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Brian Benham & Gene Yagow Biological Systems Engineering ALS4614

Improving Water Quality through the TMDL Process. Brian Benham & Gene Yagow Biological Systems Engineering ALS4614 Watershed Assessment, Management, and Policy January 30, 2014. Objectives . Background Watersheds and watershed management What is a TMDL? Review the VA TMDL process

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Brian Benham & Gene Yagow Biological Systems Engineering ALS4614

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  1. Improving Water Quality through the TMDL Process Brian Benham & Gene Yagow Biological Systems Engineering ALS4614 Watershed Assessment, Management, and Policy January 30, 2014

  2. Objectives • Background • Watersheds and watershed management • What is a TMDL? • Review the VA TMDL process • Discuss the development of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL

  3. What is a watershed? Land area that drains to a common waterway, e.g. stream, lake, estuary, wetland, ultimately the ocean.

  4. What is Watershed Management? • Watershed management recognizes that the water quality of our streams, lakes, and estuaries results from… • human activities and • watershed characteristics in upstream areas • The goal of watershed management is… • an environmentally and economically healthy watershed • that benefits all stakeholders • Each watershed management plan includes… • unique goals and • site-specific management strategies to achieve those goals

  5. Watershed Management: Historical Perspective • Nineteenth an early to mid-twentieth Century • Goal was to enhance value of water bodies for residential, agricultural, industrial, navigational, recreational, and power generating uses, and to reduce flooding • 1970’s • Increasing national concern with water quality. Clean Water Act (CWA) passed in 1972 – restore chemical, physical, and biological integrity of nation’s waters. • Focus on point sources, wastewater treatment • Major improvements in water quality • 1980’s to today • Broader concern with ecosystem management and restoration. Nonpoint source pollution control. Ambient water quality.

  6. What is a TMDL? • A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) quantifies the amount of a particular pollutant a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards (pollutant budget). TMDL = WLA + LA + MOS Where: WLA = waste load allocation (point sources) LA = load allocation (nonpoint sources) MOS = Margin of safety • 3-phase process • Impairment Designation • TMDL Development • Implementation

  7. 7 Existing Condition TMDL Scenario Conceptual TMDL Concentration Water Quality Standard Concentration, C (mg/L) Time Center for Watershed Studies

  8. TMDL Process 8 Clean TMDL Development Study Impairment Designation Water quality standards met Water quality standards not met Adaptive management Monitoring Illustration adapted from original developed by Dr. Robert Brent, James Madison University Implementation Determine target pollutant loads needed to meet WQ criteria Implementation Planning How many and what type of pollutant control measures are needed to meet target loads? Center for Watershed Studies

  9. TMDL Process 9 Impairment Designation Water quality standards not met Illustration adapted from original developed by Dr. Robert Brent, James Madison University Center for Watershed Studies

  10. Impairment designation • An “impaired water” • contains excessive amounts of one or more pollutants • is any surface water that does not meet water quality standards (WQS) which are set to ensure water body supports historical beneficial uses • Biennial assessment of monitoring data • 305(b)/303(d) report

  11. Sources of Water Quality Impairments

  12. TMDL Process 12 TMDL Development Study Impairment Designation Water quality standards not met Illustration adapted from original developed by Dr. Robert Brent, James Madison University Determine target pollutant loads needed to meet WQ criteria Center for Watershed Studies

  13. 13 Watershed Characterization • Spatial • Land use • Elevation • Hydrography • Soils • Hydrology • Climate data • Precipitation • Etc. • Stream flow • Water quality • Pollutant sources • Point sources • Non-point sources • Existing activity • BMPs, etc. Source: EPA 841-B-05-005 Center for Watershed Studies

  14. Link pollutant sources to waterbody • Watershed model • Watershed characterization • Source characterization • Simulate response as a function of climate variability • Pollutant fate and transport • Allocation analysis tool Models are used to predict how watersheds respond, and to evaluate pollutant reduction options = X Land use and Management Stream Network Source: EPA 841-B-05-005

