Short-term Guideline Values for Chlorine in Freshwaters.

The current Australian and New Zealand default guideline value (DGV) of 3 µg Cl/L for total residual chlorine (TRC) in freshwaters is largely based on acute data converted to chronic data using a default acute to chronic ratio (ACR) of 10, without consideration of chlorine decomposition. Given the rapid decomposition of chlorine, initially as hypochlorite and then as chloramine, it is appropriate to consider a guideline value based on short-term (acute) toxicity rather than one based on longer-term chronic data, as has been recommended for chlorine in marine waters. The literature on the fate of chlorine in drinking water discharged to freshwaters and on the ecotoxicity of TRC has been reviewed, and on the basis of this, revised DGVs were derived for both hypochlorite and chloramine in freshwater using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) of toxicity data. The values for 95% species protection were 7 and 9 µg Cl/L as TRC, respectively. The former would apply to any TRC-containing effluent, but in the case of drinking water where dechlorination has been undertaken, the chloramine-based DGV is likely to be more appropriate. Both are likely to be conservative since they were largely based on toxicity testing under continuous flow-through conditions. They will apply at the edge of the mixing zone and the variable receiving water concentration at this point might best be determined from a time-weighted average TRC concentration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.