Integrated Report and Total Maximum Daily Loads
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The purpose of the Integrated Report (IR) is to inform the public of the overall status of surface water quality statewide, describing the extent to which water quality provides for the protection and propagation of a balanced population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife, and allows recreational activities in and on the water. The report is prepared to fulfill the requirements for State reporting pursuant to Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 303(d) and 305(b), which require states to provide an assessment every two years on the quality of all their waters (§305(b)), and a list of those waters that are impaired or threatened (§303(d)). The report is intended to guide future management actions for state waters, provide data for long term trend assessment, and document water quality improvements across the state.
The Clean Water Branch currently uploads all IR documents to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) How’s My Waterway website. Once on the site, go to Hawaii Documents to find the IR.
Click Here to Access the Most Recent IR on EPA’s Site
The Clean Water Act §303(d) list is a list of State waters that are determined to be impaired. A waterbody is considered to be impaired when monitoring data has shown that the water exceeds the State’s water quality standards. This list is required to be updated on a two-year cycle.
The Clean Water Branch currently uploads all IR documents to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) How’s My Waterway website. Once on the site, go to Hawaii Documents to find the IR.
Click Here to Access the Most Recent IR and §303(d) List on EPA’s Site
The Clean Water Act §305(b) list is a list of all State waters and an assessment on their compliance with State water quality standards. This list includes all State waters including those that are compliant with State water quality standards unlike the Clean Water Act §303(d) list which only contains impaired waters. This list is required to be updated on a two-year cycle.
The Clean Water Branch currently uploads all IR documents to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) How’s My Waterway website. Once on the site, go to Hawaii Documents to find the IR.
Click Here to Access the Most Recent IR and §305(b) List on EPA’s Site
Submittal of Data for Consideration in the IR
The Hawaii State Department of Health (HIDOH) is obligated by the Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections (§) 303(d) and §305(b) to report on the State’s water quality on a two-year cycle. As part of the IR process, the Clean Water Branch may consider data submitted by the public for use in the assessment of water quality of State waters, provided that data meets Clean Water Branch data acceptance criteria. Data that does not meet the data submittal criteria may not be considered for use in the Integrated Report. In preparation for this, HIDOH will announce a call for data submissions on every odd-numbered year for reporting in even numbered years.
For the Clean Water Branch to use submitted data, submittals must conform to the provided data acceptance criteria.
The Data Submittal Form can be found here.
The following files are previous IRs and supporting documents.
These documents are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the most recently approved IR available on EPA’s How’s My Waterway Site.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
Section 303(d)(1)(C) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) implementing regulations (40 CFR Part 130 [note: CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations]) require the establishment of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to achieve state water quality standards (WQS) when a waterbody is water quality-limited.
A TMDL identifies the amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can assimilate and still comply with applicable WQS. TMDLs quantify the amount a pollutant must be reduced to achieve a level (or “load”) that allows a given waterbody to fully support its designated uses. TMDLs also include an appropriate margin of safety (MOS) to account for uncertainty or lack of knowledge regarding the pollutant loads and the response of the receiving water.
The mechanisms used to address water quality problems after the TMDL is developed can include a combination of best management practices (BMPs) for nonpoint sources and/or effluent limits required through USEPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for point sources.
The TMDL process serves as a roadmap for water body restoration by focusing on improving water quality in impaired surface waters identified in the biennial State of Hawaii Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report. TMDLs identify sources of pollution within a watershed and determine pollutant load reductions required for a water body to meet water quality standards.
The TMDL process is a vital component of implementing water quality improvement projects under Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grants, administered by the Department of Health, Polluted Runoff Control Program.
Additional information on TMDLs can be found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency TMDL website.
Water Quality Restoration Project for Kalihi Stream, Keehi Lagoon, and Moanalua Stream
The CWB is currently conducting an ongoing water quality restoration project for Kalihi Stream, Keehi Lagoon, and Moanalua Stream.
For more information on the project, please see the fact sheet for the project at: https://health.hawaii.gov/cwb/files/2023/07/Final_PlannedTMDLFactSheet.pdf.
Ka’elepulu/Enchanted Lake Assessment Project
The CWB has completed its water quality assessment of the Ka’elepulu waterbody in Kailua. Waters were tested for fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci, Clostridium perfringens), nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate nitrite) chlorophyll a, silicates, turbidity, and total suspended solids. A link to a pdf of the assessment report can be found here.
Assessment is the first step in water quality restoration. For restoration to be successful, CWB is seeking the cooperation and participation of all community members and stakeholders. Please attend the local community meetings so your concerns and feedback are heard. Consider participating in events dedicated to improving water quality such as the removal of invasive species and the cultivation of rain gardens.
Any questions can be directed to [email protected]
Mahalo for your assistance in restoring, protecting, and preserving Hawai’i’s treasured water resources.
TMDL Technical Reports and Implementation Plans for Approved TMDLs
For the DOH Submittal Letter, EPA Approval Letter, and the EPA Review Checklist, please contact the Clean Water Branch.
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