NORMA DE CALIDAD AMBIENTAL Y DE DESCARGA DE EFLUENTES: RECURSO

AGUA

LIBRO VI ANEXO 1

This technical environmental standard is issued under the Environmental

Management Law and the Regulations to the Environmental Management Law for the
Prevention and Control of Environmental Contamination and is subject to their
provisions, is mandatory and applies throughout the national territory.

This technical standard determines or establishes

(a) The permissible limits, provisions and prohibitions for discharges into bodies of
water or sewage systems;

b) Water quality criteria for different uses; and,

c) Methods and procedures for determining the presence of pollutants in water.

1 OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this standard is the Prevention and Control of Environmental

Contamination in relation to water resources.

The main objective of this standard is to protect the quality of water resources to
safeguard and preserve the integrity of people, ecosystems and their interrelations
and the environment in general.

Actions aimed at preserving, conserving or recovering the quality of water resources

must be carried out under the terms of this standard.

2 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this standard the definitions established in the Regulation to the
Law of Environmental Management for the Prevention and Control of the
Environmental Contamination are considered, and those that are indicated below:

2.1 Coastal water

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 286

It is the water adjacent to the mainland, whose physical properties are directly
influenced by continental conditions.

2.2 Marine water

It is the water of the seas and is distinguished by its high salinity, also known as salt
water. Marine waters correspond to territorial waters to the extent and under the terms
established by international law, inland marine waters and those of permanently
communicating lagoons and estuaries.
2.3 Waste waters

Waters of varied composition originating from discharges of municipal, industrial,

commercial, agricultural, livestock and domestic uses, including subdivisions and, in
general, from any other use, which have suffered degradation in their original quality.

2.4 Rainwater

Water resulting from rainfall, including snow and hail.

2.5 Fresh water

Water with a salinity equal to or less than 0.5 UPS.

2.6 Brackish water

Water with a salinity between 0.5 and 30 UPS.

2.7 Saline water

Water having a salinity equal to or greater than 30 UPS.

2.8 Estuarine waters

Water corresponding to stretches of rivers under tidal influence and limited in extent
to the zone where the chloride concentration is 250 mg/l or higher during low water
flows.

2.9 Groundwater

This is all water in the subsoil, which is in the zone of saturation (it is situated below
the water table where all open spaces are filled with water, with a pressure equal to or
greater than atmospheric pressure).

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 287

2.10 Surface water

All water that flows or is stored on the surface of the land.

2.11 Water for urban public use

The national water for population centers or human settlements, intended for human
use and consumption, after potabilization.

2.12 Bioaccumulation

The process by which a series of toxic substances circulate and accumulate along the
trophic chain, which can reach very high concentrations at a certain level.
2.13 Aquatic bioassay

A test by which the responses of aquatic organisms are used to detect or measure the
presence or effects of one or more substances, elements, compounds, wastes, or
environmental factors alone or in combination.

2.14 Assimilative capacity

The property of a body of water to receive and purify pollutants without altering its
quality patterns, with reference to the uses for which it is intended.

2.15 Characterization of wastewater

The process of obtaining comprehensive knowledge of the statistically reliable

characteristics of wastewater, consisting of sampling, flow measurement and
identification of the physical, chemical, biological and microbiological components.

2.16 Average load

The product of the average concentration and the average flow rate, determined at the
same site.

2.17 Maximum allowable load

The load limit that may be accepted in the discharge to a receiving body or sewage
system.

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 288

2.18 Pollutant load

The quantity of a pollutant contributed in a wastewater discharge, expressed in units of mass

per unit time.

2.19 Groundwater contamination

Any alteration of the physical, chemical, biological properties of groundwater, which may
cause deterioration of the health, safety and welfare of the population, compromise its use
for human consumption, agricultural, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes, and/or
cause damage to flora, fauna or the environment in general.

2.20 Receiving body or body of water

Any river, lake, lagoon, groundwater, watercourse, water reservoir, stream, marine area,
estuary, which is susceptible to receive directly or indirectly the discharge of wastewater.

2.21 Purification
The removal of pollutants from wastewater to reduce its environmental impact.

2.22 Discharge

The action of discharging, infiltrating, depositing or injecting wastewater into a receiving body
or sewage system on a continuous, intermittent or incidental basis.

2.23 Non-point discharge

A discharge in which the exact point of discharge to the receiving body cannot be
determined, as in the case of discharges from runoff, application of agrochemicals or similar.

2.24 Effluent

Liquid from a treatment process, production process or activity.

2.25 FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 289

2.26 Isohaline

An imaginary line joining points of equal salinity at a given geographical location.

2.27 Isotherm

An imaginary line joining points of equal temperature at a given geographic location.

2.28 Baseline

Denotes the state of a system at a particular time, prior to a subsequent change. It is also
defined as the conditions at the time of investigation within an area that may be influenced by
industrial or human activities.

2.29 Baseline

Denotes the prevailing environmental conditions, prior to any disturbance. That is, it means
the conditions that would have prevailed in the absence of anthropogenic activities, with only
natural processes at work.

2.30 Heavy metals

Metals of high atomic number, such as cadmium, copper, chromium, iron, manganese,
mercury, nickel, lead, and zinc, among others, which are toxic at low concentrations and tend
to bioaccumulate.

2.31 Module
A unit assembly that is repeated in the treatment system and serves the purpose of keeping
the treatment system working when maintenance is provided.

2.32 Dissolved oxygen

The free oxygen found in water, vital for aquatic life forms and for odor prevention.

2.33 Pesticide or pesticide

Pesticides are substances used to prevent, destroy, repel, or otherwise exert control over
insects, rodents, plants, undesirable weeds, or other inconvenient life forms. Pesticides are
classified into: Organochlorines,

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 290

Organophosphates, organomercurials, carbamates, pyrethroids, bipyridyls, and warfarin,

without this classification being limiting.

2.34 Water pollution or contamination

The presence in water of pollutants in concentrations and permanence higher or lower than
those established in current legislation, capable of deteriorating water quality.

2.35 Thermal pollution

Discharges of water at a higher or lower temperature than that recorded in the receiving
body at the time of discharge, originating from industrial systems or human activities.

2.36 Well or intake works

Any man-made work, system, process, device or combination, constructed by man for the
primary or incidental purpose of extracting groundwater.

2.37 Artesian well

A well drilled into an aquifer, the water level of which rises above the ground surface.

2.38 Tube well

A small diameter well drilled with specialized equipment.

2.39 River

Natural, perennial or intermittent watercourse, which flows into other streams, natural or
artificial reservoirs, lakes, lagoons or the sea.

2.40 Toxicity

A substance or material is considered toxic when, due to its quantity, concentration or

physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, it has the potential to:
(a) To cause or contribute significantly to increased mortality increased serious diseases of
an irreversible nature or reversible incapacities.
b) To present a risk to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored,
transported or disposed of.
4

cc) Food manufacturing or processing in general.

4.1.1.2 This standard applies to water for human consumption and domestic use that only
requires conventional treatment and must comply with the following criteria (see Table 1):

TABLE 1. Maximum permissible limits for water for human consumption and domestic use,
which only require conventional treatment.

Discharge limits to a freshwater body.

Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
Aceites y Grasas Sustancias mg/l 0,3
solubles en
hexano
Al
Aluminio Amoniaco N-Amoniacal mg/l mg/l 0,2
Amonio Arsénico (total) NH4 mg/l mg/l 1,0
Bario As mg/l mg/l 0,05
Cadmio Cianuro (total) - mg/l mg/l 0,05
Cloruro Ba Cd CN Cl mg/l 1,0
Cobre Cu 0,01
Coliformes Totales nmp/100 ml 0,1
Coliformes Fecales nmp/100 ml 250
Color color real unidade s 1,0
de color 3 000
mg/l mg/l 600
mg/l 100
Compuestos fenólicos Fenol
Cromo hexavalente Cr+6 mg/l
Demanda Bioquímica de DBO5
Oxígeno (5 días) Dureza 0,002
CaCO3 0,05
2,0
Continua...