  15. Establish a TMDL Target Load Target based on water quality standard

  16. Existing conditions

  17. TMDL pollutant allocation

  18. TMDL Process 18 TMDL Development Study Impairment Designation Water quality standards not met Illustration adapted from original developed by Dr. Robert Brent, James Madison University Determine target pollutant loads needed to meet WQ criteria Implementation Planning How many and what type of pollutant control measures are needed to meet target loads? Center for Watershed Studies

  19. TMDL Implementation Plans • Details actions or strategies to achieve load reductions to ensure that water quality standards are met http://www.deq.state.va.us/tmdl/implans/ipguide.pdf

  20. Identify the causes and sources of pollutants Estimate the load reductions expected to achieve WQS Describe the NPS management measures needed to achieve load reductions; Estimate the amounts of technical and financial assistance needed Provide an information/ education component and encourage the public’s participation Provide a schedule for implementing the NPS management measures Describe interim, measurable milestones to assess implementation progress Identify a set of criteria for determining progress in achieving loading reductions Establish a monitoringcomponent to evaluate implementation efforts Nine minimum elements of a Watershed-based Plan

  21. 21 What roles can stakeholders play? • Provide additional detail on watershed • Actively engage additional stakeholders – peer to peer outreach • Identify technical/data resources • Review/suggest ways to address pollution sources • Identify potential impediments to implementation and ways to overcome • Identify local funding sources/ partnerships • Lead implementation of control measures (BMPs) Adapted from: Smith, 2002

  22. 22 Identify and prioritize appropriate BMPs Center for Watershed Studies

  23. 23 Establish goals and milestones Center for Watershed Studies

  24. TMDL Process 24 TMDL Development Study Impairment Designation Water quality standards not met Illustration adapted from original developed by Dr. Robert Brent, James Madison University Implementation Determine target pollutant loads needed to meet WQ criteria Implementation Planning How many and what type of pollutant control measures are needed to meet target loads? Center for Watershed Studies

  25. TMDL Implementation Center for Watershed Studies

  26. SOURCE: PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD City of Seattle

  27. Flow-through Planter Box RoofDrainage Solutions Dry Well Rain Barrel Soaking Trench From: Presentation made by David Hirschman, Biohabitats, Inc.

  28. Septic Maintenance Eliminate Straight pipes Photos: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

  29. Flyer for pet waste education program – Courtesy Roanoke River Roundtable

  30. Fencing and Riparian Buffer Photos: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

  31. Photo: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

  32. TMDL Process 32 TMDL Development Study Impairment Designation Water quality standards not met Adaptive management Monitoring Illustration adapted from original developed by Dr. Robert Brent, James Madison University Implementation Determine target pollutant loads needed to meet WQ criteria Implementation Planning How many and what type of pollutant control measures are needed to meet target loads? Center for Watershed Studies

  33. Adaptive management www.epa.gov/nps/watershed_handbook/ EPA 841-B-08-002

  34. TMDL Process 34 Clean TMDL Development Study Impairment Designation Water quality standards met Water quality standards not met Adaptive management Monitoring Illustration adapted from original developed by Dr. Robert Brent, James Madison University Implementation Determine target pollutant loads needed to meet WQ criteria Implementation Planning How many and what type of pollutant control measures are needed to meet target loads? Center for Watershed Studies

  35. Good resource www.epa.gov/nps/watershed_handbook/ EPA 841-B-08-002 http://www.epa.gov/owow/TMDL/pdf/draft_handbook.pdf

  36. Watershed Management Planning Steps STEP 1 Build Partnerships • ID stakeholders • ID issues of concern • Set preliminary goals • Develop indicators • Conduct outreach Source: EPA 841-B-05-005

  37. Watershed Management Planning Steps STEP 1 Build Partnerships • ID stakeholders • ID issues of concern • Set preliminary goals • Develop indicators • Conduct outreach STEP 2 Characterize Watershed • Gather existing data • Create data inventory • ID data gaps • Collect additional data, if needed • Analyze data • ID causes and sources • Estimate pollutant loads Source: EPA 841-B-05-005

