How Is MST Used in the TMDL Process?
Once a body of water has been listed as impaired by fecal bacteria by the DEQ, a TMDL study must be conducted to determine how the impairment can be remedied so the water body will meet appropriate water-quality standards. Part of each bacterial TMDL study involves a pollutant source characterization that consists of estimating the various bacterial sources and their respective contributions to the water body. Typically, when developing a bacterial impairment TMDL in Virginia, source characterization is accomplished using multiple approaches, including gathering information from state agencies, contacting local stakeholders, making watershed reconnaissance visits, finding information published in technical literature, and using the best professional judgment.
