What is the purpose of a TMDL Study?
A TMDL Study identifies sources of pollution and reductions needed to attain water quality standards. A TMDL considers point sources such as residential, municipal, or industrial discharges and non-point sources such as residential, urban, or agricultural runoff. Virginia’s goal is that all streams attain the appropriate beneficial uses. These beneficial uses are described by the following use goals: drinking water use, swimming use, fishing use, shellfishing use, and aquatic life use. These uses are protected by application of the state’s numeric and narrative water quality criteria.
