virginia’s tmdl process
DESCRIPTION
VIRGINIA’S TMDL PROCESS. Water Quality Standards. Standards are regulations based on federal and state law that set: numeric and narrative limits on pollutants. Purpose of standards: protection of 5 designated uses: aquatic life, fishing, shellfish, swimming, & drinking water - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
VIRGINIA’S TMDL PROCESS
Water Quality Standards
• Standards are regulations based on federal and state law that set:– numeric and narrative limits on pollutants.
• Purpose of standards:– protection of 5 designated uses: aquatic life,
fishing, shellfish, swimming, & drinking water– restoration of state waters - TMDLs
• Listing of impaired waters and TMDL development are based on WQ standards.
Identifying Impaired Waters
305(b) and 303(d) WATER QUALITY
REPORTS
THUMB RUN IMPAIRMENT
• 1998 303(d) List: 7 violations -15 samples
• 2000 Assessment: 6 violations -15 samples
• Preliminary results for 2002 Assessment: 4 violations -16 samples
FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA STANDARD
• Fecal Coliform
• bacteria is an Indicator of human or animal waste - not a pathogen
• But there is a higher probability of pathogens existing in waters that violate the standard
FECAL COLIFORM STANDARD
• 1000 count per 100 milliliters of water
• Applicable for data sets - monthly samples
• Listed as impaired if violation rate is greater than 10%
• TMDL requires 0%
violation rate
• Geometric mean - 200 count per 100 milliliters
• Applicable for data sets with 2 or more samples in 30 days
• TMDLs expressed in terms of geometric mean
1165
455
132
362
36 7 9
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
FE
CA
L
BE
NT
HIC
VD
H
CO
MB
DO
TO
XIC pH
1998 Impairment Causes in MilesTotal Impaired Miles = 2166
RiverMiles
1534
104
528
0
400
800
1200
1600
ALL NPS POINT/CSO UNKNOWN
1998 Impairment Sources Nonpoint Source, Point Source, and
Unknown
ALL NPS
POINT/CSO
UNKNOWN
What is a TMDL ?A Special Study to:
– Identify all sources of pollution contributing to violation of water quality standards.
– Calculate the amount of pollutants entering the stream from each source.
– Calculate the reductions in pollutants, by source, needed
to attain/maintain water quality standards.–(Must include MOS)
8 Required Elements of a TMDL
• 1. Be developed for critical stream conditions;
• 2. Be developed to meet water quality standards;
• 3. Consider seasonal variations;
• 4. Include wasteload and load allocations;
• 5. Include a margin of safety;
• 6. Consider impacts of background contributions;
• 7. Be subjected to public participation.
• 8. Reasonable assurance.
TMDL Public Participation Process
• Public Notices and Public Meetings during TMDL development
• Submit to EPA for approval.
• SWCB adoption of TMDL as regulation.
• Include TMDL in WQMPs
TMDL Implementation• DEQ is required by state legislation to develop
implementation plans
• DCR has lead for NPS TMDL implementation plans
• DEQ, DCR, VDH, and other state agencies will
coordinate IP development with LOCAL
STAKEHOLDERS!
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!!
• We can make nonpoint BMPs Work without regulation!
• Funding available for implementation!
• Local shareholder help make the choices - OR
• “the hard way”
• TMDLs may impact Point Source Permits
FUTURE OF TMDL PROGRAM
• Expect Changes - EPA Regulation Changes
• Resource needs at all levels
-2000 Study for General Assembly & up-coming budget cycle
-Federal Funds
• Anticipate changes in WQS
Standards Technical Issues:
Issues Related to 305/303/TMDL/ Permit Concerns:
Bacterial IndicatorsWildlife Background Bacteria Recreational UsesDissolved OxygenShellfish Prohibitions
Process for Changing Current Water Quality
Standards• Tri-annual Review• The public participation process for
changes in Virginia’s water quality standards has begin.
• DEQ is exploring “reasonable” changes for application of bacteria standard that will not compromise human health.
IMPACTS:• UAA-wildlife issue• Adopted TMDLs may be re-opened!• Revised Stds. may impact
Implementation Plans! - STAGED APPROACH
Control Meas.Mgmt. Strat.
Water Quality Monitoring
Assessments (Point, NPS)
TMDLs
Watershed Plans303(e), etc.
WaterWater QualityQuality StandardsStandards
303(d)Waters
EPA
305 (b) Report (Point, NPS)
Public Participation
Public Participation
Public Participation
EPA
EPA
CONTINUING PLANNING PROCESS