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The Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) Program deals primarily with non-point
source pollution pollution that doesn’t have a specific point
of discharge. Non-point source
pollution comes from stormwater running off land and into streams
– for example, runoff from agriculture, logging, lawns, roads, parking
lots, and construction sites. A TMDL is the total amount of the
pollutant that can be put into the waterway without making
it exceed the state water quality standard.
The Georgia Environmental
Protection Division (EPD) maintains a list of waterways that don’t
comply with state water quality standards – the 303(d) list.
For each stream on the list, the state must define a TMDL for pollutants
that exceed state water quality standards. Once a TMDL is set, a determination
must be made as to how much of the TMDL can be contributed
by each of the sources of the pollutant – including urban stormwater
runoff, agriculture, and forestry activities. How
will this program affect local governments?
Whenever you
apply for a new water withdrawal or wastewater discharge permit
– or an expansion of an existing permit – you must submit
a watershed protection plan to EPD. TMDL compliance must now be
considered in that plan.
How can
you prepare for TMDLs?
There are six
key steps you can take now…
1.
Learn about the watersheds in your jurisdiction.
Watersheds
are natural drainage areas, defined by ridges of land – like the
edges of a bowl. Watersheds do not follow political boundaries.
2. Check
the quality of any stream monitoring programs in your area.
EPD
uses data from stream monitoring programs as the basis for developing
the 303(d) list. If streams in your area are on the list,
examine EPD’s data, decide whether you agree with it, and take steps
to collect more data if needed. More representative data may indicate
that your streams actually do meet water quality standards.
If streams in your area are on the 303(d) list, EPD is likely to
change your permit conditions, when permits are reissued, to include
stricter controls.
3. Review
your current land use plans and zoning regulations.
You
and your stakeholders need to understand how land uses affect water
quality. Also, make sure that erosion and sedimentation controls
on new development are enforced.
4. Plan
for stormwater management.
Through
careful land use planning and the use of best management practices,
you can minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff on water quality.
Stormwater runoff can be improved through methods like erosion control,
and by establishing and protecting green spaces, park lands, and
stream buffers. These methods can enhance quality of life – without
extensive costs.
5. Educate
and involve the public.
For
effective TMDL compliance, you must educate everyone in your community
about water quality. Because we all contribute to the water pollution
problem, we must all be involved in the solutions.
6. Partner
with other local governments in your watersheds.
It
is critical to work with other communities as you discuss how to
distribute TMDLs among the pollution sources in your waterways. |
©
2002-2005 Hart County Board of Commissioners 
