Skip to Content
Questions or Comments: standards@tceq.texas.gov

2010 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards

This page provides information about the 2010 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards and information on effective dates and provisions.

TCEQ Adopted 2010 Revisions to the Standards

On June 30, 2010, the Commissioners adopted revisions to the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards, as codified by rule in Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 30, Chapter 307. The 2010 Standards became effective as a state rule on July 22, 2010.

TCEQ submitted the 2010 Standards revisions and supporting documentation to EPA for review and approval on August 4, 2010. EPA provides notice to TCEQ whenever it approves or takes other actions on portions of the revised standards. EPA must approve the 2010 Standards before TCEQ may use them for federal permitting programs and other Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes.

TCEQ uses provisions from the 1997 and subsequent revisions of the Standards in administering its federal permitting programs, depending on which provisions from each revision year EPA has approved. A webpage for each Standards revision year describes what actions EPA has taken for that revision and what items are still pending. If EPA either disapproves or is still reviewing a portion of the Standards, the language of the prior revision year remains in effect for CWA purposes.

Back to the top of the page Back to top

2010 Standards Background Information

Back to the top of the page Back to top

EPA Review of the 2010 Standards

EPA finalized its fourth round of approvals and disapprovals of the 2010 Standards in an action letter dated November 2, 2018. This letter primarily covers EPA approvals of the 2018 revision to the Standards, but it also includes approval of the temperature criteria for Segment 0410, Black Cypress Bayou, which was added during the 2010 revision of the Standards.

EPA is still reviewing the following revisions to Appendix A regarding site-specific criteria for classified segments: revised temperature criteria for two segments (1811 and 1814) and revised dissolved minerals criteria for 19 segments (0307, 0410, 0507, 0803, 0812, 0821, 1206, 1227, 1238, 1240, 1241, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1421, 1426, 1433, 2106, and 2116).

A highlighted version of the 2010 Standards rule language provided below clarifies on which sections of the standards EPA has taken actions described in its the four action letters. A key at the beginning of the highlighted rule specifies those provisions of the 2010 Standards that EPA has approved and disapproved, and on which it has  taken no action or is still reviewing. The highlighted rule will be updated after each EPA action letter is received.

Back to the top of the page Back to top

The 2010 Standards and Associated Documents

Back to the top of the page Back to top

Staff Contacts

For more information or to suggest topics for meetings, please email standards@tceq.texas.gov, call the Water Quality Planning Division at 512-239-6682, or mail to TCEQ, Water Quality Planning Division, MC-234, PO Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087.

Back to the top of the page Back to top