Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): Restoring Water Quality
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a term used by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for plans to restore and maintain water quality in streams, lakes, and estuaries that violate water quality standards. TMDL is also known as a "pollution diet."
New Information about TMDL
Read more about the
draft Draft Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan. Learn
how you can participate in the public comment period that ends September 18.
During extensive testing for pollutants in 1998, major portions of Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries within Virginia were listed as impaired. The main pollutants causing these impairments are nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. Significant efforts are underway by federal, state, and local governments, including the City of Falls Church, to address these water quality issues and meet goals established under the federal Clean Water Act.
The Chesapeake Bay watershed remains on the impaired waters list, so the EPA requires that a TMDL be developed.
Federal & State Laws, City Ordinance
Federal and state laws and city ordinance prohibit dumping of solid or hazardous waste into any streams or drainage areas in the city. Furthermore, the ordinance authorizes city representatives to enforce and administer the provisions of the ordinance, including issuing warnings and monetary fines for violations.
City code also prohibits unauthorized connections to any public storm sewer and lifting of manholes or tampering with manholes, basins, or storm sewer inlets. Any person with a need to make a connection to the city storm drain system should contact the Engineering and Construction Division at 703-248-5350 (TTY 711).
Report Discharge of Prohibited Items
To report discharge or dumping of prohibited items, call 703-248-5350, ext. 2 (TTY 711).
To report a hazardous material spill that constitutes an emergency and requires cleanup, call 911 for the Fire Department Hazardous Material response.