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
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK
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
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS (WQS)
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS (WQS)
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
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS (WQS)
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
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK
SET WATER QUALITY
STANDARDS
DETERMINE POLLUTION PROBLEMS
MONITOR WATER
QUALITY
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
WORK WITH COMMUNITY
LEADERS
ESTABLISH RESTORATION
GOALS (TMDLS)
MEASURE SUCCESS &
ADAPT
DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT
RESTORATION PLANS
(BMAPS)
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Impaired
Not impaired
Not enough info
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
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
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
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
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT Divided into WBIDs for assessment.Divided into WBIDs for assessment.
WATER QUALITY 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.
WATER QUALITY 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
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK
SET WATER QUALITY
STANDARDS
TMDL
DETERMINE POLLUTION PROBLEMS
ESTABLISH RESTORATION
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)
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK
DETERMINE POLLUTION PROBLEMS
ESTABLISH RESTORATION
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)
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
Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)
•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
Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)
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
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK
DETERMINE POLLUTION PROBLEMS
WORK WITH COMMUNITY
LEADERS
DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT
RESTORATION PLANS
(BMAPS)
SET WATER QUALITY
STANDARDS
MONITOR WATER
QUALITY
ESTABLISH RESTORATION
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
WATER QUALITY RESTORATION FRAMEWORK
DETERMINE POLLUTION PROBLEMS
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