Continuación...
TABLA 1. Límites máximos permisibles para aguas de consumo humano y uso
doméstico, que únicamente requieren tratamiento convencional.

Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo

Como Unidad Permisible

LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
295
Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
Bifenilo Concentración g/l 0,0005
policlorados/PCBs de PCBs
totales

F Fe Mn
Fluoruro (total) Hierro mg/l mg/l 1,5
(total) Manganeso (total) Hg mg/l 1,0
Materia flotante N-Nitrato 0,1
Mercurio (total) Nitrato N-Nitrito mg/l mg/l Ausencia
Nitrito mg/l 0,001
10,0
1,0
Es permitido olor
Olor y sabor y sabor removible
por tratamiento
convencional

O.D. No menor al
mg/l 80% del oxígeno
de saturación y
no menor a 6mg/l
Oxígeno disuelto 0,05
0,05
6-9
Ag Pb pH Se 0,01
Plata (total) Plomo Na mg/l mg/l 200
(total) 1 000
Potencial de hidrógeno mg/l mg/l
Selenio (total) Sodio mg/l 400
Sólidos disueltos totales = Condición
Sulfatos SO4 mg/l Natural + o – 3
Temperatura C grados
0,5

Tensoactivos Sustancias mg/l

activas al azul 100
de metileno 5,0
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
296
 Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
*Productos para la mg/l 0,1
desinfección

Hidrocarburos
Aromáticos Benceno
Benzo(a) pireno
Etilbenceno Estireno
Tolueno C6H6 g/l g/l g/l 10,0
g/l g/l 0,01
700
Continua... 100

ontinuación...
TABLA 1.

Maximum permissible limits for water for human consumption and domestic use,
which only require conventional treatment.

Parámetro Expresado Límite Máximo

Como Unidad Permisible
Xilenos (totales) g/l mg/l 10 000
mg/l mg/l
Pesticidas y g/l g/l
herbicidas Carbamatos g/l
totales
Concentración 0,1
de
carbamatos
totales
Organoclorados totales Concentración
de 0,01
organoclorado
s totales
Concentración
Organofosforados de
totales organofosfora 0,1
dos totales
Concentración
total de DBCP
Dibromocloropropano Concentración
(DBCP) Dibromoetileno total de DBE 0,2
(DBE) Concentración
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
297
 Parámetro Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
total de
dicloropropan o

Diquat Glifosato g/l g/l g/l 70

Toxafeno 200
Compuestos g/l g/l 5
Halogenados g/l g/l g/l
Tetracloruro de carbono
Dicloroetano (1,2-) g/l g/l g/l
Dicloroetileno (1,1-) g/l g/l g/l 3
Dicloroetileno (1,2-cis) g/l g/l g/l
Dicloroetileno (1,2- g/l g/l 10
trans) 0,3
Diclorometano 70
Tetracloroetileno 100
Tricloroetano (1,1,1-)
Tricloroetileno 50
Clorobenceno 10
Diclorobenceno (1,2-) 200
Diclorobenceno (1,4-) 30
Hexaclorobenceno 100
Bromoximil 200
Diclorometano 5
Tribrometano 0,01
5
50
2
Note:
Products for disinfection: Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane and
Bromoform.

4.1.1.3 Water for human consumption and domestic use, which only require disinfection,
shall comply with the following requirements (see Table 2):

TABLE 2. Maximum permissible limits for water for human consumption and domestic use
requiring only disinfection.
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
298
Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
Aceites y Grasas Sustancias mg/l 0,3
solubles en
hexano
Al
Aluminio total N-amoniacal mg/l mg/l 0,1
Amoniaco Arsénico As Ba Be B Cd mg/l mg/l 1,0
(total) Bario - mg/l mg/l 0,05
CN Co Cu
Berilio mg/l mg/l 1,0
color real
Boro (total) Cadmio mg/l mg/l 0,1
Cianuro (total) Cobalto Unidade 0,75
Cobre s de 0,001
Color color 0,01
-
nmp/100 ml Cl 0,2
Expresado mg/l mg/l 1,0
como fenol 20
Coliformes Totales +6 mg/l mg/l
Cr
Cloruros Expresado
Compuestos fenólicos como fenol mg/l mg/l
+6 50*
Cromo hexavalente Cr mg/l mg/l 250
Compuestos fenólicos DBO5 mg/l mg/l 0,002
mg/l mg/l
Cromo hexavalente CaCO3 0,05
Demanda Bioquímica Sn mg/l mg/l 0,002
de Oxígeno (5 días) F Fe Li Mn mg/l mg/l
Dureza 0,05
Estaño Fluoruros Hierro Hg mg/l 2
(total) Litio Ni
Manganeso (total) N-Nitrato 500
Materia Flotante N-Nitrito 2,0
Mercurio (total) Níquel Menor a 1,4
Nitrato O.D 0,3
Nitrito 2,5
Olor y sabor 0,1
Oxígeno disuelto Ausencia
0,001
0,025
10,0
1,0
Ausencia
No menor al
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
299
 Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
saturación y no
menor a 6 mg/l
Continua...
Continuación...
TABLE 2. Maximum permissible limits for water for human consumption and
domestic use requiring only disinfection.
Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
Plata (total) Ag mg/l 0,05
Plomo (total) Potencial Pb pH mg/l 0,05
de Hidrógeno Selenio 6-9
(total) Sodio Se
Sulfatos Na 0,01
Sólidos disueltos = mg/l mg/l 200
totales Temperatura SO4 mg/l mg/l 250
C Sustancias 500
activas al azul
de metileno Condición
Tensoactivos Natural +/- 3
grados
0,5
V Zn mg/l
Turbiedad Uranio Total
Vanadio
Zinc Hidrocarburos 10
Aromáticos Benceno C H UTN mg/l 0,02
6 6
Benzo-a- pireno mg/l mg/l 0,1
Pesticidas y 5,0
Herbicidas
Organoclorados totales
mg/l mg/l
Concentración
0,01
de
0,00001
organoclorado
Organofosforados y
s totales
carbamatos mg/l
Concentración
de
0,01
organofosfora

mg/l
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
300
 Parámetros Expresado Límite Máximo
Como Unidad Permisible
dos y
carbamatos g/l mg/l
totales.
mg/l mg/l
Toxafeno Compuestos 0,01
Halogenados
Tetracloruro de
carbono Dicloroetano
(1,2-) Tricloroetano 0,003
(1,1,1-)
0,01
Note: 0,3
*When it is observed that more than 40% of coliform bacteria represented by the MPN Index,
belong to the fecal coliform group, conventional treatment shall be applied to water to be
used for human and domestic consumption.

4.1.2 Water quality criteria for the preservation of flora and fauna in cold or warm fresh
waters, and in marine and estuarine waters.

4.1.2.1 Use of water for the preservation of flora and fauna is understood as its use in
activities intended to maintain the natural life of the associated ecosystems, without causing
alterations in them, or for activities that allow the reproduction, survival, growth, extraction,
and exploitation of bio-aquatic species in any of their forms, such as in the cases of fishing
and aquaculture.

