Restoring Impaired Waters

Streamwork.
TMDL Monitoring.
WDNR Photo

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

Wisconsin applies a variety of tools to identify, restore, and maintain Wisconsin's Waters. Chief among the tools available for Impaired Waters are "Total Maximum Daily Load"(TMDL) Analyses or Plans.

A TMDL is a simply plan to reduce the amount of specific pollutants reaching an impaired lake or stream to the extent that water quality standards will be met. As part of the TMDL, the amount of the (impairing) pollutant that the water can tolerate and still meet water quality standards must be identified and is then "allocated" between point sources (wasteload allocation) and nonpoint sources (load allocation).

TMDL Plans identify implementation procedures. Wasteload allocations will be implemented through the WPDES permits and load allocations (NPS) will be implemented through Wisconsin's nonpoint source program. The CWA requires USEPA final approval of all TMDLs.

For questions and comments about the material contained in this site, contact: Nicole Richmond, Bureau of Watershed Management.

Last Revised: Saturday September 06 2008