What is TMDL?
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is like a budget for pollution. The Clean Water Act and the EPA require that all states identify water bodies that do not meet, or are not expected to meet, applicable water quality standards for designated uses. These water bodies are listed and prioritized in order to schedule Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development.
New! The Bacteria Implementation Group, or BIG, is meeting to develop a plan to reduce bacteria levels identified in TMDLs for the region. Next meeting: August 19, 2008.
New! Meetings for the Houston Ship Channel TMDL and the Houston Metropolitan Area TMDL have been scheduled.
TMDL Studies
A TMDL study is a technical analysis that determines maximum loadings of a pollutant of concern that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards and allocates this allowable loading to point and nonpoint pollutant sources in the watershed.
Current TMDL Studies (these links will direct you to the TCEQ website)
Buffalo and Whiteoak Bayous (Bacteria) - H-GAC
Houston Ship Channel (Dioxin) - H-GAC
Clear Creek (Bacteria) - H-GAC
Houston Metropolitan Area (Bacteria) - H-GAC
Lake Houston (Bacteria) - H-GAC
Upper Coast Oyster Waters (Bacteria) - GBEP
Upper Oyster Creek (Bacteria and Dissolved Oxygen) - TIAER
Dickinson Bayou (Bacteria) - Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership
Gulf Coastal Waters (Evaluating the Safety of Oyster Harvesting in 14 Bays)
Completed TMDL Studies (these links will direct you to the TCEQ website)
Clear Creek Above Tidal (Total Dissolved Solids and Chloride)
Clear Creek (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Clear Creek (Chlordane)
Houston Ship Channel (Nickel)
Dickinson Bayou (Dissolved Oxygen) - Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership
Public Participation
H-GAC conducts TMDL public participation activities to gain local input. By forming individual stakeholder groups and conducting public meetings, H-GAC can ensure that local perspectives are considered during TMDL development.
Click to view Meeting Notes.
Get Involved