Integration of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) concepts as an adaptive approach to pollutant loading management in Asia: a review

Fasihah Mohd Yusof, . and Nor Rohaizah Jamil, . and Syahida Sapia’e, . and Frankie Marcus Ata, . and Nur Khaliesah Abdul Malik, . (2025) Integration of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) concepts as an adaptive approach to pollutant loading management in Asia: a review. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology (Malaysia), 33 (1). 507 -523. ISSN 2231-8526

Water scarcity and pollution are escalating challenges in Asia, impacting ecological systems and human livelihoods. This paper reviews the integration of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) in water management to address the dual issues of water quality and quantity. TMDL focuses on regulating the number of pollutants entering water bodies to meet quality standards, while EFA ensures that enough water is available to support aquatic ecosystems. Their independent application, however, often leads to gaps—TMDL can overlook ecological needs, while EFA may neglect pollution control. The integration of these two frameworks offers a more holistic solution, especially in water-stressed regions like Southeast Asia, where moderate water availability is exacerbated by urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural runoff. Case studies from Malaysia, Indonesia, and China reveal the limitations of applying TMDL and EFA separately and underscore the necessity of addressing both ecological flow requirements and pollution limits. This paper identifies key pollutants such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), heavy metals, and total suspended solids (TSS), particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, and highlights the importance of tailoring strategies to the specific needs of different regions. By combining TMDL and EFA, policymakers can better manage pollutant loads, secure ecological health, and address Asia’s pressing water management issues. This review emphasizes the need for adaptable, integrated water management strategies that account for seasonal fluctuations, competing water demands, and regional water availability and pollution differences.

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Abstract

Water scarcity and pollution are escalating challenges in Asia, impacting ecological systems and human livelihoods. This paper reviews the integration of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) in water management to address the dual issues of water quality and quantity. TMDL focuses on regulating the number of pollutants entering water bodies to meet quality standards, while EFA ensures that enough water is available to support aquatic ecosystems. Their independent application, however, often leads to gaps—TMDL can overlook ecological needs, while EFA may neglect pollution control. The integration of these two frameworks offers a more holistic solution, especially in water-stressed regions like Southeast Asia, where moderate water availability is exacerbated by urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural runoff. Case studies from Malaysia, Indonesia, and China reveal the limitations of applying TMDL and EFA separately and underscore the necessity of addressing both ecological flow requirements and pollution limits. This paper identifies key pollutants such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), heavy metals, and total suspended solids (TSS), particularly in urban and semi-urban areas, and highlights the importance of tailoring strategies to the specific needs of different regions. By combining TMDL and EFA, policymakers can better manage pollutant loads, secure ecological health, and address Asia’s pressing water management issues. This review emphasizes the need for adaptable, integrated water management strategies that account for seasonal fluctuations, competing water demands, and regional water availability and pollution differences.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	water quality
AGROVOC Term:	pollutants
AGROVOC Term:	biochemical oxygen demand
AGROVOC Term:	chemical oxygen demand
AGROVOC Term:	heavy metals
AGROVOC Term:	urbanization
AGROVOC Term:	industrialization
AGROVOC Term:	pollution control
AGROVOC Term:	water management
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA), modeling, pollutant load, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), water quality
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2026 03:57
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2026 03:57
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/4357

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