in R09-8 at 33 Ill. Reg. 7903, effective May 29, 2009; amended in R09-11 at 33 Ill. Reg. 12258, effective August 11, 2009; amended in R08-9(A) at 35 Ill. Reg. 15078, effective August 23, 2011; amended in R11-18 at 36 Ill. Reg. 18898, effective December 12, 2012; amended in R08-9(C) at 38 Ill. Reg. 5517, effective February 13, 2014; amended in R08-09(D) at 39 Ill. Reg. 9423, effective July 1, 2015; amended in R14-24 at 42 Ill. Reg.________, effective November 19, 2018.
 



SUBPART A: GENERAL PROVISIONS

 
 



Section 303.100  Scope and Applicability
 

a)  Part 303 contains water use designations which determine for a given body of water which set of Part 302 water quality standards applies. Part 303 also contains short site specific water quality standards. Part 302 contains water quality standards which are either applicable to more than one area or are lengthy.
 
b)  Unless the contrary is clearly indicated, all references to "Parts" or "Sections" are to Ill. Adm. Code, Title 35: Environmental Protection. For example, "Part 309" is 35 Ill. Adm. Code 309, and "Section 309.101" is 35 Ill. Adm. Code 309.101.

 
(Editor's Note: Paragraph (b) was added during the codification process to clarify references to other Parts or Sections of the Illinois Administrative Code.)
 



Section 303.101  Multiple Designations
 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, waters designated for specific uses must meet the most restrictive standards listed in Part 302 for any specified use, in addition to meeting the general standards of Subpart B, Part 302.
 
Section 303.102 Rulemaking Required (Repealed)
 
(Source: Repealed at 35 Ill. Reg. 15078, effective August 23, 2011)
 



SUBPART B: NONSPECIFIC WATER USE DESIGNATIONS

 



Section 303.200  Scope and Applicability
 
Subpart B contains general water use designations. These Sections, together with the specific designations of Subpart C, determine which set of water quality standards of Part 302 applies to a given body of water.
 



Section 303.201  General Use Waters
 
Except as otherwise specifically provided, all waters of the State must meet the general use standards of Subpart B of Part 302.
 



Section 303.202  Public and Food Processing Water Supplies
 
Except as otherwise specifically provided and in addition to the general use standards of Subpart B, Part 302, waters of the State shall meet the public and food processing water supply standards of Subpart C, Part 302, at any point at which water is withdrawn for treatment and distribution as a potable supply or for food processing.
 



Section 303.203  Underground Waters
 
35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.Subparts B and C do not apply to underground waters, except as provided at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 620.450(b).
 
(Source: Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 14684, effective September 10, 1992)
 

   
Section 303.204 Chicago Area Waterway System and Lower Des Plaines River
The Chicago Area Waterway System and Lower Des Plaines River Waters are designated to protect for primary contact recreation, incidental contact or non-contact recreational uses (except where designated as non-recreational waters), commercial activity (including navigation and industrial water supply uses), and the highest quality aquatic life and wildlife attainable, limited only by the physical condition of these waters and hydrologic modifications to these waters. Except for the Chicago River, these waters are required to meet the standards contained in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302, Subpart D, but are not required to meet the general use standards or the public and food processing water supply standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302, Subpart B and C, except that the waters designated as Primary Contact Recreation Waters in Section 303.220 must meet the numeric water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria applicable to protected waters in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.209. Designated recreational uses and aquatic life use for each segment of the Chicago Area Waterway System and Lower Des Plaines River are identified in this Subpart. The Chicago River must meet the general use standards, including the numeric water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria applicable to protected waters in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.209.
(Source: Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 9423, effective July 1, 2015)


  
Section 303.205
Outstanding Resource Waters
An Outstanding Resource Water (ORW) is a surface water body or water body segment that is of exceptional ecological or recreational significance and must be designated by the Board pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 102.Subpart H.


a) Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) shall be listed in Section 303.206 of this Part. In addition to all other applicable use designations and water quality standards contained in this Subtitle, an ORW is subject to the antidegradation provision of Section 302.105(b).
 
      
b) A petition to designate a surface water body or water body segment as an ORW must be submitted to the Illinois Pollution Control Board pursuant to the procedural rules found in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 102.Subpart H.
(Source: Added at 26 Ill. Reg. 3517, effective February 22, 2002)
Section 303.206
List of Outstanding Resource Waters
The Board has not designated any Outstanding Resource Waters pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 102.Subpart H.
(Source: Added at 26 Ill. Reg. 3517, effective February 22, 2002)
 
