Impaired Waters and TMDLs in Region 3
EPA Region 3 serves Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, as well as 7 federally recognized tribal nations.
On this page:
- Public Notices
- Chesapeake Bay TMDL
- Search for specific impaired waters and TMDLs
- Current Projects
- State-specific information and actions
Contact Region 3: Impaired Waters and TMDLs Staff
Public Notices
Chesapeake Bay TMDL
Search for Specific Impaired Waters and TMDLs
- For the latest surface water quality assessment decision data, please visit How’s My Waterway, or visit the ATTAINS website.
Current Projects
- Support Source Water Protection Efforts Within the Octoraro Creek Watershed, Chester and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania
- The EPA, in collaboration with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, has developed two pilot advance restoration plans for Knight Run Subwatershed in Chester County and Nickel Mines Run Subwatershed in Lancaster County. These subwatersheds drain to the Octoraro Reservoir, a source of drinking water. Engagement with the Octoraro Source Water Collaborative (OSWC) partners working within the watershed informed many aspects of the plans. The plans leveraged the water quality model developed in 2022 to identify best management practices to meet water quality goals. These plans focus implementation efforts to reduce sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus in small areas to maximize the environmental benefits for local streams while achieving overall reductions to the Octoraro Reservoir.
- For more information, please contact Ashley Geiger, project lead, at geiger.ashley@epa.gov.
- Advance Restoration Plan for the Knight Run Subwatershed (April 2026) (pdf)
- Advance Restoration Plan for the Nickel Mines Run Subwatershed (April 2026) (pdf)
- Supporting Documents
- Water Quality Modeling to Support Source Water and Aquatic Life Protection, Octoraro Creek, Pennsylvania and Maryland Final Modeling Report (pdf)
- Outreach Brochure for Farmers (pdf)
- Factsheet for Technical Service Providers (pdf)
Comment Response Document for Knight Run and Nickel Mines Run ARPs (pdf)
- Public Meeting: Baltimore County to Provide Update on its Investigation to Track Down Hot-Spots and Sources of PCBs (Project Status: Completed)
- The EPA, in collaboration with the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), held a public meeting to share the results of a preliminary investigation to track down hot-spots and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Baltimore County. Representatives from Baltimore County shared the results of their preliminary investigation and discussed next steps. Representatives from MDE provided background information on the PCB TMDL Implementation and Source Track Down Guidance.
- For more information, please contact Jillian Cudnik, project lead, at Cudnik.jillian@epa.gov
Water Quality Modeling to Support Source Water and Aquatic Life Protection, Octoraro Creek, Pennsylvania and Maryland (Project Status: Completed)
- In 2023, the EPA developed a water quality model to guide restoration planning efforts for the Octoraro Creek Watershed. The data and model along with tools to evaluate nutrient and sediment reduction strategies will guide Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and local partners to develop plans for supporting a healthy ecosystem and protecting drinking water.
- For more information, please contact Ashley Geiger, project lead, at geiger.ashley@epa.gov.
- Octoraro Modeling Project Scenario Planning Meeting--January 31st, 2022 (link to recording)
Water Quality Model Stakeholder Meeting-- April 25th, 2023 (link to recording)
Fish Tissue Sampling for PCBs in the Gunpowder River Watershed, Maryland (Project Status: Completed)
- EPA completed fish tissue sampling for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in October 2023, in Seneca Creek, Saltpeter Creek, and the Gunpowder River. These sampling results were submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for evaluation in their ensuing CWA section 305(b)/303(d) integrated reporting, as well as for consideration in Maryland’s fish consumption advisory.
- For more information, please contact Jillian Cudnik, project lead, at Cudnik.jillian@epa.gov
- Fish Tissue Sampling Results (October 2023) (pdf)
State-specific Information and Actions
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Contact information for EPA Region 3 303(d) staff can be found at Contact Us About Impaired Waters and TMDLs.