A TMDL (total MAXIMUM daily load) is a CALCULATION of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality STANDARDS.

In other words, it is the sum of the allowable loads of a single pollutant from all contributing point and non-point sources, and includes a margin of safety and consideration of seasonal variations. In addition, a TMDL contains the REDUCTIONS needed to meet water quality standards and allocates those reductions among the sources in the watershed.

A TMDL (total maximum daily load) is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards.

In other words, it is the sum of the allowable loads of a single pollutant from all contributing point and non-point sources, and includes a margin of safety and consideration of seasonal variations. In addition, a TMDL contains the reductions needed to meet water quality standards and allocates those reductions among the sources in the watershed.