 
     
Section 303.220 Primary Contact Recreation Waters
The following waters are designated as Primary Contact Recreation Waters and must be protected for Primary Contact Recreation uses as defined in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301.323. These
waters must meet the numeric water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria applicable to
protected waters in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.209.
a) Lower North Shore Channel from North Side Water Reclamation Plant to confluence with North Branch of the Chicago River;
b) North Branch of the Chicago River from its confluence with North Shore Channel to its confluence with South Branch of the Chicago River and Chicago River;
c) Chicago River;
d) South Branch of the Chicago River;
e) Little Calumet River from its confluence with Calumet River and Grand Calumet River to its confluence with Cal-Sag Channel; and
f) Cal-Sag Channel.
    
(Source: Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 5517, effective February 13, 2014)
Section 303.225 Incidental Contact Recreation Waters
The following waters are designated as Incidental Contact Recreation Waters and must protect for incidental contact recreational uses as defined in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301.282.
          
 
 
    
 
 
a) Upper North Shore Channel from Wilmette Pumping Station to North Side Water Reclamation Plant;
b) South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River (Bubbly Creek);
c) Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from its confluence with South Branch of the Chicago River to its confluence with Calumet-Sag Channel;
d) Calumet River from Torrence Avenue to its confluence with Grand Calumet River and Little Calumet River;
e) Lake Calumet;
f) Lake Calumet Connecting Channel;
g) Grand Calumet River;
h) Lower Des Plaines River from the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to the Interstate 55 bridge.
(Source: Added at 35 Ill. Reg. 15078, effective August 23, 2011)
Section 303.227 Non-Contact Recreation Waters and Non-Recreational Waters
a) Non-Contact Recreation. Calumet River from Lake Michigan to Torrence Avenue is designated as a Non-Contact Recreation Water and must protect for non-contact recreational uses as defined in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301.324.
b) The following waters are designated as Non-Recreational waters as defined in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301.324.
1) Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from its confluence with the Calumet-Sag Channel to its confluence with Des Plaines River; and
2) Lower Des Plaines River from its confluence with Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam.
(Source: Added at 35 Ill. Reg. 15078, effective August 23, 2011)
Section 303.230 Upper Dresden Island Pool Aquatic Life Use Waters
Upper Dresden Island Pool Aquatic Life Use Waters
a) Lower Des Plaines River from the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to the Interstate 55 bridge is designated as the Upper Dresden Island Pool Aquatic Life Use. These waters are capable of maintaining, and shall have quality sufficient to protect, aquatic-life populations consisting of individuals of tolerant, intermediately tolerant, and intolerant types that are adaptive to the unique flow conditions necessary to maintain navigational use and upstream flood control functions of the waterway system. Such aquatic life may include, but is not limited to, largemouth bass, bluntnose minnow, channel catfish, orangespotted sunfish, smallmouth bass, shorthead redhorse, and spottail shiner.
b) Upper Dresden Island Pool Aquatic Life Use Waters must meet the water quality standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302. Subpart D.
  
(Source: Added at 38 Ill. Reg. 5517, effective February 13, 2014)
 
  
Section 303.235 Chicago Area Waterway System Aquatic Life Use A Waters 
a) Waters designated as Chicago Area Waterway System Aquatic Life Use A Waters are capable of maintaining, and shall have quality sufficient to protect, aquatic-life populations predominated by individuals of tolerant and intermediately tolerant types that are adaptive to the unique physical conditions, flow patterns, and operational controls necessary to maintain navigational use, flood control, and drainage functions of the waterway system. Such aquatic life may include, but is not limited to, fish species, such as channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, spotfin shiner, orangespotted sunfish, common carp, and goldfish.
b) Waters designated as Chicago Area Waterway System Aquatic Life Use A Waters are not capable of attaining an aquatic life use consistent with the section 101(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act goal (33 USC 1251(a)(2)).
c) The following waters are designated as Chicago Area Waterway System Aquatic Life Use A Waters and must meet the water quality standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302. Subpart D:
 
           
 
