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I In most cases,background water quality--the concentrations of substances in natural waters which are unaffected by waste management practices — are appropriate for use as water quality goals This is consistent with the establishment of "water quality protection standards" for indicator parameters and waste constituents which are reasonably expected to be in or derived from wastes discharged to waste management units, under§2552 of Subchapter 15, which also states. "The background concentrations of applicable indicator parameters and waste constituents at or near the new waste management unit before wastes are discharged shall be established as the water quality protection standards for the unit... For existing waste management units, the background concentration shall be determined from nearby wells beyond the influence of the unit or facility" This Section of Subchapter 15 also cautions that the selection of background concentrations should take into consideration significant seasonal or long term water quality fluctuations and trends that are unrelated to the discharge of waste The non-degradation ideal is also the focal point of the State Water Resources Control Board's Resolution No 68-16 "Statement of Policy With Respect to Maintaining High Quality of Waters in California". This resolution states that existing high water quality is to be protected even if some degradation in that water quality would not impair beneficial LL uses. Deviation from the non-degradation ideal is permitted if it can be demonstrated to the State that. I 1) some degradation is in the best interest of the citizens of California; and 2) beneficial uses of the waters are not impaired �If ifi determined that some water quality degradation is m the best interest of the State, water=quality-goals may=beselected=by-identifying I)-the present and=probable future-- ---— beneficial uses of waters which may be affected by_the.particular=waste disposal and_- f 2}Jnumeri6l concentrations of waste constituents and indicator parameters allowable in the waters so that those uses are protected. The Water Quality Control Plan Reports ("Basin Plans") of the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards or the California Ocean F Plan 8 should be consulted to determine beneficial uses Also cited in these plans are "water quality objectives" for several constituents of concern which, if not exceeded,will protect those uses. These `Basin Plan objectives" and several other numerical criteria and j standards may be used as water quality goals for deriving Designated Levels.Water -- -- - - _�_ ___ quality aritena and standards that are designed to protect a number of beneficial uses such as human health and welfare,aquatic life,agricultural use,and aesthetics may be found in the literature and are summarized below: L, Human Health Primary Drinking Water Standards or Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLS)in Title 22 of CCR, Division 4,Chapter 15, "Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring" 9 which have LDesignated Level Methodology Page 25