4.1.2.2 The quality criteria for the preservation of flora and fauna in fresh, cold or warm
waters, marine and estuarine waters are presented below (see Table 3):

TABLE 3. Permissible Quality Criteria for the preservation of flora and fauna in fresh, cold or
warm waters, marine and estuarine waters.
Límite máximo permisible
Expresados Unida d Agua cálida Agua
Parámetros como Agua fría dulce marina y
dulce de estuario
Clorofenoles mg/l 0,5 0,5 0,5
Bifenilos Concentración mg/l 0,001 0,001 0,001
policlorados/PC total de PCBs.
Bs
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
301
 Límite máximo permisible
Expresados Unida d Agua Agua
Parámetros como Agua fría cálida dulce marina y de
dulce estuario
Oxígeno O.D. mg/l No menor al No menor al No menor al
Disuelto 80% y no 60% y no 60% y no
menor a 6 menor a 5 menor a 5
mg/l mg/l mg/l

6, 5-9 6, 5-9 6, 5-9, 5

Potencial de
hidrógeno pH H2S mg/l 0,0002 0,0002 0,0002
Sulfuro de mg/l
hidrógeno NH3 mg/l
ionizado Al mg/l
Amoniaco As Ba Be B Cd mg/l 0,02 0,02 0,4
Aluminio - mg/l 0,1 0,1 1,5
Arsénico Bario CN Zn Cl Sn mg/l 0,05 0,05 0,05
Berilio Boro Co Pb Cu Cr mg/l 1,0 1,0 1,0
Cadmio Expresado mg/l 0,1 0,1 1,5
Cianuro Libre como fenoles mg/l 0,75 0,75 5,0
Zinc Sustancias mg/l 0,001 0,001 0,005
Cloro residual solubles en mg/l 0,01 0,01 0,01
Estaño Cobalto hexano mg/l 0,18 0,18 0,17
Plomo Cobre Fe mg/l 0,01 0,01 0,01
Cromo total TPH mg/l 2,00
Fenoles mg/l 0,2 0,2 0,2
monohídricos mg/l 0,01
Grasas y aceites 0,02 0,02 0,05
Concentración mg/l 0,05 0,05 0,05
Hierro total de HAPs 0,001 0,001 0,001
Hidrocarburos
Totales de 0,3 0,3 0,3
Petróleo mg/l
Hidrocarburos Mn mg/l
aromáticos
policíclicos 0,3 0,3 0,3
(HAPs) 0,5 0,5 0,5
Manganeso mg/l

0,0003 0,0003 0,0003

LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
302
 Límite máximo permisible
Expresados Unida d Agua Agua
Parámetros como Agua fría cálida dulce marina y de
dulce estuario
Materia flotante visible Ausencia Ausencia Ausencia
Continua...

Continuación...
TABLE 3. Permissible Quality Criteria for the preservation of flora and fauna in fresh,
cold or warm waters, marine and estuarine waters.
Límite máximo permisible
Expresados Unida d Agua Agua
Parámetros como Agua fría cálida dulce marina y de
dulce estuario
Mercurio Níquel Hg Ni mg/l 0,0002 0,0002 0,0001
Plaguicidas Concentración mg/l 0,025 0,025 0,1
organoclorados de g/l 10,0 10,0 10,0
totales organoclorado s
totales g/l mg/l

Concentración
Plaguicidas de
organofosforad organofosfora mg/l
os totales dos totales mg/l 10,0 10,0 10,0
Concentración mg/l
Piretroides de piretroides
totales
Ag Se
Sustancias 0,05 0,05 0,05
Plata Selenio activas al azul
Tensoactivos de metileno
C
0,01 0,01 0,005
0,01 0,01 0,01
Temperatura 0,5 0,5 0,5

nmp/100 ml

Condicione s Condicione s Condicione s

LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
303
4.1.2.3 In addition to the above criteria (see Table 3), the following maximum values
(see Table 4) shall be used for the interpretation of water quality.

TABLE 4. Additional maximum permissible limits for the interpretation of water quality.
interpretation of water quality.
Límite máximo
permisible
Parámetros Unidad Agua Agua
Marina Dulce
Acenaftileno g/l g/l g/l 7 2
Acrilonitrilo Acroleina g/l g/l g/l 26
Antimonio (total) g/l g/l 0,2
Benceno 0,05 16
BHC-ALFA 300
BHC-BETA BHC- 0,01
DELTA 7 0,01
0,01
Continua...

Continuación...

TABLE 4. Additional maximum permissible limits for the interpretation of water

quality.
interpretation of water quality.
Límite máximo
permisible
Parámetros Unidad Agua Agua
Marina Dulce
Clorobenceno g/l g/l g/l 15
Clorofenol (2-) g/l g/l g/l 30 7
Diclorobenceno 2 2,5
Diclorobenceno (1,4-) 4
Dicloroetano (1,2-) 200
Dicloroetilenos 113 12
224

LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
304
 Límite máximo
permisible
Parámetros Unidad Agua Agua
Marina Dulce
Dicloropropanos g/l g/l g/l 31 57
Dicloropropenos Difenil g/l g/l 0,8 2
Hidrazina (1,2) 0,3
Dimetilfenol (2,4-) g/l g/l g/l 2
Dodecacloro + g/l
Nonacloro Etilbenceno 0,001
Fluoruro total g/l g/l g/l
Hexaclorobutadieno g/l g/l g/l 0,4 700
Hexaclorociclopentadi g/l g/l g/l 1 400 4
eno 0,03 0,1
Naftaleno g/l g/l 0,007 0,05
Nitritos Nitrobenceno g/l g/l
Nitrofenoles PCB g/l 2 6
(total) g/l 1 000 60
Pentaclorobenceno 7 27
Pentacloroetano g/l g/l g/l 5 0,2
P-clorometacresol g/l g/l g/l 0,03 0,001
Talio (total) g/l 0,03
Tetraclorobenceno 4
(1,2,3,4-) 3 0,03
Tetraclorobenceno 0,4
(1,2,4,5-)
Tetracloroetano 2 0,1
(1,1,2,2-) 0,15
Tetracloroetileno
Tetraclorofenoles 24
Tetracloruro de
carbono 260
Tolueno 1
Toxafeno Tricloroetano 9 35
(1,1,1) Tricloroetano
(1,1,2) Tricloroetileno 5 300
Uranio (total) Vanadio 0.5 0,000
(total) 50 18
94
50 45
0,005 20
31 100
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
305
4.1.2.4 In addition to the parameters listed within this standard, the following criteria shall be
considered:

Turbidity of estuarine waters shall be considered according to the following limits:

(a) Natural condition (background value) plus 5%, if the natural turbidity varies between 0
and
50 NTU (cephalometric turbidity unit);

b) Natural condition (background value) plus 10%, if the natural turbidity varies between 50
and 100 NTU, and,

c) Natural condition (background value) plus 20%, if the natural turbidity is greater than 100
NTU; and, d) Natural condition (background value) plus 20%, if the natural turbidity is
between 50 and 100 NTU.
100 NTU;

d) Absence of anthropogenic substances that produce changes in color, odor and taste of
the water in the receiving body, so that they do not harm the aquatic flora and fauna and do
not prevent the optimal use of the receiving body.

4.1.3 Groundwater Quality Criteria

The following are quality criteria to be met when using groundwater.

4.1.3.1 All projects involving the implementation of high environmental risk processes, such
as petrochemicals, carbochemicals, chlorochemicals, nuclear power plants, and any other
source of high impact, danger and risk to groundwater when they mainly involve surface or
subway storage, must contain a detailed report on the hydrogeological characteristics of the
area where the project will be implemented, which will allow an assessment of the
vulnerability of the aquifers, as well as a detailed description of the protection measures to
be adopted.

4.1.3.2 Authorization to drill tubular wells (water use) will be granted by the CNRH, prior to
the presentation of the following information by the interested party:

(a) Location of the well in geographic coordinates, and

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 306

b) Intended or current use of the water.

c) Technical data of the monitoring wells for water quality and remediation.
4.1.3.3 Those responsible for tube wells shall be required to provide the CNRH, at the
beginning of groundwater abstraction or at any time, the following information:

a) Copy of the geological profile and technical characteristics of the well. b) Location of the
well in geographic coordinates.
c) Intended and current use of the water, and

d) Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis, carried out in the last six (6) months, of the
water extracted from the well, performed by an accredited laboratory.

4.1.3.4 Those responsible for tubular wells shall be obliged to report to the CNRH, the
temporary or definitive deactivation of the well.

4.1.3.5 Abandoned wells, temporarily or permanently, and all boreholes drilled for other
purposes, shall, after removal of pumps and pipes, be properly plugged with impermeable
and non-polluting material, to avoid groundwater contamination. All wells must be
technically and environmentally abandoned.

4.1.3.6 If there is proven alteration of the water quality of a well, the responsible party must
carry out the necessary works to remediate the contaminated groundwater and the affected
soil.

