The Advocate
The Advocate is a periodic update on TCEQ rules, including information about compliance issues and regulatory concerns that affect small businesses and local governments. It’s produced by the TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance Section.
Free Water Filters for Schools and Child Care Facilities
April 2024—Join Us for a Webinar May 1 to Learn More About Our Free Program
TCEQ 2024 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference
April 2024—Join us at our 2024 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference May 14-15 at the Austin Convention Center.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: What Does Your Permit Say? Part 2 – A Look at Pretreatment and Biosolids Requirements for POTWs
February 2024—On Feb. 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT, EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits.
Revised Rule on Inventory Control for Retail Service Stations
February 2024—TCEQ has adopted and revised Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Chapter 334 which regulates inventory control at retail service stations for underground storage tanks.
Upcoming Deadline for MSGP Facilities to Report in NetDMR
February 2024—Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) facilities must submit electronic Discharge Monitoring Reports of all required monitoring results by March 31, 2024.
Delayed Renewal for Phase II (Small) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) General Permit
January 2024—The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has delayed the renewal of the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) general permit for small MS4s, TXR040000, until August 2024.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: NPDES Permit Overview and Reporting for POTWs – What Does Your Permit Say?
January 2024—On Jan. 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT, EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits.
Temporary Waivers for Certain TPDES Electronic Reporting Requirements
December 2023—You may need to continue to submit Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) reports in paper format—under a temporary waiver—because the electronic reporting tools are not yet available for the following federal reporting requirements:
EPA Announces Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)
December 2023—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the proposed LCRI on Nov. 30, 2023.
TCEQ Seeks Stakeholder Input on Upcoming Rulemaking Related to On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSFs)
December 2023—TCEQ is holding seven stakeholder meetings from December 2023 to March 2024 to present and take comments on rulemaking for OSSFs.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Wipes in Collection Systems
October 2023—EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Nov. 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar—Fats, Oils, and Grease: What We Know After 23 Years of FOG Work
October 2023—EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Oct. 12th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
TCEQ Hosts the Water Quality/Stormwater Seminar
September 2023—Please join us at the Water Quality/Stormwater Seminar on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023!
Drought Response for Public Water Systems
September 2023—Extreme drought conditions have returned to Texas, and dry conditions are predicted to continue or worsen for the state. Public water systems may start to see a strain on their water supplies. TCEQ is encouraging public water systems to take reasonable measures to increase conservation efforts and identify and secure alternative water supplies to meet water needs.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Mathematical Fundamentals
September 2023—EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Sept. 21st from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CDT.
Update: Meeting and Extended Public Comment on the General Permit for the Phase II (Small) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
September 2023—The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the process of renewing the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) general permit for small MS4s, TXR040000, which expires on Jan. 24, 2024. The public comment period has been extended to Sept. 25, 2023.
Immediate Notification Required for Water Outage, Boil Water, Do-Not-Use, and Do-Not-Consume Notices
September 2023–Effective Sept. 1, 2023, Texas Health and Safety Code Subsection 341.033(i)(6) requires non-industrial public water systems (PWS) to immediately notify TCEQ in the event of an unplanned condition that has caused a public water supply outage or the public water supply system to issue a do-not-use advisory, do-not-consume advisory, or boil water notice. This requirement was added during the 88th legislative session by House Bill 3810.
Public Comment and Meeting on the General Permit for the Phase II (Small) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
August 2023—The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the process of renewing the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) general permit for small MS4s, TXR040000, which expires on Jan. 24, 2024.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Primary Clarifier Operations
August 2023 – EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
EPA Issues Compliance Advisory: Tips for Submitting Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)
August 2023 - TCEQ and EPA are continuing efforts to reduce the number of individually permitted Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) facilities in significant noncompliance (SNC).
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Preliminary Wastewater Treatment
July 2023–EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Tuesday, July 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
20th Annual Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) Workshop for Wastewater Systems
July 2023 – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Austin Water, and Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) are presenting the 20th Annual CMOM Workshop at the Austin Convention Center on August 7-8, 2023.
Free Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Compliance Webinars
July 2023 – TCEQ is hosting FREE webinars for underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators to explain UST reporting and record-keeping requirements.
Funding Available for PFAS and Emerging Contaminants
June 2023 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is accepting funding applications through June 7 for wastewater and drinking water projects that reduce exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Developing and Implementing PFAS Monitoring Strategies for NPDES Pretreatment Programs and POTWs
June 2023 – EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, June 22 from noon to 2:00 p.m. CDT.
Deadline to Renew Your Stormwater Construction General Permit Authorization
May 2023 – Currently permitted construction sites with ongoing activities need to renew their stormwater Construction General Permit (CGP) authorization by June 5, 2023, at 8:00 PM CST. Active construction sites that fail to renew by the deadline can receive a violation and potential fines.
TCEQ Public Drinking Water Conference
May 2023 – Please join us in-person or online for this year’s Public Drinking Water Conference on August 8-9, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
TCEQ 2023 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference
May 2023 – Our 2023 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference is May 16-17 at the Austin Convention Center.
Texas Water Development Board Hosts Webinars on Lead Service Line Replacement Program
April 2023 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is hosting a series of webinars on funding assistance for lead service line replacement projects and associated activities related to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Everything You Wanted to Know About PFAS But Were Afraid to Ask
April 2023 – EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on April 12 from noon to 2:00 p.m. CDT.