Abstract |
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. Birch Stream has multiple water quality problems; one problem is that the aquatic insect community does not statistically measure up to other streams in Maine. Waters, such as Birch, that do not meet Maines water quality standards are called impaired and placed on the 303d list. These problems correspond to stormwater runoff and the stream violates Maines standards for dissolved oxygen and metals. The Clean Water Act requires that all 303d listed waters to undergo a TMDL assessment that describes the impairments and identifies the measures needed to restore the water. The goal of the Clean Water Act is for all waterbodies to comply with each states water quality standards. |