Abstract
The objectives of this research are to help the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) anticipate the requirements of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process and to have the data at hand to respond if TxDOT is identified as contributing to the impairment. An interactive geographic information system (GIS) map of the impaired streams was created in ArcGIS to aid TxDOT in identifying where the impaired segments are in relation to major highways and roads. Runoff quality data from TxDOT facilities in the state were compiled and compared to water quality standards to determine constituents of concern. Existing Best Management Practices (BMPs) were assessed for their effectiveness in treating highway runoff. A toolbox of appropriate BMPs for specific pollutants was developed from this assessment. The results from this study indicate that the major causes of impairment of water bodies in Texas are bacteria and low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Unfortunately, there are currently no BMPs that effectively address pathogens and nutrients. It is recommended that TxDOT pursue a pollutant trading program as an alternative to implementing BMPs if required to reduce loadings of pollutants to impaired segments.
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