  
1)
Upper North Shore Channel from Wilmette Pumping Station to North Side Water Reclamation Plant;
2)
Lower North Shore Channel from North Side Water Reclamation Plant to confluence with North Branch of the Chicago River;
3)
North Branch of the Chicago River from its confluence with North Shore Channel to its confluence with South Branch of the Chicago River and Chicago River;
4)
South Branch of the Chicago River;
5)
Calumet-Sag Channel;
6)
Calumet River from Lake Michigan to its confluence with Grand Calumet River and Little Calumet River;
7)
Little Calumet River from its confluence with Calumet River and Grand Calumet River to its confluence with Calumet-Sag Channel;
8)
Grand Calumet River;
9)
Lake Calumet; and
10)
Lake Calumet Connecting Channel.
(Source: Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 9423, effective July 1, 2015)
Section 303.240 Chicago Area Waterway System and Brandon Pool Aquatic Life Use B Waters  
a)
Waters designated as Chicago Area Waterway System and Brandon Pool Aquatic Life Use B Waters are capable of maintaining, and shall have quality sufficient to protect, aquatic life populations predominated by individuals of tolerant types that are adaptive to unique physical conditions and modifications of long duration, including artificially constructed channels consisting of vertical sheet-pile, concrete and rip-rap walls designed to support commercial navigation, flood control, and drainage functions in deep-draft, steep-walled shipping channels. Such aquatic life may include, but is not limited to, fish species, such as common carp, golden shiner, bluntnose minnow, yellow bullhead and green sunfish.
b)
Waters designated as Chicago Area Waterway System and Brandon Pool Aquatic Life Use B Waters are not capable of attaining an aquatic life use consistent with the section 101(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act goal (33 USC 1251(a)(2)).
c)
The following waters are designated as Chicago Area Waterway System and Brandon Pool Aquatic Life Use B Waters and must meet the water quality standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302. Subpart D:
    
1) Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal; and
2) Lower Des Plaines River from its confluence with Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam (Brandon Pool).
(Source: Added at 39 Ill. Reg. 9423, effective July 1, 2015)



SUBPART C: SPECIFIC USE DESIGNATIONS AND SITE SPECIFIC WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

 



Section 303.300  Scope and Applicability
 
Subpart C contains specific use designations which determine which set of water quality standards of Part 302 applies to a given water. In addition, Subpart C contains water quality standards applicable to specified waters. Nonspecific designations are in Subpart B.
 



Section 303.301  Organization
 
Subpart C is arranged by river basin as follows:
 

River Basin Reserved Section Numbers
   
Ohio Section 303.310-Section 303.319
Wabash Section 303.320-Section 303.329
Mississippi  
North Section 303.330-Section 303.339
North Central Section 303.340-Section 303.349
South Central Section 303.350-Section 303.359
South Section 303.360-Section 303.369
Rock Section 303.370-Section 303.379
Kaskaskia Section 303.380-Section 303.389
Big Muddy Section 303.390-Section 303.399
Illinois Section 303.400-Section 303.409
Sangamon Section 303.410-Section 303.419
Kankakee Section 303.420-Section 303.429
Fox Section 303.430-Section 303.439
Des Plaines/Lake Michigan Section 303.440-Section 303.449

 

 



Section 303.311  Ohio River Temperature
 
Instead of the standards of Section 302.211(e) the water temperature at representative locations in the main river of the Ohio River shall not exceed the maximum limits in the following table during more than 1% of the hours in the 12 month period ending with any month. Moreover, at no time shall the water temperature at such location exceed the maximum limits in the following table by more than 1.7o C (3oF).
 

 
oC
oF
 
oC
oF
           
JAN.
10
50
JUL.
32
89
FEB.
10
50
AUG.
32
89
MAR.
16
60
SEPT.
31
87
APR.
21
70
OCT.
26
78
MAY
27
80
NOV.
21
70
JUN.
31
87
DEC.
14
57

 

Section 303.312 Waters Receiving Fluorspar Mine Drainage (Repealed)
 
(Source: Repealed at 36 Ill. Reg. 18898, effective December 12, 2012)
 



Section 303.321  Wabash River Temperature
 
Instead of the standards of Section 302.211(e), the water temperature at representative locations in the main river of the Wabash River and its interstate tributaries shall not exceed the maximum limits in the following table during more than 1% of the hours in the 12 month period ending with any month. Moreover, at no time shall the water temperature at such locations exceed the maximum limits in the following table by more than 1.7o C (3oF).
 

 
oC
oF
 
oC
oF
           
JAN.
10
50
JUL.
32
90
FEB.
10
50
AUG.
32
90
MAR.
16
60
SEPT.
32
90
APR.
21
70
OCT.
26
78
MAY
27
80
NOV.
21
70
JUN.
32
90
DEC.
14
57

