Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a number that represents the assimilative capacity of a receiving water to absorb a pollutant. The TMDL is the sum of the individual wasteload allocations for point sources, load allocations for nonpoint sources plus an allotment for natural background loading, and a margin of safety. TMDLs can be expressed in terms of mass per time (the traditional approach) or in other ways such as toxicity or a percentage reduction or other appropriate measure relating to a state water quality objective. A TMDL is implemented by reallocating the total allowable pollution among the different pollutant sources (through the permitting process or other regulatory means) to ensure that the water quality objectives are achieved


Contacts

Regional Programs Section
LB Nye
LB.Nye@waterboards.ca.gov
(213) 576-6622
Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisor)