Water Quality Management Plan

The Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) for Texas is a waste treatment plan required under the Texas Water Code and the federal Clean Water Act . The original WQMP developed by the state and its subsequent updates are collectively referred to as the “State of Texas Water Quality Management Plan.”

The WQMP is used in planning and permitting activities that protect water quality and/or control water quality problems under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). It is tied to the state's assessment of priority water quality problems.

The WQMP is updated quarterly. Several elements may be contained in the WQMP—effluent limitations of wastewater facilities, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), nonpoint source management controls, identification of designated management agencies, and ground water and source water protection planning. Some of these elements may be contained in separate documents that are prepared independently of the WQMP, but may be referenced as needed to address planning for water quality control measures.

All applications for new and amended permits are reviewed for conformance with applicable WQMP recommendations. Updates involve only the elements of the plan that require modification to account for changing circumstances, conditions and program requirements.

The elements of the WQMP that typically require revision are effluent limits for TPDES permits, designation of management areas, service area population for municipal wastewater facilities, and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Previously certified and approved WQMPs remain in effect.

After a public comment process and the TCEQ’s certification, the update is submitted to EPA for approval. Upon EPA approval, the update revisions officially become part of the state WQMP for Texas. The process for updating the WQMP is described in more detail in Series 6 of the Continuing Planning Process.