BMPs (Best Management Practices) — Agricultural BMPs are practical, cost-effective actions that agricultural producers can take to reduce the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, and other pollutants entering our water resources. BMPs are designed to benefit water quality while maintaining or even enhancing agricultural production.

TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) — value of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards. Alternatively, TMDL is an allocation of that water pollutant deemed acceptable to the subject receiving waters.

CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) — an animal feeding facility that confines animals for more than 45 days in an area that does not produce vegetation during the growing season and the number of animals is equal to or over 1000 cattle, or 30000 laying hens. Once the facility is deemed a CAFO, the farm is subject to regulations. Smaller farms can also be designated a CAFO if they discharge into U.S. waters.

WIPs (Watershed Implementation Plans) – Plans that consider ecological restoration and sustainability.

MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) – Sewer systems that polluted, untreated storm water is often transported through into local waters.

OSWDS – OnSite Waste Disposal Systems

BAT (Best Available Technology) – Best available technology for nitrogen removal

ENR (Enhanced Nutrient Removal) – Reduces nitrogen discharge in treated watersheds

WWTPs (Waste Water Treatment Plants) – Plants that treat and dispose of liquid animal waste, pesticide residues etc. from agriculture. There are also sewage treatment plants, industrial wastewater treatment, and radioactive waste treatments