How program management is revolutionizing Chesapeake Bay TMDL compliance

For stormwater managers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the pressure to meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements is more than just a regulatory hurdle – it’s a massive logistical and financial challenge. At the 2026 Ohio Stormwater Conference, Srikanth Gorugantula, P.E., CFM, Regional Water Resources Lead at HDR, shared how Prince George’s County, Maryland, bypassed the limitations of traditional "project-by-project" thinking through a robust programmatic approach.

Through the Clean Water Partnership (CWP) – a 30-year community-based public-private partnership – the county has successfully treated over 6,000 acres of impervious area and completed more than 300 BMPs.

Project vs. program: Shifting the paradigm

Gorugantula emphasized that while a project (like a single stream restoration or pond retrofit) has a specific goal and schedule, a program is a coordinated delivery approach. This distinction is vital for municipalities facing aggressive regulatory deadlines and limited staff capacity.

By bundling projects into a large-scale Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Gorugantula noted that municipalities can:

• Drive execution efficiency: Attract larger contractors with competitive pricing through economies of scale.

• Leverage funding: A bundled program often competes better for state and federal grants/loans than isolated, small-scale projects.

• Ensure long-term maintenance: The CWP model includes a 30-year "design-build-finance-operate-maintain" cycle, ensuring BMPs remain functional and compliant long after construction ends.

Lessons from the field: Data-driven choices

One of the most compelling aspects of Gorugantula's analysis was the use of performance metrics to inform future BMP selection. By tracking the cost per pound of pollutants removed ($/lb) across different project types, the program identified clear trends:

• Stream restorations: Provided the "biggest bang for the buck" regarding nitrogen and phosphorus reduction.

• Micro-bioretention: While often smaller in scale, these projects served as essential tools for community engagement and meeting localized untreated acreage requirements.

Sand filters: Data showed these often yielded higher costs per treated acre compared to other green infrastructure, allowing the team to pivot resources toward more cost-effective solutions.

The Human element: Small business and education

A standout feature of the Prince George’s County model is its focus on social equity. The program intentionally sought to keep the "conveyor belt" of work moving to support local, small businesses. Gorugantula highlighted that providing payment certainty and a steady stream of work is crucial; without it, small contractors often flee to other markets.

Furthermore, the program utilized schools and faith-based organizations as project sites. By installing "outdoor classrooms" alongside bioretention units, the county fostered long-term community buy-in and educated the next generation of environmental stewards.