More Details on Projects: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) A
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a calculation of the amount
of pollutants that a water body can assimilate and still perform
all its functions. Development of a TMDL for the Woonasquatucket
is not just a requirement of the Clean Water Act, but will help
us to regulate and monitor the health of the river and to
identify problem areas. The TMDL for the Woonasquatucket for
fecal coliform bacteria and dissolved metals was complete in
April of 2007 and is available on the DEM website. The Rhode
Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) also ordered
a complete characterization of stretches along the river as well
as pond and reservoir sampling. More than 350 stormwater
outfalls have been identified thus far and efforts continue to
track down illicit discharges in dry weather. Wet weather
monitoring was used to identify sources of metals, bacteria, and
other pollutants.