On July 11, 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued new rules expanding and strengthening total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) as a tool to control nonpoint source pollutants in Iowa's surface waters. A TMDL is defined as the amount of a pollutant that a water body such as a stream, lake, reservoir, or wetland can receive and still meet designated water quality standards.

A fact sheet titled, Implications of the New TMDL Rules for Iowa Agriculture has been jointly prepared by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University Extension. This fact sheet will help you better understand this very important subject.