Waters of the state are regularly assessed to determine if surface water quality standards are met and designated uses are supported. Waters that do not meet the applicable standard(s) or support the applicable designated use(s) are placed on the 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Waters (303(d) List), as part of New Jersey’s biennial Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report. Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act requires development of a TMDL for the pollutant(s) causing the impairment. Impaired waters are ranked and prioritized for TMDL development as part of the development of the 303(d) List every two years.

The factors considered in TMDL ranking and prioritization are described in the Integrated Water Quality Assessment Methods. Federal regulations concerning TMDLs are contained in USEPA's Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations (40 CFR 130,7(c)). New Jersey’s rules regarding TMDLs are set forth in the Water Quality Management Planning rules at N.J.A.C. 7:15-5.

Many of the waters placed on New Jersey's 303(d) List are impaired primarily by nonpoint sources of pollution or regulated stormwater sources rather than traditional point sources. For these impairments, development of a watershed restoration plan or watershed based plan can be an effective alternative to a formal TMDL. These plans characterize pollutant sources, the reductions needed to attain standards and the means to achieve the reductions. Implementation of these plans can often be achieved through receipt of Water Quality Restoration Grants for Nonpoint Source Pollution.

A load reduction target must be established for each pollutant listed as a cause of water quality impairment on the 303(d) List. A TMDL can include multiple load reductions but a separate TMDL equation must be derived for each pollutant causing water quality impairment. TMDLs must be calculated so that surface water quality standards for each pollutant will be attained. The critical condition and seasonal variation need to be considered, plus a margin of safety (MOS) to account for uncertainty, are all part of the TMDL development. The TMDL is allocated among all of the sources of the pollutant, including point sources, nonpoint sources and natural background.

Point sources are any discernible, confined, and/or discrete conveyance from which pollutants are or may be discharged, such as wastewater treatment facilities, combined sewer overflows and/or stormwater. All point sources receive wasteload allocations (WLAs) as part of the TMDL.

Nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution are diffuse sources, such as overland runoff and air deposition, other than a point source from which pollutants are or may be discharged or harbor other activity that contributes or may contribute to water pollution. NPS receive Load Allocations (LAs) as part of the TMDL.

A Margin of Safety (MOS) is also required as part of the TMDL but it can be expressed as either an explicit part of the TMDL equation or may be accounted for through conservative assumptions made in calculating the TMDL. Reserve Capacity is an optional TMDL component included as a pollutant load for later allocation.

Mathematical models are used to simulate water quality conditions throughout the impaired waterbody and its watershed, including the sources of pollutants, the relationship between pollutant loading and the water chemistry and other environmental responses resulting in water quality impairment. The model is also used to evaluate pollutant reduction scenarios and waterbody response to these scenarios. The selection and application of an appropriate model leads to scientifically-defensible, TMDL-assigned pollutant reductions. There are different types of mathematical models that vary in the level of complexity:

Simple models calculate the percent reduction of pollutants neccessary to meet Surface Water Quality Standards without a need to mimic pollutant changes in the environment and are sometimes adequate for a TMDL.

Complex models can simulate changes in pollutant concentrations and flow in the contributing drainage area. Pollutant transformation and relationships to other pollutants in the area are often mimicked in complex water quality modeling.

• Verify the water quality impairment


• Analyze water quality data in the watershed


• Collect additional data if needed (e.g. stream water quality data, stream characteristic measurements, weather data, etc.)


• Present information on water quality impairment and seek input from stakeholders


• Construct and test the TMDL model


• When there is a good model fit, run the TMDL model for different pollutant reduction scenarios


• Select appropriate reductions to meet the water quality standard under modeled critical waterbody conditions


• Convene a Model Evaluation Group appropriate to review complex models to vet that constructed/validated models are ready for TMDL proposal


• Propose TMDL to the Water Quality Management Plan


• Public review of proposed TMDL report


• Submit final TMDLs to USEPA for approval


• Adopt TMDL as a Water Quality Management Plan amendment


• Implement TMDLs through New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit revisions and grant restoration projects

• A TMDL is "proposed" when DEP publishes the TMDL Report as a proposed Water Quality Management Plan amendment in the New Jersey Register for public review and comment in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:15-3.4


• Following the public comment period, DEP prepares a response to comments and minor revisions to the TMDL


• The revised document with response to comments is “established” upon submittal to EPA for review


• Following EPA’s review and approval process, the TMDL is deemed “approved.” DEP can then implement the TMDL and it can proceed to be “adopted” as an amendment to the Water Quality Management Plan, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:15-3.4


• The Notice of Adoption is published in the New Jersey Register

There are various informed opportunities during the development of a TMDL for public participation. Public meetings may be held to present information and solicit feedback. Additionally, formal public comments are sought when a TMDL is proposed - either in person at a hearing, in writing or both.

To stay up to date on public meetings join our DEP Email List and select WRM-Water Quality Assessment/Standards/Total Maximum Daily Loads.

Public participation, by stakeholders, is a valuable part of TMDL development and can be beneficial at various stages throughout the process. For example, local knowledge of water quality conditions and/or potential pollutant sources can influence TMDL monitoring designs. In addition, local water monitoring data can assist in developing a more accurate water quality model. Stakeholder input during the TMDL publication phase can help refine the final report as well as identify appropriate fixes to improve and restore water quality.

Over 600 TMDLs are covered in 50 TMDL documents that have been developed in New Jersey. The pollutants addressed by these TMDLs include pathogens, total phosphorus, mercury, PCBs, and various other pollutants described below and in the New Jersey TMDL List.

The top ten causes of water quality impairment in 2020 are shown in the chart below. Of all causes of impairments, five of the top ten are associated with the aquatic life designated use, including total phosphorus. TMDLs have been established for 68% of the pathogens, 65% of the mercury and 41% of the total phosphorus causing impairment.

Pathogen TMDLs have been developed for most of the watersheds assessed as not supporting the shellfish harvest for consumption use (79%). See the maps below for additional information.

Click on map to enlarge

To find out what TMDLs are in your area use the TMDL look-up tool and enter the county and municipality of interest.

To view a map of areas covered by a TMDL use the DEP’s NJ-GeoWeb. Select the “TMDL” layers found in the table of contents.

DEP also provides TMDL shapefiles for download from the NJDEP Open Data (arcgis.com). Select the appropriate layer available in the dropdown on DEP Digital Data Downloads in ArcGIS Shape file format.

A TMDL Look-Up Tool is also available that allows the user to quickly identify if an approved TMDL is associated with surface waters within or bordering their municipality. This tool was developed to help municipal stormwater coordinators implement requirements of municipal separate storm sewer (MS4) permits but may be used by anyone with an interest in water quality in New Jersey.