 



Section 303.322  Unnamed Tributary of the Vermilion River
 
The fluoride standard of Sec. 302.208 shall not apply to waters of the State which are located from the point of a discharge from the foundry located at the intersection of Interstate 74 and G Street in Danville, Illinois, owned by General Motors Corporation on January 31, 1995, to an unnamed tributary of the Vermilion River, said point being located 3900 feet south of the Vermilion River, 1900 feet north of I-74, at 40° 6'35" north latitude and 87 ° 69'52" west longitude, to the confluence of said unnamed tributary with the Vermilion River; and from there downstream to a point 0.9 river miles downstream of the juncture at the crossing of a Norfolk and Western Railroad bridge. Fluoride levels in such waters as caused by the discharge from the foundry facility shall meet a water quality standard for fluoride (Storet Number 00950) of 10 mg/1.
 
(Source: Amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 1310, effective January 30, 1995)
 



Section 303.323  Sugar Creek and Its Unnamed Tributary
 

a)  This Section applies only to Sugar Creek and its unnamed tributary from the point at which Marathon Oil Company's outfall 001 discharges into the unnamed tributary to the confluence of Sugar Creek and the Wabash River.
 
b)  Section 304.105 shall not apply to total dissolved solids and chlorides discharged by Marathon Oil Company's outfall 001, so long as both of the following conditions are met:
 
1)  Effluent from Marathon Oil Company's outfall 001 does not exceed either 3,000 mg/L total dissolved solids or 1,000 mg/L chlorides, and
 
2)  The water in the unnamed tributary does not exceed 2,000 mg/L total dissolved solids or 750 mg/L chlorides.

 
(Source: Amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 13457, effective August 19, 1994)
 
 
Section 303.326  Unnamed Tributary of Salt Creek, Salt Creek, and Little Wabash River
 
The fluoride general use water quality standard of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.208(g) does not apply to the waters of the State that are located from the point of discharge of the POTW located at 903 E. Eichie Avenue in Effingham, Illinois, owned by the City of Effingham, to an unnamed tributary of Salt Creek, said point being located in Effingham County, T8N, R6E, Sec. 28, Lat: 39 ° 06’24”, Long: 88 ° 31’55”, to the confluence of said unnamed tributary with Salt Creek; to the confluence of Salt Creek with the Little Wabash River; to the confluence of Buck Creek and the Little Wabash River. Fluoride levels in such waters must meet a water quality standard for fluoride (STORET Number 00951) as set forth in this Section.
 

a)  From the point of discharge of the City of Effingham POTW to the unnamed tributary to the confluence of the unnamed tributary with Salt Creek and from the confluence of the unnamed tributary with Salt Creek to the confluence of Salt Creek with the Little Wabash River, the fluoride water quality standard is 5.0 mg/L.
 
b)  From the confluence of Salt Creek with the Little Wabash River to monitoring station C-19 located on the Little Wabash River approximately 2.8 miles downstream of Louisville, Illinois, the fluoride water quality standard is 3.2 mg/L.

 

c)  From monitoring station C-19 located on a point on the Little Wabash River approximately 2.8 miles downstream of Louisville, Illinois to the confluence of Buck Creek and the Little Wabash River, a point on the Little Wabash River located approximately 9.8 miles downstream of Louisville, Illinois, the fluoride water quality standard is 2.0 mg/L.

 
(Source: Added at 28 Ill. Reg 3071, effective February 4, 2004)
 
 



Section 303.331  Mississippi River North Temperature
 
Instead of the standards of Section 302.211(e) the water temperature at representative locations in the main river of the Mississippi River from the Wisconsin border to the Rock River shall not exceed the maximum limits in the following table during more than 1% of the hours in the 12 month period ending with any month. Moreover, at no time shall the water temperature at such locations exceed the maximum limits in the following table by more than 1.7o C (3o F).
 
