A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act, describing a value of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards. Alternatively, TMDL is an allocation of that water pollutant deemed acceptable to the subject receiving waters. TMDLs have been used extensively by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies in implementing the Clean Water Act by establishing maximum pollution limits for industrial wastewater dischargers. Trout Brook has multiple water quality problems (stormwater runoff, low dissolved oxygen, high metals concentrations and damaged aquatic life) that violate Maines water quality standards and is considered impaired under the Clean Water Act. Streams, such as Trout, that do not meet minimum standards, are placed on a list (303d) that legally requires the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a TMDL assessment. The TMDL describes the impairments, pollutant sources and identifies the measures needed to restore the water. The goal of the Clean Water Act, and the TMDL, is for all waterbodies to comply with the states water quality standards.