TMDL
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Environmental
| Stands for | Total maximum daily load |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
TMDL stands for Total maximum daily load, an environmental abbreviation.
Under the US Clean Water Act, the maximum amount of a pollutant a water body can receive and still meet water-quality standards, allocated among sources such as treatment plants, farms and stormwater. States must set TMDLs for impaired waters.
Example: The TMDL for the lake requires a 40% cut in phosphorus from farm runoff.
Usage notes
TMDLs come from Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, which requires states to list impaired waters. The Chesapeake Bay TMDL, issued in 2010 for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment, is the largest ever developed, covering parts of six states and the District of Columbia. Despite the name, many TMDLs set annual or seasonal limits.
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