The admissible quality criteria for groundwater are presented below (see Table 5):

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 307

TABLE 5. Reference quality criteria for groundwater, considering a soil with a clay content
between (0-25.0) % and organic matter content between (0 - 10.0) %.
Between (0 - 10.0 )% and organic matter between (0 - 10.0 )%.
Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite máximo
como permisible
Arsénico (total) As g/l g/l g/l g/l 35
Bario Cadmio Cianuro Ba Cd CN- g/l g/l g/l g/l 338
(total) Cobalto Co Cu Cr Mo g/l g/l g/l g/l 3,2
Cobre Cromo total Hg Ni Pb Zn 753
Molibdeno Mercurio 60
(total) Níquel 45
Plomo g/l g/l g/l g/l 16
Zinc Compuestos C6H6 g/l g/l g/l g/l 153
aromáticos. Benceno. 0,18
Tolueno. Estireno 45
Etilbenceno Xileno 45
1 433
(Suma)
g/l g/l g/l g/l
Fenol
2
Cresol
Hidroquinona 15
Hidrocarburos 500
aromáticos 150
policíclicos. Naftaleno 75
Fenantreno. Antraceno 35
Fluoranteno 1 000
100
400

35
2,5
2,5
0,5
Continued...

1 Sum of the forms: Meta, ortho and paraxylene.

2 Sum of the forms: Meta, ortho and paraacerosol.

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 308

Continued...

TABLE 5. Reference quality criteria for groundwater, considering a soil with clay
content between (0-25.0) % and organic matter between (0 - 10.0) %.
between (0 - 10.0 )%.

Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite máximo

como permisible
 Benzo(a)antraceno g/l g/l g/l g/l 0,25
Criseno g/l g/l 0,026
Benzo(k)fluoranteno 0,026
Benzo(a)pireno 0,026
Benzo(ghi)perileno 0,025
Indenol (1,2,3 cd) 0,025
pireno Hidrocarburos g/l g/l g/l g/l
Clorados. g/l g/l g/l g/l
Diclorometano g/l g/l g/l g/l
Triclorometano g/l
Tetraclorometano g/l g/l g/l 500
1,1-dicloroetano g/l 200
1,2-dicloroetano g/l 5,0
1,1,1- tricloroetano 1 300
1,1,2-tricloroetano 200
Vinilclorado 275
Cis-1,2- dicloeteno 750
Tricloroeteno 0,35
Tetracloroeteno 650
Monoclorobenceno 250
Diclorobenceno (Suma) 20
Triclorobenceno 90
(Suma) 25
Tetraclorobenceno
(Suma) 5
Pentaclorobenceno
Hexaclorobenceno 1,26
Monoclorofenol (Suma)
0,5
0,26
50

LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
309
 Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite máximo
como permisible
Diclorofenol (Suma) g/l g/l g/l g/l 15
Triclorofenol (Suma) g/l g/l 5
Tetraclorofenol 5
Pentaclorofenol 1,5
Cloronaftaleno 3
3 0,01
PCBs (Suma)

Continued...

Continued...

TABLE 5. Reference quality criteria for groundwater, considering a soil with clay
content between (0-25.0) % and organic matter between (0 - 10.0) %.
between (0 - 10.0 )%.

Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite máximo

como permisible
Pesticidas
Organoclorados g/l g/l
DDD, DDE, DDT g/l
4 0,005
(Suma)
5
Drins (Suma) 0,05
HCH-Compuestos g/l g/l g/l 0,5
6
(Suma)
Carbamatos Carbaril g/l
Carbofuran Maneb
Organonitrogenados 0,06
Atrazina 0,06
0,05

3 Sum of Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls: PCB forms 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180.
4 Sum of DDD, DDE and DDT.
5 Sum of Aldrin, Endrin, and Dieldrin.
6 Sum of Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers: alpha, beta, gamma.
BOOK VI ANNEX 1 310

Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite máximo

como permisible
Compuestos
remanentes
Ciclohexanos Ftalatos
7 g/l g/l g/l 7 500
(Suma)
2,75
Hidrocarburos totales
g/l g/l g/l 325
de petróleo
Piridina
1,75
Tetrahidrofurano
0,75
Tetrahidrotiofeno
15
4.1.3.7 The Ministry of the Environment shall issue a specific Sub-Norm as a
complement to the present one, referring to groundwater.

4.1.4 Quality criteria for water for agricultural or irrigation use

Agricultural water is understood to be water used for crop irrigation and other related
or complementary activities established by the competent bodies.

The use of wastewater for irrigation is prohibited, with the exception of treated
wastewater that meets the quality levels established in this standard.

The admissible quality criteria for water intended for agricultural use are presented
below (see Table 6):

Table 6. Admissible quality criteria for water for agricultural use.

Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
Aluminio Al mg/l 5,0
Arsénico (total) As Ba Be mg/l 0,1
Bario mg/l 1,0
Berilio mg/l 0,1
7 Suma de Ftalatos totales.

LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
311
 Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
Boro (total) B mg/l 1,0
Cadmio Cd mg/l 0,01
Carbamatos Concentración mg/l 0,1
totales total de
carbamatos
Cianuro (total) -
CN
Cobalto mg/l 0,2
Co
Cobre Cromo mg/l 0,05
Cu
hexavalente Fluor mg/l 2,0
Hierro
+6
Litio Cr mg/l 0,1
Materia flotante F Fe Li mg/l 1,0
Manganeso visible Mn Mo mg/l 5,0
Molibdeno Hg mg/l 2,5
Mercurio (total) Ni Ausencia
Níquel Concentración mg/l 0,2
Organofosforad de mg/l 0,01
os (totales) organofosfora mg/l 0,001
dos totales. mg/l 0,2
Concentración mg/l 0,1
de
Organoclorados organoclorado
(totales) s totales.
Ag pH
mg/l 0,2
Pb
Plata Potencial Se mg/l
de hidrógeno mg/l
Plomo Selenio mg/l
0,05
6-9

Continua...

Continuación...
TABLA 6. Criterios de calidad admisibles para aguas de uso agrícola
LIBRO VI ANEXO 1
312
 Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
Sólidos mg/l 3 000,0
disueltos totales
Transparencia de mínimo 2,0 m
las aguas
medidas con el
disco secchi.
Vanadio
Aceites y grasa 0,1
V Sustancias mg/l 0,3
solubles en mg/l
hexano

Coniformes nmp/100 ml
Totales Huevos 1 000
de parásitos Zinc
cero

In addition to the above criteria, the Environmental Control Entity shall also use the
following guidelines for the interpretation of water quality for irrigation and shall authorize or
not the use of water with a severe or moderate degree of restriction (see Table 7):
BOOK VI ANNEX 1 313

MAE 1 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD

2002-08

TABLE 7. PARAMETERS OF IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY GUIDELINE LEVELS

PROBLEMA *GRADO DE RESTRICCIÓN.

POTENCIAL UNIDADES Ninguno Ligero Moderado Severo
Salinidad (1):
CE (2) SDT (3) Milimhos/cm 0,7 0,7 3,0 >3,0
mg/l 450 450 2000 >2000
Infiltración (4):
RAS = 0 – 3 y CE RAS = 0,7 0,7 0,2 < 0,2
3 – 6 y CE RAS = 6 – 12 1,2 1,2 0,3 < 0,3
y CE RAS = 12 – 20 y 1,9 1,9 0,5 < 0,5
CE RAS = 20 – 40 y CE 2,9 2,9 1,3 <1,3
5,0 5,0 2,9 <2,9

Toxicidad por ión

específico (5):
- Sodio:
Irrigación superficial RAS
(6) 3,0 3,0 9 > 9,0
Aspersión
- Cloruros meq/l meq/l 3,0 3,0
Irrigación superficial meq/l mg/l
Aspersión 4,0 4,0
- Boro 3,0 3,0 10,0 >10,0
Efectos misceláneos
(7):
- Nitrógeno (N-NO3)
- Bicarbonato (HCO3) mg/l meq/l 5,0 5,0 30,0 >30,0
pH Normal range 6.5 -8.4
*It is a degree of limitation, which indicates the range of feasibility for irrigation water use.
irrigation water use.

(1) Affects water availability for crops.

