Water Quality Standards for Puerto Rico

The EPA is issuing water quality standards that establish a designated use for swimming, in addition to criteria for bacteria levels, for the following waters in Puerto Rico: Mayaguez Bay, Yabucoa Port, Guayanilla and Tallaboa Bays, Ponce Port, San Juan Port and all coastal waters from 500 meters seaward to a maximum of 3.0 miles seaward (the coastal ring).

Puerto Rico plans to collect and analyze data over the next year to determine whether the swimming use is attainable in these waters. If the Commonwealth demonstrates that the use can not be attained or designates the waters for swimming in accordance with EPA’s regulations, EPA will approve the action and publish a rulemaking withdrawing the federally promulgated standards.

Source: EPA