Monitoring, Assessment and TMDLs

Monitoring, Assessment and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Quick Finder
Monitoring & TMDLs Home 303(d) lists EPA-established TMDLs	EPA-lead TMDLs, in progress Monitoring Arizona TMDLs	California TMDLs Hawai'i TMDLs Nevada TMDLs	Pacific Islands TMDLs TMDL Contacts

National Links

Upper Eel River, Northern California

EPA, states, and tribes conduct intensive monitoring, assessment, and watershed planning activities to:

track water quality,
identify polluted waters, and
develop pollution control plans called "total maximum daily loads," or TMDLs.

The Clean Water Act requires states and territories to issue water quality status reports every two years. These reports identify water quality trends, prioritize polluted waters, and target waters for TMDL development. TMDLs identify the pollutant load reductions that are necessary from point and nonpoint sources and guide implementation work by federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local water quality protection programs.

EPA recommends the preparation of an integrated water quality monitoring and assessment report (Integrated Report) that includes all the information required in the Section 305(b) and 303(d) reports (for more information, see the Guidance for Assessment, Listing and Reporting Requirements). Federal regulations describe Section 305(b) and Section 303(d) reporting requirements in greater detail.

States and territories in the Region 9 (Pacific Southwest) maintain programs that conduct water quality monitoring, develop assessment reports, and develop TMDLs for impaired waters. More information about individual State and Territory programs can be found at the links listed above.

Guidance for the 2010 Integrated Report is now available.

Federal regulations at 40CFR130 describe Water Quality Planning and Management requirements, Section 305(b) and Section 303(d) reporting requirements in greater detail.