 

 
oC
oF
   
oC
oF
             
JAN.
7
45
  JUL.
30
86
FEB.
7
45
  AUG.
30
86
MAR.
14
57
  SEPT.
29
85
APR.
20
68
  OCT.
24
75
MAY
26
78
  NOV.
18
65
JUN.
29
85
  DEC.
11
52

 



Section 303.341  Mississippi River North Central Temperature
 
Instead of the standards of Section 302.211(e), the water temperature at representative locations in the main river of the Mississippi River in the indicated locations shall not exceed the maximum limits in the following tables during more than 1% of the hours in the twelve month period ending with any month. Moreover, at no time shall the water temperature at such locations exceed the maximum limits in the following table by more than 1.7o C (3o F).
 

a)  In the Mississippi River from the Rock River to the Iowa/Missouri border:

 

 
oC
oF
   
oC
oF
             
JAN.
7
45
  JUL.
30
86
FEB.
7
45
  AUG.
30
86
MAR.
14
57
  SEPT.
29
85
APR.
20
68
  OCT.
24
75
MAY
26
78
  NOV.
18
65
JUN.
29
85
  DEC.
11
52

 

b)  In the Mississippi River from the Iowa/Missouri border to the Illinois River:

 

 

 
oC
oF
   
oC
oF
             
JAN.
7
45
  JUL.
31
88
FEB.
7
45
  AUG.
31
88
MAR.
14
57
  SEPT.
29
86
APR.
20
68
  OCT.
24
75
MAY
26
78
  NOV.
18
65
JUN.
30
86
  DEC.
11
52

 



Section 303.351  Mississippi River South Central Temperature
 
Instead of the standards of Section 302.211(e), the water temperature at representative locations in the main river of the Mississippi River in the indicated locations shall not exceed the maximum limits in the following tables during more than 1% of the hours in the twelve month period ending with any month. Moreover, at no time shall the water temperature at such locations exceed the maximum limits in the following table by more than 1.7o C (3o F).

 
a)  In the Mississippi River from the Illinois River to Alton Lock and Dam:

 

 
oC
oF
   
oC
oF
             
JAN.
7
45
  JUL.
31
88
FEB.
7
45
  AUG.
31
88
MAR.
14
57
  SEPT.
29
86
APR.
20
68
  OCT.
24
75
MAY
26
78
  NOV.
18
65
JUN.
30
86
  DEC.
11
52

 

b)  In the Mississippi River from Alton Lock and Dam to the Kaskaskia River:

 

 
oC
oF
   
oC
oF
             
JAN.
10
50
  JUL.
32
89
FEB.
10
50
  AUG.
32
89
MAR.
16
60
  SEPT.
31
87
APR.
21
70
  OCT.
26
78
MAY
27
80
  NOV.
21
70
JUN.
31
87
  DEC.
14
57

 



Section 303.352  Unnamed Tributary of Wood River Creek
 

a)  This section applies to the unnamed tributary of Wood River Creek which enters Wood River Creek 4700 feet above the confluence of Wood River Creek with the Mississippi River from a point 450 feet above the confluence of the unnamed tributary and Wood River Creek to said confluence, and in Wood River Creek from said confluence to the confluence of Wood River Creek and the Mississippi River.
 
b)  Such waters shall meet the following standard instead of the boron standard of Section 302.208:

 
 

CONSTITUENT
STORET NUMBER
CONCENTRATION mg/l
     
Boron
-----
15

 

(Source: Added at 2 Ill. Reg. no. 27, p. 221, effective July 5, 1978.)
 



Section 303.353  Schoenberger Creek; Unnamed Tributary of Cahokia Canal
 

a)  This rule shall apply to:
 
1)  The final 1500 feet of Schoenberger Creek starting immediately south of the Baltimore and Ohio main tracks and running north to an unnamed tributary of the Cahokia Canal; and
 
2)  The unnamed tributary from its confluence with Schoenberger Creek as it runs west and northwest for a distance of 8000 feet to its confluence with the Cahokia Canal.
 
b)  The standard of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.208 for the parameter listed below does not apply to these waters. Instead, the following level shall not be exceeded:

 

Constituent
Storet Number
Concentration (mg/1)
     
Iron (total)
01045
20

 

(Source: Added at 7 Ill. Reg. 8111, effective June 23, 1983)
 



Section 303.361  Mississippi River South Temperature
 
Instead of the standards of Section 302.211(e), the water temperature at representative locations in the main river of the Mississippi River from the Kaskaskia River to the Ohio River shall not exceed the maximum limits in the following table during more than 1% of the hours in the 12 month period ending with any month. Moreover, at no time shall the water temperature at such locations exceed the maximum limits in the following table by more than 1.7o C (3o F).
 

