TMDL for Impaired Water Bodies

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

Development of a TMDL is initiated when impairments are consistently above allowable limits and regulations are needed. A TMDL is a numerical value that represents the highest amount of a pollutant a surface water body can receive while still meeting the set standard. In addition, the TMDL plan determines the pollutant reduction target and load allocation reductions necessary to the source(s) of the pollutant.

  1. puyallup river tmdl
  2. clarks creek tmdl

Puyallup River TMDL

Fecal Coliform
 

Fecal coliform is bacteria resulting from animal or human waste in our waters. The sources of fecal coliform include leaking septic systems, stormwater runoff, or cross-connections between the sewer and stormwater systems. Deer Creek has been identified as one of the Puyallup River tributaries that contribute to the elevated levels of fecal coliform.

What Have We Done?

Land near Shaw Road on Deer Creek was purchased by the city in 2012. In 2016 it was determined that the property would be inadequate in size and characteristics to serve a regional stormwater facility. The city has continued to acquire land that would create a large corridor of continuous city ownership along Deer Creek. This corridor will support a future stream restoration project to improve wetland function and natural stream channel meandering to reduce localized flooding. As part of that project, the city plans to monitor fecal coliform counts upstream and downstream of the project site to determine water quality improvements the project may provide by adding natural stream features. All property acquisition of the corridor was completed in 2018 and the 30% design has been completed for the project.   The city applied for several grants and is looking at funding opportunities for the project.