Impairment

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-013895",
  "term": "Impairment",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Detrimental effect on the biological integrity of a waterbody caused by an impact that prevents attainment of the designated use.\n\n2. A detrimental effect on the biological integrity of a waterbody that prevents attainment of the designated use.\n\n3. Impairment (pollutant) is an industrial, municipal, or agricultural waste discharged into water. From the Clean Water Act: Impairment means dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into water. This term does not mean (A) ‘‘sewage from vessels or a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel of the Armed Forces’’ within the meaning of section 312 of this Act; or (B) water, gas, or other material which is injected into a well to facilitate production of oil or gas, or water derived in association with oil or gas production and disposed of in a well, if the well used either to facilitate production or for disposal purpose is approved by authority of the State in which the well is located, and if such State determines that such injection or disposal will not result in the degradation of ground or surface water resources. See CWA Section 502(6).\n\n4. A detrimental effect on the biological integrity of a waterbody caused by an impact that prevents attainment of the designated use.",
  "subject": "Water",
  "references": [
    "Aquatic Biodiversity Glossary; Biocriteria Glossary",
    "CADDIS Glossary",
    "How's My Waterway Glossary",
    "Glossary of Wetland Bioassessment Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/impairment/"
}