 
oC
oF
   
oC
oF
             
JAN.
10
50
  JUL.
32
89
FEB.
10
50
  AUG.
32
89
MAR.
16
60
  SEPT.
31
87
APR.
21
70
  OCT.
26
78
MAY
27
80
  NOV.
21
70
JUN.
31
87
  DEC.
14
57

 



Section 303.400  Bankline Disposal Along the Illinois Waterway/River
 

a)  The U.S. Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, may bankline dispose of sediment generated during maintenance dredging operations on the Illinois Waterway/River between river miles 80.2 and 291 if:
 
1)  Less than 10% of representative samples from a proposed dredge cut are composed of fine-grained material, where a material is fine-grained if more than 20% of the sample passes a #230 sieve; or
 
2)  The SSTFATE model indicates that applicable water quality standards will be met at the perimeter of a temporary area of allowed dilution having a surface area no larger than 48,000 square feet, and not exceeding either 1,000 feet in length or 150 feet in width; and
 
3)  The U.S. Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, holds a Water Quality Certification for its dredging operations from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §1341 (1988).
 
b)  When the provisions of subsection (a) are met, Section 35 Ill. Adm. Code 304.105 (prohibition against causing a violation of any applicable water quality standard), shall not apply to bankline disposal by the U.S. Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, but only as 35 Ill. Adm. Code 304.105 pertains to the offensive conditions standard of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.203, the dissolved oxygen standard of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.206, the total lead, total zinc, mercury, and total copper standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.208, and the ammonia nitrogen and un-ionized ammonia nitrogen standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.212.

 
(Source: Added at 18 Ill. Reg. 2981, effective February 14, 1994)
 
Section 303.410 Chronic Nickel Water Quality Standard for Segment of the Sangamon River
 
The general use chronic water quality standard for dissolved nickel contained in Section 302.208(e) shall not apply to the segment of the Sangamon River that receives discharges from the Sanitary District of Decatur’s Main Sewage Treatment Plant, from that facility’s Outfall 001 located at 39° 49' 56" North Latitude, 89° 0' 7" West Longitude, to the point of the confluence of the Sangamon River with the South Fork of the Sangamon River near Riverton. Instead, waters in this segment of the Sangamon River must meet a chronic water quality standard for dissolved nickel as follows:
 

Chronic Dissolved Nickel Standard (µg/L) = exp[A+Bln(H)] x 0.997* x WER
 
where:
 
A = -2.286,
 
B = 0.8460,
 
ln(H) = natural logarithm of Hardness, and
 
WER (Water Effect Ratio) = 2.50.
 
* conversion factor multiplier for dissolved metals

 
 (Source: Added at 42 Ill. Reg.________, effective November 19, 2018)
 
 



Section 303.430  Unnamed Tributary to Dutch Creek
 
The general use water quality standard for fluoride contained in Section 302.208 shall not apply to the unnamed tributary of Dutch Creek which receives discharges from the manufacturing facility located on Ringwood Drive in Ringwood in McHenry County from the outfall of that facility for a distance of 1200 yards downstream. Instead this water shall comply with a fluoride standard of 5.6 mg/l not to be exceeded at any time.
 
(Source: Added at 14 Ill. Reg. 9460, effective May 31, 1990)
 



Section 303.431  Long Point Slough and Its Unnamed Tributary
 
The general use water quality standards for total dissolved solids and for chloride contained in Section 302.208 shall not apply to Long Point Slough and its unnamed tributary, which receive discharges from the Illiopolis, Illinois facility of Borden Chemicals and Plastics Operating Limited Partnership, from the outfall of that facility to the point of the confluence of the unnamed tributary downstream with the Sangamon River. Instead this water shall comply with a total dissolved solids standard of 3,000 mg/l and a chloride standard of 900 mg/l.
 
(Source: Added at 14 Ill. Reg. 20724, effective December 18, 1990)
 
Section 303.441 Secondary Contact Waters (Repealed)

 
(Source: Repealed at 35 Ill. Reg. 15078, effective August 23, 2011)

 



Section 303.442  Waters Not Designated for Public Water Supply
 
The following waters are not required to meet the public and food processing water supply standards of Subpart C, Part 302, even where designated as general use waters:

 
a)  The Chicago River
 
b)  The Little Calumet River.