(2) Electrical conductivity of water: irrigation (1 millimhos/cm = 1000 micromhos/cm).
(3 )Total dissolved solids.
(4) Affects the infiltration rate of water into the soil. (5) Affects crop sensitivity.
(6) SAR, adjusted sodium absorption ratio.
BOOK VI ANNEX 1 314

(7) Affects susceptible crops.

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 315

MAE 1 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD

2002-08

4.1.5 Quality criteria for livestock waters

Water for livestock use is understood as water used for watering animals, as well as other
related and complementary activities established by the competent agencies.

Water for livestock use must meet the following quality criteria (see Table 8):

TABLE 8. Quality criteria for waters for livestock use.

Parámetros Expresado como Unidad Valor máximo

permisible
 Aluminio Al mg/l 5,0
Arsénico (total) Bario As Ba B Cd mg/l mg/l 0,2
Boro (total) Cadmio Concentración de mg/l mg/l 1,0
Carbamatos (totales) carbamatos totales mg/l 5,0
- 0,05
CN
Cianuro (total) Cinc mg/l mg/l 0,1
Zn Cu +6
Cobre Cr mg/l mg/l
Cromo hexavalente Fe Li visible Mn mg/l mg/l 0,2
Hierro Mo Hg N 25,0
Litio N-nitrito Ni O.D. mg/l mg/l 0,5
Materia flotante Concentración de mg/l mg/l 1,0
Manganeso Molibdeno organofosforados mg/l mg/l 1,0
Mercurio (total) totales mg/l mg/l 5,0
Nitratos + nitritos Concentración de Ausencia
Nitritos organoclorados 0,5
Níquel totales. 0,005
Oxígeno disuelto pH mg/l 0,01
Organofosforados 10,0
(totales) 1,0
0,5
Organoclorados 3,0
(totales) 0,1

Potencial de

0,2

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 316

 Parámetros Expresado como Unidad Valor máximo
permisible
hidrógeno
Plata Plomo Selenio Ag Pb Se mg/l mg/l 0,05
Sólidos disueltos mg/l mg/l 0,05
totales 0,01
Transparencia de las 3 000 mínimo 2,0 m
aguas medidas con
el disco secchi. 10,0
Vanadio Coliformes Menor a 1 000
fecales
V mg/l Promedio mensual
Coliformes totales nmp por cada 100 menor a 5 000
ml

nmp por cada 100

ml

4.1.6 Quality criteria for recreational water use

Recreational water use is defined as water use in which there is:

(a) Primary contact, as in swimming and diving, including medicinal bathing, and.
b) Secondary contact, as in nautical sports and fishing.

The quality criteria for waters intended for recreational purposes through primary
contact are presented below (see Table 9):

TABLE 9. Quality criteria for waters intended for recreational purposes.

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 315

MAE 1 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD

2002-08

4.1.5 Quality criteria for livestock waters

Water for livestock use is understood as water used for watering animals, as well as
other related and complementary activities established by the competent agencies.
Water for livestock use must meet the following quality criteria (see Table 8):

TABLE 8. Quality criteria for waters for livestock use.

Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite máximo

como permisible

Coliformes fecales nmp por cada 200

Coliformes totales 100 ml nmp por
Compuestos fenólicos cada 1 000
Oxigeno disuelto 100 ml
Expresado 0,002
como fenol
O.D. mg/l mg/l No menor al 80%
de Concentración

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 317

 Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite máximo
como permisible
de saturación y no
menor a 6 mg/l
Ausencia
Materia flotante visible 6,5 – 8,5
Potencial de hidrógeno pH cero
Metales y otras mg/l mg/l
sustancias tóxicas 0,1 (para cada
Organofosforados y compuesto
carbamatos (totales) Concentración detectado)
de
organofosfora
dos y mg/l
carbamatos
totales. 0,2 (para cada
Concentración compuesto
Organoclorados de detectado)
(totales) organoclorado
s totales. Ausencia
visibles mg/l mg/l 0,5
Sustancias
Residuos de petróleo activas al azul
Tensoactivos de metileno.
Sustancias 0,3
solubles en
hexano
Grasas y aceites
Mínimo 2,0 m.

Los criterios de calidad para aguas destinadas a fines recreativos mediante contacto
secundario se presentan en la tabla 10.

TABLA 10. Criterios de calidad de aguas para fines recreativos mediante

contacto secundario
Sustancias Tóxicas, aquellas establecidas en el Listado de Desechos Peligrosos y
Normas Técnicas aprobadas por la Autoridad
Competente en el Reglamento para la Prevención y Control de la Contaminación para
Desechos Peligrosos.

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 318

 Parámetros Expresado Unidad Valor máximo
como permisible

Coliformes totales nmp/100 ml 4 000

Coliformes fecales nmp/100 ml 1 000
Compuestos fenólicos
Oxigeno disuelto Expresado 0,002
como fenol mg/l mg/l
Potencial de hidrógeno O.D. No menor al 80% de
Metales y otras Concentración de
sustancias tóxicas pH saturación
Organofosforados y Concentración mg/l mg/l 6,5 – 8,5
carbamatos (totales) de Cero
organofosfora
dos y 0,1
carbamatos
totales.
Concentración mg/l
de
Organoclorados organoclorado
(totales) s totales.

Sustancias 0,2
activas al azul
Residuos de petróleo de metileno. mg/l mg/l
Tensoactivos Sustancias
solubles en
hexano Ausencia
visible 0,5
Grasas y aceites

0,3
Sólidos flotantes
Relación hidrógeno,

4.1.7 Quality Criteria for Aesthetic Use Waters

Aesthetic use of water refers to the enhancement and creation of scenic beauty.
Toxic Substances, those established in the List of Hazardous Wastes and Technical
Standards approved by the Competent Authority in the Regulation for the Prevention
and Control of Water Pollution.
Competent Authority in the Regulation for the Prevention and Control of Hazardous
Waste Pollution.

BOOK VI ANNEX1 319

Waters that are used for aesthetic use shall have to comply with the following quality
criteria:

(a) Absence of floating material and foams from human activity.

b) Absence of fats and oils that form a visible film.
c) Absence of substances producing color, odor, taste, and turbidity no greater than
20 NTU.
d) Dissolved oxygen shall be not less than 60% of saturation oxygen and not less than
6 mg/l.

4.1.8 Transport water quality criteria

The use of water for transport is understood as its use for navigation of any type of
vessel or for the mobilization of innocuous materials by direct contact.

The only parameter to be regulated shall be dissolved oxygen, which shall be greater
than 3 mg/l.

4.1.9 Quality criteria for water for industrial use

Industrial use of water is understood as its use in activities such as:

(a) Industrial and/or manufacturing processes of transformation or exploitation, as

well as those related or complementary;
b) Energy generation; and c) Mining.

For industrial use, the different quality requirements corresponding to the respective
processes must be observed, applying the clean technology criterion that will allow
the reduction or elimination of waste (which may be solid, liquid or gaseous).

4.2 General Criteria for Effluent Discharge

4.2.1 General standards for effluent discharge, both to the sewage system and to
water bodies

4.2.1.1 The regulated party shall keep a record of the effluents generated, indicating
the effluent flow rate, discharge frequency, treatment applied to the effluents,
laboratory analysis and disposal of the effluents, identifying the receiving body.
BOOK VI ANNEX1 320

It is mandatory that the reported effluent flow generated be supported with production
data.

4.2.1.2 Tables # 11, 12 and 13 of this standard establish the discharge parameters to
the sewage system and water bodies (fresh and marine), the values of the maximum
permissible limits correspond to daily averages. The Environmental Control Entity
must establish complementary regulations in which the following are established:
The frequency of monitoring, the type of sample (simple or composite), the number of
samples to be taken and the statistical interpretation of the results that allow
determining whether or not the regulated party complies with the permissible limits
set in these regulations for discharges to sewage systems and bodies of water.

4.2.1.3 The use of any type of water for the purpose of diluting untreated liquid
effluents is prohibited.

4.2.1.4 Municipalities, according to their Environmental Quality standards, shall

independently define their standards, through ordinances, considering the quality
criteria established for the use or uses assigned to the water. Subject to the
provisions of the Regulations for Pollution Prevention and Control.

