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Chapter 20: Problem 14

Describe the Total Maximum Daily Load program. How does it address nonpoint- source pollution, and what role do water quality criteria play in the program?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program is a plan that identifies the maximum amount of a pollutant a body of water can receive without violating water quality standards. It addresses nonpoint-source pollution by identifying the sources and allocating pollutant loads. Water quality criteria are essential in the TMDL program as they guide the pollutant restriction measures to ensure protection and healthy propagation of wildlife in the water bodies.

Step by step solution

01

Explaining Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

TMDL is a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act, describing a plan for restoring polluted bodies of water. The program calculates the maximum pollution a water body can receive in a day without violating water quality standards. Then it establishes pollutant reduction goals necessary to ensure a water body meets these standards.
02

Role of TMDL in Nonpoint-Source Pollution

Nonpoint-source pollution refers to diffused contamination that does not originate from any single location but from many different sources carrying pollutants directly into water bodies through rainfall runoff. TMDL addresses this by assigning a specific share of pollutant reductions to these nonpoint sources. It identifies both point and nonpoint sources of pollution and allocates pollutant loads accordingly.
03

Water Quality Criteria in TMDL Program

Water quality criteria plays a vital role in the TMDL program as they serve as the regulatory basis for the determination of TMDL. This criteria specify the minimum conditions that must be met in order to facilitate the protection and propagation of wildlife, recreational activities etc. They guide the pollutant restriction measures in the TMDL program to ensure the long-term health of water bodies.

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