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Monitoring, Assessment and TMDLs
| Monitoring, Assessment and TMDL Quick Finder | ||||
National Links
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 2004 Assessment, Listing and Reporting Requirements Pursuant to Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act). Federal regulations 
describe Section 305(b) and Section 303(d) reporting requirements in greater detail.
Programs & Resources
- Impaired waters lists/TMDLS:
- State and EPA TMDL Program Contacts
- Region 9 monitoring, assessment, and TMDL planning by state or territory
- Assessments