Total Maximum Daily Load Program: Communities Working Together to Improve Water Quality
A TMDL is a scientifically-derived target that tells us the greatest amount of a particular substance that we can add to a waterway and still keep it healthy. The TMDL gives us a measurable way to target our efforts to protect and improve the quality of our streams, lakes, and bays.
These substances are not necessarily harmful in and of themselves. For example, phosphorus is an essential nutrient, but too much phosphorus can lead to an overgrowth of algae. Another example is bacteria, which occur naturally in both human and animal waste. But too much bacteria can make it more hazardous to swim in a creek, lake, or bay—activities called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality.
Projects of the TMDL Program
Protecting people and aquatic species by reducing pollution in impaired or threatened waterways.
TMDLs and Their Implementation
What TMDLs are and how TCEQ and stakeholders make a difference in the quality of our waterways.
Developing TMDL Projects
Guidelines for organizations that develop or implement TMDLs for Texas waterways.
All Impaired Waters
, 2020
Categories 4 and 5 of the most recent EPA-approved Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality.
Segments with TMDLs
The TCEQ must consider TMDLs in permits it issues under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). Permits identify the classified segment to which wastewater is discharged.
Summary of Completed TMDLs and Implementation Plans
TMDL is complete; I-Plan development or approval may be incomplete. Includes dates of adoption or approval by the commission and EPA.
News
About TMDLs, I-Plans, and water quality.
Calendar
Stakeholder Meetings.
Participating in TMDL Projects
How to get involved in your watershed.
Get TMDL News Updates
Get e-mail or text news updates from the Total Maximum Daily Load Program.
Preserving and Improving Water Quality
An overview of how the TCEQ defines, measures, evaluates, and manages the quality of surface waters in Texas.
Watershed Action Planning
Strategies and plans for protecting and improving the quality of the state's streams, lakes, and estuaries.
Hydrography Data and Map-Based Data Viewers
GIS-based data viewers and GIS data for classified segments and other surface water information.
For More Information
Please send an e-mail to tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Hillebrandt Bayou bacteria project in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
Back to top