I need some references that mention the acceptable limits for BOD and COD in natural waters, especially for rivers that are exposed to organic pollution.
According to WHO for drinking water BOD limit is less than < 5.0 mg/l at this limit BOD will not cause any harmful impacts on human body, wastewater sewage must has BOD around 80 ppm and COD 200 ppm for discharge The chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration in a treated effluent, if observed to be persistently greater than 250 mg/l before disposal to any receiving body (public sewer, land for irrigation, inland surface water and marine coastal areas), such industrial units are required to identify chemicals causing the same.
I think this may be decided by the function of a natural water. The strictest requirement is the water where tap (drinking) water intakes. This was already answered by the previous replies.