Carters Creek Watershed: A TMDL Project for Bacteria
County: Brazos
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Brazos
Segment: 1209C, 1209D, 1209L
- Project Overview (PDF)
- Background and Goals
TMDLs and Implementation Plan for Public Comment- Public Participation
- Reports
- For More Information
Background and Goals
High concentrations of bacteria such as E. coli and fecal coliform, which are naturally found in both human and animal waste, may indicate a health risk to people who swim or wade in the creek—activities called “contact recreation” in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards. Water quality testing has indicated that concentrations of bacteria in Carters and Burton creeks are sometimes higher than the criteria in the Standards.
The watershed of Carters and Burton creeks is in Brazos County, and covers about 57 square miles. Land use in the watershed is heavily urbanized in the upper reach where Carters Creek originates in Bryan/College Station, and becomes more rural in the lower reach. Burton Creek is a tributary to Carters Creek; all of its watershed is urbanized.
The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations to within acceptable levels for contact recreation through development of a TMDL. A TMDL is like a budget for pollutants. It determines the amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still support its designated uses. The load is then allocated among the sources of pollution within the watershed, and measures to reduce pollutant loads are developed as necessary.
A TMDL becomes part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan after it is adopted by the commission and approved by the EPA. Following completion of the TMDL, stakeholders and the TCEQ will work together to develop an implementation plan to reduce bacteria loadings to the creeks.
Return to top TMDLs and Implementation Plan
for Public Comment
The commission requests comments from the public on its proposed:
- Draft Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for the Carters Creek Watershed
- Draft Implementation Plan for Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Carters Creek Watershed
The public comment period ends at midnight, May 28, 2012.
TMDLs must be adopted by the commission and approved by the EPA. When approved, they became part of the state’s Water Quality Management Plan.
The TCEQ will hold a public meeting to receive comments on the draft report. See meeting details in the Public Participation section.
How to Submit Written Comments
Comments not submitted at the public meeting must be provided in writing and submitted to:
Jason Leifester
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Office of Water, Water Quality Planning Division
MC 203
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3087
or faxed to: 512/239-1414.
Or submit your comments electronically at www5.tceq. texas.gov/rules/ecomments.
All comments must be received by midnight, May 28, 2012, and reference either "Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for the Carters Creek Watershed" or "Implementation Plan for Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for Bacteria in the Carters Creek Watershed." Please be sure to specify whether you are commenting on the draft TMDLs or Implementation Plan.
Public Participation
The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) is coordinating public involvement in development of both the TMDL and implementation plan. Stakeholders are meeting as the Carters Creek Coordination Committee. Meeting notices, summaries, and presentations are posted on the TWRI website on the Carters and Burton Creeks Water Quality 
project page.
The TCEQ has scheduled a public meeting to receive comments on the proposed TMDLs and I-Plan:
May 17, 2012
6:30 p.m.
College Station Utilities Meeting and Training Facility
1603 Graham Road
College Station, Texas 77845
Directions:
Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. Open discussion will not occur during the meeting; however, an agency staff member will be available to discuss the matter 30 minutes prior to the meeting and will answer questions before and after the meeting.
People who plan to attend and who have special communication or other accommodation needs should contact us at 512-239-6682. Please make requests for accomodation as far in advance as possible.
Reports
Reports are provided in PDF.
- Technical Support Document for Bacteria TMDLs for the Carters Creek Watershed
For More Information
Please e-mail us at tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and reference the Carters Creek Watersheds TMDLs in the subject line. Or call Jason Leifester at 512-239-6457.
