Process Framework for Identifying and Prioritizing Water Quality Improvement for Meeting TMDLs in Texas: A Summary
Author(s):
S.L. Hon, M.E. Barrett, J.F. Malina
Publication Date:
August 2003
Abstract:
The Clean Water Act of 1972 was amended in 1987 to include storm water discharges. This act requires states to assess the condition of surface waters to determine whether they support designated uses such as fishing and swimming. When the water quality of a particular water body is not sufficient to support these beneficial uses, the water body is considered to be impaired and is required to be reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Section 303( d) of the Clean Water Act. The document that contains the list of impaired water bodies in the state is referred to as the Section 303( d) list.
EPA requires that a total maximum daily load (TMDL) be developed for each of the listed water bodies for the constituents that are contributing to the impairment. The TMD L is the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can assimilate without impacting the beneficial uses.
After a TMDL is developed, dischargers may be required to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce their contribution of the pollutant. TxDOT is a potential stakeholder in the TMDL process and may be required to implement BMPs to reduce contributions of a particular pollutant to receiving water bodies. The implementation of BMPs may be required for new construction or for highways undergoing rehabilitation or repair within the contributing watershed of the impaired water bodies. Project delays and cost overruns could be the result of these requirements, if the need for BMP implementation is not identified early in the planning process. The objectives of this research are to help TxDOT understand its liability under the TMDL process and to provide the necessary data to respond to regulators and others as TMDLs are developed.
Report Number:
0-4252-S
Electronic Link(s):
Document/Product
http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_4252_S.pdf
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