 



Section 303.443  Lake Michigan Basin
 
The waters of the Lake Michigan Basin must meet the Lake Michigan Basin water quality standards of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302 Subpart E. Lake Michigan Basin waters under Illinois jurisdiction consist of the following:
 

a)  The Open waters of Lake Michigan means all of the waters within Lake Michigan in Illinois jurisdiction lakeward from a line drawn across the mouth of tributaries to Lake Michigan, but not including waters enclosed by constructed breakwaters;
 
b)  Lake Michigan harbors and waters within breakwaters, and waters (as defined in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 301.440) within Illinois jurisdiction tributary to Lake Michigan including streams, sloughs and other watercourses not named elsewhere in this Part; and
 
c)  The Chicago River, the North Shore Channel, and the Calumet River are not part of the Lake Michigan Basin.

 
(Source: Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 1403, effective December 24, 1997.)
 



Section 303.444  Salt Creek, Higgins Creek, West Branch of the DuPage River, Des Plaines River

 
The General Use chronic water quality standard for cyanide (STORET number 00718) contained in Section 302.208 does not apply to Salt Creek, Higgins Creek, the West Branch of the DuPage River, and the Des Plaines River in Cook County, Illinois. Instead, for these waters the chronic cyanide standard is 10 μg/L.
 
(Source: Amended at 20 Ill. Reg.3534, effective February 8, 1996.) 
 

 
Section 303.445  Total Dissolved Solids Water Quality Standard for the Lower Des Plaines River
 
a)  Beginning November 1 and continuing through April 30 of each year, the total dissolved solids (TDS) water quality standard for Secondary Contact and Indigenous Aquatic Life Use waters in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.407 does not apply to the portion of the Des Plaines River from the ExxonMobil refinery wastewater treatment plant discharge point located at Interstate 55 and Arsenal Road (said point being located in Will County, T34N, R9E, S15, Latitude: 41º, 25’, 20” North, Longitude: 88º, 11’, 20” West) and continuing to the Interstate 55 bridge. TDS levels in these waters must instead meet a water quality standard for TDS (STORET Number 70300) of 1,686 mg/L.
 
b)  Beginning November 1 and continuing through April 30 of each year, the TDS water quality standard for General Use Waters in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.208 does not apply to the Des Plaines River from the Interstate 55 bridge to the confluence of the Des Plaines River with the Kankakee River. TDS levels in these waters must instead meet a water quality standard for TDS (STORET Number 70300) of 1,686 mg/L.
 
Source: Added at 31 Ill. Reg. 4440, effective February 27, 2007)

 

Section 303.446 Boron Water Quality Standard for Segments of the Sangamon River and the Illinois River
 
The general use water quality standard for boron set forth in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.208(g) shall not apply to segments of the Sangamon River and the Illinois River (described below) that receive discharge from Outfall 007 of the Spring Creek Sewage Treatment Plant located at 3017 North 8th Street, Springfield, Illinois, owned by the Springfield Metro Sanitary District. Boron levels in those river segments must meet the following water quality standards for boron:
 

a)  11.0 mg/L in the Sangamon River from Outfall 007 (Latitude: 39º 51’ 37.234” North, Longitude: 89º 38’ 30.082” West) to 182 yards downstream from the confluence of Spring Creek with the Sangamon River (Latitude: 39º 51’ 42.595” North, Longitude: 89º 38’ 30.089” West);

 

b)  4.5 mg/L in the Sangamon River from 182 yards downstream of the confluence of Spring Creek with the Sangamon River (Latitude: 39º 51’ 42.595” North, Longitude: 89º 38’ 30.089” West) to the confluence of Salt Creek with the Sangamon River (Latitude: 40º 7’ 33.009” North, Longitude: 89º 49’ 40.224” West), a distance of 39.0 river miles;

 

c)  1.6 mg/L in the Sangamon River from the confluence of Salt Creek with the Sangamon River (Latitude: 40º 7’ 33.009” North, Longitude: 89º 49’ 40.224” West) to the confluence of the Sangamon River with the Illinois River (Latitude: 40º 1’ 20.995” North, Longitude: 90º 25’ 59.451” West), a distance of 36.1 river miles; and

 

d)  1.3 mg/L in the Illinois River from the confluence of the Illinois River with the Sangamon River (Latitude: 40º 1’ 20.995” North, Longitude: 90º 25’ 59.451” West) to 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Illinois River with the Sangamon River (Latitude: 40º 1’ 20.197” North, Longitude: 90º 26’ 3.205” West).

 

 (Source: Added at 33 Ill. Reg. 7903, effective May 29, 2009.)
 

