The documents available on this page provide information for
contractors and other organizations that manage TMDL projects in
Texas.
The goal of a TMDL is to restore the full use of a water body
that has limited quality in relation to one or more of its uses.
The TMDL defines an environmental target by determining the extent
to which a certain pollutant must be reduced in order to attain and
maintain the affected use. Based on this environmental target, the
state develops an implementation plan to mitigate anthroprogenic
sources of pollution within the watershed and restore full use of
the water body.
The TCEQ and the Texas State Soil and
Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) 
work
closely on the preparation and approval of TMDLs when one or more
of the sources are from agricultural or silvicultural nonpoint
sources of pollution.
Guidance for Project Lead
Organizations
A lead organization accepts responsibility for guiding a TMDL
project. Often, the TCEQ is the lead organization. However, the
TSSWCB, other state agencies, consultants, universities, river
authorities, communities, or private consortiums may lead the
development of TMDLs. Ultimately, the TCEQ is responsible for
ensuring that all TMDLs developed for Texas water bodies conform
with state and federal law; therefore, the TCEQ participates in all
projects, regardless of who leads them.
Managing Data
Guidance, forms, and contact information for people who monitor
surface water quality under the state's assessment program.
Quality Assurance
Shell documents for quality assurance project plans (QAPP) are
provided below in Word. The monitoring QAPP was updated in July
2008. The modeling QAPP was updated in October 2007. Help downloading
files.
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Federal Regulations
and EPA Guidance
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
administers the federal TMDL program.
Text of
Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act
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