Methods Update Rule for Federal Clean Water Act Analyses

Below is a record of the historical stakeholder involvement in the TCEQ’s implementation of the 2017 Methods Update Rule (MUR). The recommendations of the agency’s MUR work group have been incorporated into the draft Appendix E of the proposed 2022 revisions to the Implementation Procedures on Implementing the Surface Water Quality Standards in Permitting. Any further stakeholder involvement regarding the 2017 MUR recommendations will occur via the Surface Water Quality Standards Advisory Group.

TCEQ's stakeholder meetings and request for stakeholder input on implementing the 2017 Methods Update Rule (MUR) in the Water Quality Division’s permitting programs

The Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated specific changes to test methods that industries and municipalities use to analyze the chemical, physical, and biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples required by the Clean Water Act (August 28, 2017). The MUR resulted in changes in the approved analytical methods and minimum levels included in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 136.

The TCEQ is in the process of implementing this rule in the water quality permit applications and permits and is seeking input from stakeholders. We have updated Appendix E of the Procedures to Implement the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (IPs) to be compliant with the current approved analytical methods and their corresponding minimum levels.

The TCEQ distributed to stakeholders the response to stakeholders’ first round of comments and draft Appendix E on July 16, 2020. The documents were distributed to the WQ-MUR, OutReach, WQS, and WQ-Pret email lists as well as posted online. The second stakeholder comment period ended on August 17, 2020.

In consideration of the comments received, the TCEQ has revised Appendix E as follows: updated the minimum analytical levels (MALs) for certain pollutants, included additional second option MALs where feasible, and added clarifications when needed. The TCEQ offers the following informal response to stakeholder comments received including the updated Appendix E.

Stakeholder Meetings

The most recent meeting was held August 20, 2019.

At this time, the TCEQ will not hold additional stakeholder meetings pertaining only to MUR or the revision of the MALs in Appendix E of the IPs. Stakeholders will instead have the opportunity to provide further comments on Appendix E as part of the pending IPs update process.

Summaries and Handouts

Date	Notices	Agenda + Attendees	Summary	Webcast	Handouts (PDF)	Handouts (PPT)
Aug 20, 2019	Notices	Agenda			Presentation

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Contact the Program

If you have any comments or questions about TCEQ's implementation of the MUR please email Outreach@tceq.texas.gov , and include "MUR" in the subject line or email WQ-MUR@tceq.texas.gov.

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