Section 303.447 Unnamed Tributary of the South Branch Edwards River and South Branch Edwards River

 
The general use water quality standard for boron at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.208(g) does not apply to the waters of the State that are located from the point of discharge of the publicly owned treatment works located at 523 NE 9th Street in Galva, known as the Galva Northeast Sewage Treatment Plant, to an unnamed tributary of the South Branch of the Edwards River (the discharge point being located in Henry County, Township 14 North, Range 4 East, occupying portions of Sections 21, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, and 35 in the Fourth Principal Meridian, Latitude N 41.175°, Longitude: W 90.035°) to the confluence of unnamed tributary with the South Branch Edwards River; to the confluence with the Edwards River. Boron levels in these waters must meet a water quality standard for boron of 3.0 mg/L.
 
(Source: Added at 33 Ill. Reg.12258, effective August 11, 2009)
 
Section 303.448 Mud Run Creek
 
The general use water quality standard for boron set forth at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.208(g) does not apply to the waters of the State that are located from the point of discharge of the publicly owned treatment works located at ½ mile South of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and SW 4th Street in Galva, known as the Galva Southwest Sewage Treatment Plant, to Mud Run Creek (the point is located in Henry County, Township 14 North, Range 4 East, occupying portions of Sections 21, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34 and 35 of the Fourth Principal Meridian, Latitude: N 41.154°, Longitude W. 90.053°) to the confluence of Mud Run Creek with Walnut Creek. Boron levels in these waters must meet a water quality standard for boron of 3.0 mg/L.
 
(Source: Added at 33 Ill. Reg.12258, effective August 11, 2009)
 
Section 303.449 Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
 
The numeric water quality standards for chloride and Total Dissolved Solids set forth at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 302.407(g) do not apply to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal during the period of December 1 through April 30. Chloride levels in these waters must meet the numeric water quality standards for the protection of aquatic organisms of 620 mg/L as a chronic water quality standard and 990 mg/L as an acute water quality standard for chloride during the period of December 1 through April 30.
 
(Source: Added at 39 Ill. Reg. 9423, effective July 1, 2015)
 
 



SUBPART D: THERMAL DISCHARGES

 



Section 303.500  Scope and Applicability
 
Subpart D contains site specific water quality based thermal discharge standards. These are now determined without rulemaking pursuant to Section 302.211 and Part 106 of Subtitle A.
 
(Note: Prior to codification, Part VI of Ch 1: Procedural Rules.)
 



Section 303.502  Lake Sangchris Thermal Discharges
 
The thermal discharge to Lake Sangchris shall meet the following standards and conditions: The effluent temperature shall not exceed 37o C (99o F) during more than seven (7) percent of the hours in the 12 month period ending with any month and shall at no time exceed 44o C (111o F).
 

APPENDIX A
REFERENCES TO PREVIOUS RULES

   
Chapter 3: Water Pollution 35 Ill. Admin. Code
Part III, Water Quality Standards Part 303
   
Unnumbered Preamble Section 303.100, 303.101, 303.201
Rule 301 Section 303.201
Rule 302 Preamble Section 302.402
Rule 302 Main Body Section 303.441
Rule 302 Appendix Section 303.102
Rule 303 Section 303.301, 303.202
Rule 303(a) Section 303.442
Rule 303(b) Section 303.442

 

APPENDIX B
SOURCES OF CODIFIED SECTIONS

   
35 Ill. Admin. Code Chapter 3: Water Pollution
Part 303 Part II, Water Quality Standards
  Part III, Water Use Designations
Section  
303.100 General, Preamble to Part III
303.101 Preamble to Part III
303.102 Rule 302 Appendix
303.200 General, Preamble to Part III
303.201 Preamble to Part III, Rule 203
303.202 Rule 204 and Rule 303
303.203 Rule 207
303.204 Rule 302, Preamble
303.300 General
303.301 General
303.311 Rule 203(i)(4)
302.312 Rule 203.1(a)
303.321 Rule 203(i)(4)
303.331 Rule 203(i)(4)
303.341 Rule 203(i)(4)
303.351 Rule 203(i)(4)
303.352 Rule 203.1(b)
303.361 Rule 203(i)(4)
303.441 Rule 302, Main Body
303.442 Rule 303(a), Rule 303(b)
303.443 Rule 206
303.500 General, Rule 203(i)(10)(ee)
303.502 Rule 203(i)(11)(bb)

 

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