  38. Watershed Management Planning Steps STEP 1 Build Partnerships • ID stakeholders • ID issues of concern • Set preliminary goals • Develop indicators • Conduct outreach STEP 3 Finalize Goals and ID Solutions • Set goals and management objectives • Develop indicators/targets • Determine load reductions needed • ID critical areas • ID management measures needed STEP 2 Characterize Watershed • Gather existing data • Create data inventory • ID data gaps • Collect additional data, if needed • Analyze data • ID causes and sources • Estimate pollutant loads Source: EPA 841-B-05-005

  39. Watershed Management Planning Steps STEP 1 Build Partnerships • ID stakeholders • ID issues of concern • Set preliminary goals • Develop indicators • Conduct outreach STEP 4 Design Implementation Program • Develop Implementation schedule • Set Interim milestones • Determine how you will measure success • Develop monitoring component • Develop evaluation process • ID technical and financial assistance needed • Assign responsibility STEP 3 Finalize Goals and ID Solutions • Set goals and management objectives • Develop indicators/targets • Determine load reductions needed • ID critical areas • ID management measures needed STEP 2 Characterize Watershed • Gather existing data • Create data inventory • ID data gaps • Collect additional data, if needed • Analyze data • ID causes and sources • Estimate pollutant loads Source: EPA 841-B-05-005

  40. Watershed Management Planning Steps STEP 1 Build Partnerships • ID stakeholders • ID issues of concern • Set preliminary goals • Develop indicators • Conduct outreach STEP 5 Implement Watershed Plan • Implement management strategies • Conduct outreach/education • Monitor/assess STEP 4 Design Implementation Program • Develop Implementation schedule • Set Interim milestones • Determine how you will measure success • Develop monitoring component • Develop evaluation process • ID technical and financial assistance needed • Assign responsibility STEP 3 Finalize Goals and ID Solutions • Set goals and management objectives • Develop indicators/targets • Determine load reductions needed • ID critical areas • ID management measures needed STEP 2 Characterize Watershed • Gather existing data • Create data inventory • ID data gaps • Collect additional data, if needed • Analyze data • ID causes and sources • Estimate pollutant loads Source: EPA 841-B-05-005

  41. Watershed Management Planning Steps STEP 1 Build Partnerships • ID stakeholders • ID issues of concern • Set preliminary goals • Develop indicators • Conduct outreach STEP 6 Measure Progress and Adjust • Review and evaluate information • Share results • Prepare annual plans • Make adjustments to program STEP 5 Implement Watershed Plan • Implement management strategies • Conduct outreach/education • Monitor/assess STEP 4 Design Implementation Program • Develop Implementation schedule • Set Interim milestones • Determine how you will measure success • Develop monitoring component • Develop evaluation process • ID technical and financial assistance needed • Assign responsibility STEP 3 Finalize Goals and ID Solutions • Set goals and management objectives • Develop indicators/targets • Determine load reductions needed • ID critical areas • ID management measures needed STEP 2 Characterize Watershed • Gather existing data • Create data inventory • ID data gaps • Collect additional data, if needed • Analyze data • ID causes and sources • Estimate pollutant loads Source: EPA 841-B-05-005

  42. Resource Links • Federal • EPA TMDL home page • http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/ • State • Virginia Department of Environmental Quality – TMDL page • http://www.deq.state.va.us/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/TMDL.aspx • Local TMDL IP – Stroubles Creek • http://www.deq.state.va.us/Portals/0/DEQ/Water/TMDL/ImplementationPlans/stroubip.pdf

  43. Resource Links • Virginia Cooperative Extension TMDL publications • http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/category/environmental-quality.html (look for pubs with “TMDL” in title) • TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) - terms and definitions • TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) for Bacteria Impairments • Microbial Source Tracking and the TMDL Process • TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) for Benthic Impairments • Implementation: what happens after the TMDL is developed?

  44. Thank you Brian Benham, benham@vt.edu Gene Yagow, eyagow@vt.edu

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