TMDLs, BMAPs, and More · •Master wastewater feasibility analysis •Address septic tanks (e.g., septic to sewer conversion) •Update ordinances to address runoff issues like pet

TMDLs, BMAPs, and MoreDivision of Environmental Assessment & Restoration

WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK

•Water quality standards

• Monitoring and assessment

• Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs)

• Basin management action plans (BMAPs)

Bonus feature:

• Goals for your next campaign

SET WATER QUALITY

STANDARDS



MEASURE SUCCESS &

ADAPT

DETERMINE POLLUTION PROBLEMS

WORK WITH COMMUNITY

LEADERS

DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT

RESTORATION PLANS

(BMAPS)

MONITOR WATER

QUALITY

ESTABLISH RESTORATION

GOALS (TMDLS)

WATER QUALITY STANDARDS (WQS)

WQS ARE...• Numeric or narrative limits for a specific physical or chemical

parameter

WQS CAN BE…• Based on an EPA recommendation or developed by the state

• In either case, state adopts and EPA approves

WQS FEATURE...• Magnitude, duration, and frequency components

WQS APPLY…• To a specific waterbody or segment of a waterbody, or

• Statewide based on waterbody class and type



DESIGNATED USES

• Class I – Potable water supplies (drinking water)

• Class I Treated – Treated potable water supplies

• Class II – Shellfish propagation and harvesting

• Class III – "Swimmable/fishable"Fish Consumption; Recreation; Propagation and Maintenance of a Healthy,

Well-Balanced Population of Fish and Wildlife

• Class III LimitedFish Consumption; Recreation or Limited Recreation;

and/or Propagation and Maintenance of a Limited Population of Fish and Wildlife

• Class IV – Agricultural water supplies

• Class V – Navigation, utility, and industrial use


WQS are found in Rule 62-302, F.A.C.

WQS are subject to periodic, comprehensive review

• Triennial Review

• Public input

• Modifications adopted into rule and approved by EPA

REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT


SET WATER QUALITY

STANDARDS


MONITOR WATER

QUALITY


WORK WITH COMMUNITY

LEADERS


GOALS (TMDLS)

MEASURE SUCCESS &

ADAPT

DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT

RESTORATION PLANS

(BMAPS)


Impaired

Not impaired

Not enough info


DECISION REFLECTED ON “LISTS”

Overall evaluation of state’s water resources (status & trends)

Site-specific determination whether WQS are met (IWR)

TWO BROAD TYPES OF

ASSESSMENTS

Status and trend monitoring network

Strategic monitoring plan (IWR)

MONITORING PLAN

Dozens of data providers, inside

and outside the department

QA and SOP requirements

MONITORING DATA

EPA

APPROVAL OF LISTS


Not Impaired (attains ALL uses)

Meets standards; aka not impaired

Insufficient data to verify

Does not meet standards but a TMDL is not needed

Does not meet standards; impaired by a pollutant; needs TMDL

WQA CATEGORIES

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Category 4

Category 5


WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT Divided into WBIDs for assessment.Divided into WBIDs for assessment.


WATERS NOT ATTAINING STANDARDS

4a – TMDL Complete

4b – Reasonable Assurance

4d – Study List

4e – Ongoing Restoration Activities

5 – Verified List (needs TMDL)

Adopted BMAPs

Pending BMAPs

Divided into WBIDs for assessment.


WATERS NOT ATTAINING STANDARDS

4a – TMDL Complete

4b – Reasonable Assurance

4d – Study List

4e – Ongoing Restoration Activities

5 – Verified List (needs TMDL)

Adopted BMAPs

Pending BMAPs

Divided into WBIDs for assessment.

TMDL


SET WATER QUALITY

STANDARDS

TMDL



GOALS

(TMDLS)

MONITOR WATER

QUALITYMEASURE

SUCCESS & ADAPT

WORK WITH COMMUNITY

LEADERS

DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT

RESTORATION PLANS

(BMAPS)

TMDL

Maximum amount of a pollutant that can be introduced

into a waterbody without causing exceedances of water

quality standards.

TMDL is a Restoration Target

WHAT IS A TMDL?

TMDLTMDL allocations

WLAs = wasteload allocations (point sources)

NPDES wastewater

NPDES stormwater

LAs = load allocations (nonpoint sources)

MOS = margin of safety

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

(Permitted regulated discharges)

TMDL

Significant amounts of technical work needed

• Waterbody specific data collection (water quality)

• Water chemistry and biological response measures

• Regression analyses

• Computer modeling

What sources contribute to the

current loading?

How much load must be reduced

to achieve target?