4.2.1.5 Any discharge of liquid waste into public roads, irrigation and drainage canals
or rainwater and groundwater collection systems is prohibited. The Environmental
Control Entity, on a provisional basis until there is a sewage system certified by the
sanitary sewage and treatment service provider and a favorable report from this entity
for that discharge, may allow the discharge of wastewater to rainwater collection
systems, by exception, provided that they comply with the standards for discharge to
bodies of water.

4.2.1.6 Wastewater that does not comply with the discharge parameters established in
this standard prior to discharge must be treated by conventional treatment,
regardless of its origin: public or private. Therefore, treatment systems must be
modular to avoid the complete lack of wastewater treatment in the event that one of
the units is shut down due to failure or maintenance.

4.2.1.7 In the case of pesticides, if the effluent after conventional treatment and prior
discharge to a receiving body or sewage system does not comply with the discharge
parameters established in these regulations (Tables 11, 12 and 13), the effluent must
be treated in accordance with the following standards.
11, 12 and 13), advanced treatment shall be applied.
pH Normal range 6.5 -8.4
*It is a degree of limitation, which indicates the range of feasibility for irrigation water
use.
irrigation water use.

(1) Affects water availability for crops.

(2) Electrical conductivity of water: irrigation (1 millimhos/cm = 1000 micromhos/cm).
(3 )Total dissolved solids.
(4) Affects the infiltration rate of water into the soil. (5) Affects crop sensitivity.
(6) SAR, adjusted sodium absorption ratio.
BOOK VI ANNEX 1 314

(7) Affects susceptible crops.

BOOK VI ANNEX 1 315

MAE 1 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD

2002-08

4.1.5 Quality criteria for livestock waters

Water for livestock use is understood as water used for watering animals, as well as
other related and complementary activities established by the competent agencies.
BOOK VI ANNEX1 321

4.2.1.8 Laboratories that perform analyses to determine the degree of contamination

of effluents or receiving bodies must have implemented good laboratory practices,
follow standardized methods of analysis and be certified by an international
laboratory standard, until the Ecuadorian accreditation body establishes a national
accreditation system that laboratories must comply with.
by an international laboratory standard, until the Ecuadorian accreditation body
establishes the national accreditation system that the laboratories must comply with. .

4.2.1.9 Drainage systems for domestic, industrial and rainwater generated in an

industry must be separated in their respective systems or collectors.

4.2.1.10 It is prohibited to discharge hazardous substances or wastes (liquid-solid-

semi-solid) outside the permitted standards into the receiving body, sewage system
and storm water system.

4.2.1.11 Discharge of untreated liquid waste into the sewage system or into a body of
water from washing and/or maintenance of aerial and land vehicles, as well as from
manual and aerial applicators, containers, packaging and containers that contain or
have contained agrochemicals or other toxic substances is prohibited.

4.2.1.12 Infiltration of treated and untreated industrial effluents into the soil is
prohibited without permission from the Environmental Control Entity.

4.2.1.13 Water from oil and natural gas exploitation may be reinjected in accordance
with the provisions of the laws, regulations and specific standards in force for the
hydrocarbon sector.
4.2.1.14 The regulated party shall have adequate sites for effluent characterization and
gauging and shall provide all the facilities for the technical personnel in charge of
control to carry out their work in the best possible way.

At the outlet of untreated and treated effluent discharges, there shall be appropriate
systems for flow measurement. Rectangular or triangular weirs, Parshall meters or
others approved by the Environmental Control Entity shall be used for flow
measurement in channels or pipes. The effluent conduction and discharge piping or
channel must be connected to an energy dissipation and liquid accumulation tank,
which will be located in a level, undisturbed location before reaching the spillway. The
spillway must be level perpendicular to the bottom of the channel and its
characteristics will depend on the type of spillway and the width of the approach
channel or tank.

BOOK VI ANNEX1 322

4.2.1.15 Leachate generated in sanitary landfills shall comply with the ranges and
limits established in the standards for discharges to a body of water.

4.2.1.16 According to their characterization, all point discharges to the sewage system
and all point or non-point discharges to a receiving body shall comply with the
provisions of this Standard. The Environmental Control Entity shall issue the
technical guide of the minimum discharge parameters to be analyzed or monitored,
that must be complied with by all regulated entities. The issuance of the technical
guide shall be issued within a maximum period of one month after the publication of
this regulation. Until the technical guide is issued, it is the responsibility of the
Environmental Control Entity to determine the discharge parameters to be monitored
by the regulated entity.

4.2.1.17 The discharge of untreated liquid waste from boats, ships, vessels or other
means of maritime, river or lake transportation into sewage systems or receiving
bodies is prohibited. The current provisions of the Maritime Police Code and the
established international conventions will be observed; however, once the waste is
evacuated to land, the Environmental Control Entity may be the Municipality or
Provincial Council, if it has transferred environmental competencies that include the
prevention and control of contamination, otherwise it will continue to be the General
Directorate of the Merchant Marine.

The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine (DIGMER) shall set the discharge
standards for the case contemplated in this article, always in accordance with the
national technical standard in force, and may only be equal or more restrictive with
respect to this Standard. DIGMER shall be the Environmental Control Entity for boats,
ships, vessels, or other means of maritime, river, or lake transportation.

4.2.1.18 Regulated entities that expand or modify their production shall update the
information provided to the Control Entity immediately, and shall be considered as
new regulated entities with respect to the control of discharges and emissions.
control of discharges corresponding to the degree of expansion and must obtain the
corresponding administrative authorizations.

4.2.1.19 The Environmental Control Entity shall establish the parameters to be

regulated for each type of economic activity, specifying the monitoring frequency, the
type of sample (simple or composite), the number of samples to be taken and the
statistical interpretation of the results to determine whether or not the regulated party
complies with the permissible limits established in these regulations for discharges to
sewage systems and bodies of water.

4.2.1.20 When the regulated, even when complying with the discharge standards,
produce concentrations in the receiving body or to the sewage system, that

BOOK VI ANNEX1 323

exceed the quality criteria for the use or uses assigned to the water, the
Environmental Control Entity may require more restrictive values in the discharge,
prior to the technical studies carried out by the Environmental Control Entity,
justifying this decision.

4.2.1.21 Sediments, sludge and solid substances from water purification and waste
treatment systems and others such as construction waste, ashes, ash, bagasse,
bagasse, or any type of domestic or industrial waste must not be disposed of in
surface, subway, marine or estuarine waters, sewage systems and seasonal
watercourses, whether dry or not, and their disposal must comply with the legal
standards for non-hazardous solid waste.

4.2.2 Standards for effluent discharge to the public sewer system

4.2.2.1 It is prohibited to discharge into a public sewage system any substance that
could block sewers or their accessories, form toxic, explosive or foul-smelling vapors
or gases, or that could significantly deteriorate construction materials.
materials in a significant manner. This includes the following substances and
materials,
among others:

(a) Stone fragments, ashes, glass, sand, garbage, fibers, leather fragments, textiles,
etc. (solids should not be discharged even after being crushed).
b) Synthetic resins, plastics, cement, calcium hydroxide.
c) Malt residues, yeast, latex, bitumen, tar and its oil emulsions, liquid residues that
tend to harden.
d) Gasoline, petroleum, vegetable and animal oils, chlorinated hydrocarbons, acids,
and alkalis.
e) Phosgene, cyanide, hydrazoic acid and its salts, carbides that form acetylene,
substances that are proven to be toxic.

4.2.2.2.2 The city's treatment service provider may request the Environmental Control
Entity the necessary authorization for the regulated parties to partially or totally
discharge effluents into the sewage system whose quality is above the standards for
discharge into a sewage system established in this standard.

The city treatment service provider shall comply with the parameters for discharge to
a body of water established in this standard.

BOOK VI ANNEX1 324

4.2.2.3 All discharges to the sewage system shall comply with at least the values set
forth below (see Table 11):

TABLE 11. Limits for discharge to the public sewage system.

Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
Aceites y grasas Sustancias mg/l 100
solubles en
hexano

Alkil mercurio mg/l mg/l No detectable

Cero
Acidos o bases que
puedan causar
contaminación,
sustancias explosivas o mg/l mg/l
inflamables. Aluminio mg/l mg/l
Arsénico total mg/l
Bario Cadmio 5,0
Carbonatos Al As Ba Cd 0,1
CO3 5,0
Continua...

Continuación...
TABLA 11. Límites de descarga al sistema de alcantarillado
público

Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
Caudal máximo l/s 1.5 veces el

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 325

 Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
caudal
promedio
horario del
sistema de
alcantarillado.
1,0
0,5
Cianuro total Cobalto - mg/l mg/l 1,0
CN Co Cu
total Cobre Cloroformo mg/l mg/l 0,1
Extracto carbón
cloroformo
(ECC)
Cl
+6
Cloro Activo Cr mg/l mg/l 0,5
Cromo Hexavalente Expresado mg/l 0,5
Compuestos fenólicos como fenol mg/l mg/l 0,2
D.B.O5. mg/l
Demanda Bioquímica D.Q.O. mg/l mg/l 250
de Oxígeno (5 días) Dicloroetileno mg/l
Demanda Química de P mg/l mg/l 500
Oxígeno Fe mg/l mg/l
Dicloroetileno Fósforo TPH 1,0
Total Hierro total mg/l mg/l 15
Hidrocarburos Totales Mn Visible Hg 25,0
de Petróleo Manganeso Ni ml/l mg/l 20
total Materia flotante N
Mercurio (total) mg/l mg/l 10,0
Níquel Nitrógeno Total Ag Pb pH Ausencia
Kjedahl 0,01
Plata 2,0
Plomo 40
Potencial de hidrógeno
Sólidos Sedimentables 0,5
Sólidos Suspendidos 0,5
Totales Se 5-9
Sólidos totales 20
Selenio 220

1 600
LIBRO VI ANEXO1 326
 Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
Sulfatos = mg/l 400
Sulfuros SO4 mg/l 1,0
Continua...

Continuación...
TABLA 11. Límites de descarga al sistema de alcantarillado
público

Límite
Parámetros Expresado Unidad máximo
como permisible
Temperatura o < 40
C
Tensoactivos mg/l 2,0
Sustancias
activas al azul
de metileno

Tricloroetileno
Tricloroetileno mg/l mg/l 1,0
mg/l mg/l
Tetracloruro de
Tetracloruro de carbono 1,0
carbono Sulfuro
Sulfuro de carbono
de carbono
1,0
Concentración
Compuestos mg/l
de
organoclorados (totales) 0,05
organoclorados
totales.
Organofosforados y
Concentración
carbamatos (totales)
de
organofosforad
0,1
osy
carbamatos
mg/l mg/l
totales.
V Zn
Vanadio
4.2.2.6 The discharge of untreated liquid waste containing traces of agrochemicals or
other toxic substances into the sewage system is prohibited.
4.2.2.6 The discharge of untreated liquid waste containing traces of lubricating oil,
grease, etc., from mechanical workshops, vulcanizing plants, restaurants and hotels
into the sewage system is prohibited.

4.2.2.7 The responsible parties (owner and operator) of all sewage systems should
comply with the discharge standards contained in this standard. If the owner (partial
or total) or operator of the sewage system is a municipality, the municipality may not,
without exception, be the Environmental Control Entity for its facilities. Conflict of
interest shall be avoided.

4.2.3 Standards for effluent discharge to a water body or receptor: Freshwater and
marine water

4.2.3.1 Ports shall have a collection and handling system for solid and liquid waste
from boats, ships, vessels and other means of transport, approved by the Directorate
General of the Merchant Marine and the Environmental Control Entity. Such systems
shall comply with the provisions of this Standard; however, municipalities may
establish more restrictive regulations if there are technical justifications.

4.2.3.2 All types of discharge are prohibited at:

(a) The headwaters of water sources.

b) Upstream of the drinking water catchment of companies or administrative boards,
to the extent to be determined by the CNRH, Provincial Council or Local Municipality,
c) All those bodies of water that the Local Municipality, Ministry of the Environment,
CNRH or Provincial Council declare totally or partially protected.

4.2.3.3 Regulated parties that explore, exploit, refine, transform, process, transport or
store hydrocarbons or hazardous substances that may contaminate water bodies
must have and apply a contingency plan for the prevention and control of spills,
which must be approved and verified by the Environmental Control Entity.

BOOK VI ANNEX1 328

4.2.3.4 Local discharge standards shall be established considering the quality criteria
established for the use or uses assigned to the water. The standards shall always be
in accordance with the national technical standard in force, and may only be the same
or more restrictive, and must have the technical and economic studies that justify it.

In stretches of the water body where multiple uses are assigned, the standards for
discharges shall be established considering the most restrictive values of each of the
parameters established for each one.

4.2.3.5 In the case of industries that capture and discharge into the same receiving
body, the discharge shall be made upstream of the catchment.

4.2.3.6 For the purposes of controlling water pollution by the application of

agrochemicals, the following is established:
a) Manual application of agrochemicals is prohibited within a fifty (50) meter strip, and
aerial application of agrochemicals is prohibited within a one hundred (100) meter
strip, measured in both cases from the banks of any water body,
b) The application of agrochemicals in crops that require artificially flooded areas,
shall require the prior report and authorization of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock.
c) In addition to the provisions contained in this Standard, other legal and regulatory
provisions on the subject must be complied with, as well as the reference lists of the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

4.2.3.7 All discharges to a freshwater body shall comply with the values established
below (see Table 12).

TABLE 12. Discharge limits to a fresh water body

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 329

 Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite
como máximo
permisible
Aceites y Grasas. Sustancias mg/l 0,3
solubles en
hexano

Alkil mercurio mg/l mg/l No detectable

Aldehídos mg/l mg/l 2,0
Aluminio Arsénico Al As Ba B Cd mg/l mg/l 5,0
total Bario - mg/l mg/l 0,1
CN Cl
Boro total Cadmio mg/l mg/l 2,0
Extracto carbón
Cianuro total Cloro 2,0
cloroformo
Activo Cloroformo 0,02
ECC
0,1
-
Cl Cu Co 0,5
Nmp/100 ml mg/l mg/l 0,1
mg/l
Cloruros Cobre Color real
Cobalto
Coliformes
Fecales Color real unidade 1 000
Fenol s de 1,0
color 0,5
+6 mg/l 8
Cr Remoción >
Compuestos
al 99,9 %
fenólicos Cromo D.B.O . D.Q.O. mg/l mg/l
5 * Inapreciable
hexavalente
Dicloroetileno en dilución:
Demanda mg/l
Sn F P 1/20
Bioquímica de
0,2
Oxígeno (5 días)
Demanda Química
0,5
de Oxígeno mg/l mg/l
Dicloroetileno mg/l mg/l
100
Estaño
Fluoruros
Fósforo Total
250

8 Aquellos regulados con descargas de coliformes fecales menores o iguales a 3 000,

quedan exentos de tratamiento.
LIBRO VI ANEXO1 330
 Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite
como máximo
permisible
Hierro total Fe mg/l 10,0
Hidrocarburos TPH mg/l 20,0
Totales de
Petróleo mg/l mg/l
Manganeso total mg/l mg/l
Materia flotante Mn Visibles Hg 2,0
Mercurio total Ni Expresado Ausencia
Níquel como 0,005
Nitratos + Nitritos Nitrógeno (N) 2,0
10,0

Continua...
Continuación...
TABLA 12. Límites de descarga a un cuerpo de agua dulce

Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite

como máximo
permisible
Nitrógeno Total N mg/l 15
Kjedahl
Organoclorados Concentración mg/l 0,05
totales de
organoclorado
s totales
Concentración
Organofosforado s de mg/l 0,1
totales organofosfora
dos totales.
Ag Pb pH

Plata Plomo Se mg/l mg/l 0,1

Potencial de 0,2
hidrógeno Selenio 5-9
Sólidos
Sedimentables mg/l ml/l 0,1
Sólidos 1,0
Suspendidos mg/l
Totales 100
Sólidos totales
LIBRO VI ANEXO1 331
 Parámetros Expresado Unidad Límite
como máximo
permisible
Sulfatos = mg/l 1000
Sulfitos Sulfuros SO4 mg/l mg/l 2,0
Temperatura SO3 0,5
Tensoactivos S o mg/l < 35
C 0,5
Sustancias
activas al azul
Tetracloruro de de metileno mg/l mg/l
carbono Tetracloruro de 1,0
Tricloroetileno carbono
Tricloroetileno mg/l mg/l 1,0

Vanadio
Zinc 5,0
* La apreciación del color se estima sobre 10 cm de muestra diluida.

