Water Quality: Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries
We establish surface water quality standards for rivers, lakes, and estuaries; monitor and assess their status; and implement pollution control projects to protect or restore natural waterways.
Developing Surface Water Quality Standards
- Surface Water Quality Standards
Establishes explicit goals for the water quality of streams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries throughout the state. - Procedures for Implementing Water Quality Standards in Permitting
Explains how water quality standards are applied to permitted wastewater dischargers.
Monitoring and Assessing Surface Water Quality
- Surface Water Quality Monitoring
Coordinating the collection of physical, chemical, and biological samples from more than 1,800 sites and continuous-monitoring stations in selected watersheds throughout the state. - Clean Rivers Program
Regional water authorities working with the TCEQ for clean water and science-based decisions. - Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality
Describes the status of Texas’ natural waters based on historical data.
Protecting and Restoring Surface Water Quality
- Watershed Action Planning
Coordinating, documenting, and tracking the actions necessary to protect and improve the quality of the state’s streams, lakes, and estuaries. - Targeting Limits: Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program
Improving impaired surface waters by reducing pollution. - Pollution from Runoff: Nonpoint Source Program
Implementing activities that prevent or abate pollution caused by the runoff of small amounts of pollutants from a large number of sources. - Galveston Bay Estuary Program
Balancing economic and human needs with available natural resources in the Galveston Bay watershed. - Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program
Improving the health of the bay system through a voluntary partnership with industry, bay users, local governments, and others. - Clean Water Certification for Boat Sewage
Texas has requirements for marine sanitation devices and boat pump-out stations. See how to obtain or renew certification, what the rules are, and how to report suspected illegal discharges. Add a sentence to this paragraph.
Data and Maps
- Surface Water Quality Data Viewer
Use this viewer to locate monitoring stations and download water quality data. - Surface Water Segment Viewer
Use this viewer to locate water bodies in Texas. - Clean Rivers Program Data Tool
Extract data from the TCEQ’s Surface Water Quality Information System (SWQMIS). - Managing Surface Water Quality Data
Guidance and forms for submitting or requesting water quality data from SWQMIS. - Hydrography Data and Maps
Map-based data viewers. GIS data for classified segments and other hydrology layers.
Statewide Plans
- Watershed Action Planning
Coordinating, documenting, and tracking strategies that protect and restore water quality - Water Quality Management Plan
Planning documents designed to provide long-range planning and technical data for water quality management activities required under the Texas Water Code and the federal Clean Water Act. - Continuing Planning Process for Water Quality
TCEQ’s management and technical procedures to control, manage, and abate water pollution in Texas.