TMDL DEVELOPMENT

• Public process

• Significant stakeholder involvement

• Drafts are submitted for review/public comment

• State adopts TMDLs; must be approved by EPA

• TMDLs are adopted into rule

• Making changes can be difficult and time consuming

• Future point of entry via "existing rule challenge"

• Exempted from ratification processes

Basin Management Action Plans

(BMAPs)




GOALS (TMDLS)

WORK WITH COMMUNITY

LEADERS

DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT

RESTORATION PLANS

(BMAPS)

MEASURE SUCCESS &

ADAPT

SET WATER QUALITY

STANDARDS

MONITOR WATER

QUALITY

Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)


Florida Watershed Restoration Act (403.067, F.S.)

• All BMAPs (nutrient-related, fecal indicator bacteria)

• Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act

Part VIII of Chapter 373, F.S.

• BMAPs for Outstanding Florida Springs (OFS)

Northern Everglades and

Estuaries Protection Program (373.4595, F.S.)

• BMAPs for St. Lucie, Lake O, and

Caloosahatchee


•TMDLs being addressed

•Area addressed by the restoration plan

•Future growth impacts

•Projects to meet the TMDL

• Implementation timeline

• Commitment to project

• Expected water quality improvement

•Process to assess progress towards

achieving the TMDL

• Monitoring plan

• Project reporting

• Periodic follow-up meetings


FECAL INDICATOR BACTERIA (FIB)

FIB criteria are to ensure swimmers and

other recreational users can enjoy the

resource with low risk of contracting illness

High risk sources of pathogens include:• Sanitary sewer overflows

• Failing septic systems

• Livestock waste

• Illicit discharges and dumping

SOURCE IDENTIFICATION PLAN

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MEASURE SUCCESS &

ADAPT



WORK WITH COMMUNITY

LEADERS

DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT

RESTORATION PLANS

(BMAPS)

SET WATER QUALITY

STANDARDS

MONITOR WATER

QUALITY


GOALS (TMDLS)

REVIEW

So what did we cover?

1. After setting WQS, the state assesses waters (lakes, rivers, springs,

estuaries) against the criteria

2. There is a process for collecting and analyzing the data (so procedures are

set to ensure quality and consistency)

3. Once the data is collected, the state analyzes the data in a systematic (and

rule-based) approach

4. Once analyzed, a waterbody is categorized

5. The lists are important, especially the list of "impairments," those waters

that need TMDLs

6. TMDLs set the restoration targets, achieved through the BMAPs

7. Lots of public process (and EPA approval) throughout

MEASURE SUCCESS &

ADAPT



ESTABLISH RESTORATION GOALS

(TMDLS)

WORK WITH COMMUNITY

LEADERS

DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT

RESTORATION PLANS

(BMAPS)

SET WATER QUALITY

STANDARDS

MONITOR WATER

QUALITY

CLEANER WATER, FASTERAlternatives to the Traditional Approach

Special sub-categories are available• 4b – TMDL alternative (reasonable assurance plan)

• 4e – TMDL deferral (ongoing WQ restoration projects)

Combines many of the steps• Setting criteria and targets

• Identifying projects and management strategies

Streamlines process• One EPA review loop

• No rulemaking process

Stakeholder-led process with public participation

BONUS FEATUREAs promised… VOTE for (Your name here)

I will protect and restore our rivers, streams,

and estuaries by leading the way in water

quality restoration.

Revise and enforce ordinances to prevent personal

pollution.

Reclaim funds collected for sanitary sewer maintenance

and stop sewage spills.

Improve stormwater systems.

Leverage state agencies and money for support.

Create a monitoring and investigations program to protect

human health.

Together we will make it safe for our children and

grandchildren swim, fish, and boat in our back yards!

ROLE OF MUNICIPALITIES

• List projects in statewide report to receive state funding

• Work with FDOH, FDEP, FDBPR, FDACS to address potential sources of bacteria or nutrient runoff

• Keep up with and know the assessment status of waterbodies the municipality’s stormwater run-off discharges into, participate in TMDL processes

• Initiate restoration plans (4e), or participate in existing plans

• Master wastewater feasibility analysis

• Address septic tanks (e.g., septic to sewer conversion)

• Update ordinances to address runoff issues like pet waste, dumpster issues, reuse irrigation overspray, & lawn clippings

• Ensure code enforcement is enforcing water quality protection measures

• Refocus inspections of wastewater and stormwater infrastructure inspections to target watersheds of waters not attaining standards

• Create a source identification program for bacteria impaired waters

• Integrate innovative and green infrastructure principles and designs into public projects with focus on water quality

• Ensure funding collected for wastewater infrastructure upgrades are not funneled to other projects

• Assessment of stormwater fees as appropriate

Anita Nash, Environmental Consultant

Division of Environmental Assessment & Restoration

[email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBGpLqYJze8

Documents

TMDLs, BMAPs, and More · •Master wastewater feasibility analysis •Address septic tanks (e.g., septic to sewer conversion) •Update ordinances to address runoff issues like pet