4.2.3.8 Toda descarga a un cuerpo de agua marina, deberá cumplir, por lo menos con los
siguientes parámetros (ver tabla 13).

TABLA 13. Límites de descarga a un cuerpo de agua marina

Parámetros Expresado Unidad Limite máximo

como permisible
 Aceites y Grasas mg/l 0,3
Arsénico total Alkil As mg/l mg/l 0,5
mercurio Aluminio mg/l mg/l No detectable
Bario Cadmio - mg/l mg/l 5,0
Al Ba Cd CN
Cianuro total mg/l mg/l 5,0
Cu Co
Cobre Cobalto 0,2
0,2
1,0
0,5

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 332

 Parámetros Expresado Unidad Limite máximo
como permisible
Coliformes nmp/100 ml 9
Remoción > al
Fecales
99,9 %
Color real
* Inapreciable en
Color real unidade
dilución:
s de
1/20
color
0,5
Cromo mg/l
hexavalente +6
Cr 0,2
Compuestos mg/l mg/l
fenólicos
Expresado 100
Demanda mg/l
como fenol
Bioquímica de
D.B.O5.
Oxígeno (5 días)
Demanda Química
250
de Oxígeno mg/l mg/l
Fósforo Total mg/l
Fluoruros D.Q.O.
Hidrocarburos
10
Totales de
5,0
Petróleo. Materia
20,0
flotante Mercurio P F TPH mg/l mg/l
total Níquel mg/l
Nitrógeno Total
kjedahl mg/l mg/l
Visibles Ausencia
Plata Plomo
0,01
Potencial de Hg Ni N
2,0
hidrógeno Selenio
Ag Pb pH 40
Sólidos mg/l mg/l
Suspendidos
0,1
Totales Sulfuros Se
0,5
Organoclorados
6-9
totales mg/l mg/l
0,2
S Concentraci 100
ón de
organoclora
dos totales
0,5
9 Aquellos regulados con descargas de coliformes fecales menores o iguales a 3 000
quedan exentos de tratamiento
LIBRO VI ANEXO1 333
 Continua...
Continuación...
TABLA 13. Límites de descarga a un cuerpo de agua marina

Parámetros Expresado Unidad Limite

como máximo
permisible

Organofosforado Concentración mg/l 0,1

s totales de
organofosfora
dos totales
Concentración
Carbamatos de mg/l 0,25
totales carbamatos
totales
o
C
mg/l mg/l
Sustancias
Temperatura < 35
activas al azul
Tensoactivos 0,5
de metileno
* La apreciación del color se estima sobre 10 cm de muestra diluida.

4.2.3.9 Se prohíbe la descarga de efluentes hacia cuerpos de agua severamente

contaminados, es decir aquellos cuerpos de agua que presentan una capacidad de
dilución o capacidad de carga nula o cercana a cero. La Entidad Ambiental de Control
decidirá la aplicación de uno de los siguientes criterios:

a) Se descarga en otro cuerpo de agua

b) Se exigirá tratamiento hasta que la carga contaminante sea menor o igual a 1,5 del
factor de contaminación de la tabla 14 (Factores Indicativos de Contaminación)

4.2.3.10 Ante la inaplicabilidad para un caso específico de algún parámetro establecido en

la presente norma o ante la ausencia de un parámetro relevante para la descarga bajo
estudio, la Entidad Ambiental de Control tomará el siguiente criterio de evaluación. El
regulado deberá establecer la línea de fondo o de referencia del parámetro de interés en el
cuerpo receptor. El regulado determinará la concentración presente o actual del parámetro
bajo estudio en el área afectada por sus descargas. Así, se procede a comparar los
resultados obtenidos para la concentración presente contra los valores de

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 334

fondo o de referencia. Se considera en general que una concentración presente mayor
tres veces que el valor de fondo para el agua es una contaminación que requiere atención
inmediata por parte de la Entidad Ambiental de Control. (ver tabla 14).

Si la concentración presente es menor a tres veces que el valor de fondo, la Entidad

Ambiental de Control dará atención mediata a esta situación y deberá obligar al
regulado a que la concentración presente sea menor o igual a 1,5 que el valor de fondo.

TABLA 14. Factores indicativos de contaminación

Factor de Grado de Denominación

contaminación perturbación.
(Concentración
presente/ valor de
fondo)
< 1,5 0 Cero o perturbación
insignificante
1,5 – 3,0 1 Perturbación
evidente.
3,0 – 10,0 2 Perturbación severa.
Perturbación muy
> 10,0 3 severa.

Los valores de fondo de mayor confiabilidad serán aquellos derivados de muestras a

tomarse en aquéllas partes inmediatas fuera del área bajo estudio, que se considere como
no afectada por contaminación local. En el caso de ausencia total de valores de fondo de
las áreas inmediatas fuera del área bajo estudio, se podrá obtener estos valores de
estudios de áreas regionales o nacionales aplicables.

Para determinar el valor de fondo o de referencia, al menos 5 muestras deben ser

tomadas, si se toman entre 5 a 20 muestras, el valor más alto o el segundo más alto deben
ser seleccionados como valor de fondo. Si se toman más de 20 muestras, se podrán
utilizar los valores medidos que correspondan con el 90vo. o 95vo. Percentil.

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 335

Los valores de fondo empleados no podrán ser menores a los presentados en esta
Norma, de acuerdo a los parámetros de calidad y usos establecidos.

La Entidad Ambiental de Control determinará el método para el muestreo del cuerpo

receptor en el área de afectación de la descarga, esto incluye el tiempo y el espacio para la
realización de la toma de muestras.

4.2.3.11 Los municipios serán las autoridades encargadas de realizar los monitoreos a la
calidad de los cuerpos de agua ubicados en su jurisdicción, llevando los registros
correspondientes, que permitan establecer una línea base y de fondo que permita ajustar
los límites establecidos en esta Norma en la medida requerida.

4.2.3.12 Se prohíbe verter desechos sólidos, tales como: basuras, animales muertos,
mobiliario, entre otros, y líquidos contaminados hacia cualquier cuerpo de agua y cauce de
aguas estacionales secas o no.

4.2.3.13 Se prohíbe el lavado de vehículos en los cuerpos de agua, así como dentro de
una franja de treinta (30) metros medidos desde las orillas de todo cuerpo de agua, de
vehículos de transporte terrestre y aeronaves de fumigación, así como el de aplicadores
manuales y aéreos de agroquímicos y otras sustancias tóxicas y sus envases, recipientes
o empaques.

Se prohíbe la descarga de los efluentes que se generen como resultado de los

procesos indicados en este numeral, cuando no exista tratamiento convencional previo.

5 METODOS DE PRUEBA

Para determinar los valores y concentraciones de los parámetros determinados en esta

Norma Oficial Ecuatoriana, se deberán aplicar los métodos establecidos en el manual
“Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”, en su más reciente
edición. Además deberán considerarse las siguientes Normas del Instituto Ecuatoriano de
Normalización (INEN):

Norma Técnica Ecuatoriana NTE INEN 2169:98. Agua: Calidad del agua, muestreo,
manejo y conservación de muestras.
Norma Técnica Ecuatoriana NTE INEN 2176:98. Agua: Calidad del agua, muestreo,
técnicas de muestreo.

LIBRO VI ANEXO1 336

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LIBRO VI ANEXO1 339