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Top Subjects of Interest: Sanitary Sewer Overflows

An SSO is a type of unauthorized discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater from a collection system or its components (example: a manhole, lift station, or cleanout) before it reaches a wastewater treatment facility.

Prevention

Sanitary Sewer Overflow Initiative
A voluntary program that addresses an increase in the number of overflows. Encourages corrective action before there is harm to human health and safety or the environment.

Funding Sources

Resources for Texas Water and Wastewater Utilities Adobe Acrobat PDF Document
TCEQ publication RG-220 lists resources available to help defray costs associated with upgrading water and wastewater systems.

Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee Exit the TCEQ
TWICC helps water systems facing infrastructure or compliance issues with technical assistance and helps identify state or federal sources of funding that may be available.

Reporting Spills

Unauthorized Discharges and Sanitary Sewer Overflows Adobe Acrobat PDF Document
TCEQ publication RG-395 provides guidance on reporting requirements for unauthorized discharges of wastewater and SSOs.

Emergency Response

Sanitary Sewer Overflows from Hurricane Harvey
Explanation of sanitary sewer overflows due to wastewater facility impacts from Hurricane Harvey.

Report on Hurricane Harvey SSOs Adobe Acrobat PDF Document
This report details SSOs and spills tracked in the counties covered by Governor Abbott’s Disaster Proclamation.