This report describes the status of the state’s waters, as
required by Sections 305(b) and 303(d) of the federal Clean Water
Act 
. It summarizes the status of the
state’s surface waters, including concerns for public health,
fitness for use by aquatic species and other wildlife, and specific
pollutants and their possible sources.
Overview
Recent guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
directs the state to integrate the 305(b) Water Quality Inventory
and 303(d) List for all waters of the state.
Section 305(b) of the act requires states to report the extent
to which water bodies attain designated standards for water
quality.
Section 303(d) of the act requires states to identify water
bodies for which effluent limitations are not stringent enough to
implement water-quality standards.
Summary: 2002 Texas Water Quality Inventory
This summary of the 2002 Texas
Water Quality Inventory describes the status of the state’s
waters based on historical water-quality data.
Water-Body Assessments and Categorization
Assessments are based on five years of data on water quality
collected by the TCEQ and cooperating agencies under approved
quality-assurance guidelines.
Categorization of Water Bodies
One of five categories is assigned to each assessment unit (AU),
or area assessed, to provide more information to the public, EPA,
and internal agency programs about water-quality management. Water
bodies are listed in Categories 1 through 5.
Assessments
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2002 Texas 303(d) List
The 303(d) List consists of water bodies that do not meet
water-quality standards and have been placed in Category 5.
2002 Texas 303(d) List (PDF, October 1, 2002) (Help with PDF)
Note: The 2002 303(d) List was revised
effective August 22, 2003. The list now indicates the Patrick Bayou
portion of the Houston Ship Channel, segment 1006, does not support
the temperature criterion.
2002 Guidance for Assessing Texas Surface and Finished Drinking
Water Quality Data
Public Comment and Participation
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