The Advocate
The Advocate is a periodic update on TCEQ rules, including information about compliance issues and regulatory concerns that affect small businesses and local governments. It’s produced by the TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance Section.
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions: Virtual Engagements
April 2021 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be hosting virtual public listening sessions on Lead & Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) so that communities and stakeholders may provide their perspectives on protections from lead in drinking water.
Free Webinars: Wastewater Compliance Solutions and Biosolids
March 2021 – The EPA is conducting free webinars for wastewater treatment plant owners and operators on March 25, April 29, and May 27, from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST.
Industrial Hazardous Waste (IHW) Annual Waste Summary Reporting
Feb. 2021 - Due to the February 2021 severe cold weather event, TCEQ will be offering enforcement discretion for all electronic 2020 Annual Waste Summary reports (as specified in Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Section 335.9(a)(2)(B)) that are due March 1, 2021.
Free Webinar: Operating a WWTP Laboratory
Feb. 2021 – The EPA is conducting a free webinar for wastewater treatment plant owners and operators on February 24, 2021, from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST.
Public Comment and Meeting for the Multi Sector General Permit, TXR050000
Dec. 2020 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the process of renewing the 2016 Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Multi Sector General Permit (MSGP) TXR050000, which expires on August 14, 2021.
Webinar on the Transient Noncommunity Notebook is Now Available
Dec. 2020 – TNC Notebook Webinar Now Online
Oil and Gas Discharge Delegation Stakeholder Meeting
Dec. 2020 – You are invited to a stakeholder meeting to discuss TCEQ’s activities and schedule for implementing House Bill (HB) 2771 (86th Legislature, 2019).
Free Webinars: Wastewater Treatment Microbiology and Sampling
Nov. 2020 – The EPA is conducting free webinars for wastewater treatment plant owners and operators on November 17, December 8, and January 27, from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST.
EPA Issues Compliance Advisory for Significant Non-Compliance Dischargers
Oct. 2020 – The EPA and TCEQ are increasing attention to individually permitted Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) facilities in significant non-compliance (SNC).
TCEQ Seeks Input on Public Notice and Participation Requirements
October 2020 – TCEQ will hold virtual stakeholder meetings for rulemaking on alternative language public participation requirements
Clarification on Requirements for New Dispenser and Under-Dispenser Containment Areas
Sept. 2020 – Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements apply to Underground Storage Tank (UST) facilities that install or replace dispensers to comply with Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) protection on card readers.
Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Now Accepting Applications for Level 2 Charging Equipment for Light-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles!
Sept. 2020 - The Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP) is now accepting applications for the purchase and installation of Level 2 charging equipment for light-duty zero emission vehicles in the State of Texas.
New Standard Permit Registration Form for Concrete Batch Plants
Aug. 2020 – TCEQ has a New Standard Permit Registration Form for Concrete Batch Plants
Temporary Waiver for Electronic Reporting of Unauthorized Discharges and Unanticipated Bypasses
August 2020 – TCEQ is issuing a temporary waiver for electronic submissions of the written reports for unauthorized discharges and unanticipated bypasses until December 21, 2023.
Free Webinars: Technical Assistance for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)
August 2020 – The EPA is conducting free webinars on August 18, September 15, and October 20, 2020, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Industrial and Hazardous Waste Rule Updates
July 2020- An industrial and hazardous waste rule project became effective June 11, 2020.
TCEQ to Host 2020 Public Drinking Water Virtual Conference
July 2020 – Registration is now open for the FREE 2020 Public Drinking Water Virtual Conference.
Free Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Compliance Webinars
July 2020 - TCEQ is hosting FREE webinars for underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators to explain UST reporting and record-keeping requirements.
Free Webinar: Discharge Monitoring Reports - Avoiding Common Mistakes
July 2020 – EPA is conducting a free webinar on reporting for small wastewater treatment systems on July 15, 2020, from noon to 3:00 p.m.
EPA Clarifies New Testing Requirements for Certain Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Facilities
May 2020 – Testing Requirements for Spill Prevention Equipment and Containment Sumps Used for Interstitial Monitoring of Piping
TCEQ’s New PST rules go into effect January 1, 2021
May 2020 – Certain regulations from the May 2018 TCEQ Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) rules will go into effect starting January 1, 2021.
Free Webinars: Asset Management and Technical Assistance for Wastewater and Public Water Systems
April 2020 – The EPA is conducting free webinars on April 15, May 13, and June 17, 2020, from noon to 2:00 p.m. CST.
Free Compliance Workshops for Transient Noncommunity Public Water Systems
March 2020 - TCEQ is offering a FREE workshop for owners and operators of transient noncommunity (TNC) public water systems (PWS).
TCEQ Approves Publication of Proposed Rule for the Aggregate Production Operation Registration Program
February 2020 – On February 12, 2020, TCEQ commissioners approved publication of the proposed rule for the Aggregate Production Operation (APO) Registration Program.
TCEQ Accepting Nominations for Water Utility Occupational Licensing Advisory Committee Members for Fiscal Year 2021
February 2020 – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is currently accepting applications and nominations for appointment to the TCEQ Water Utility Occupational Licensing Advisory Committee (the Committee). TCEQ is seeking a total of seven new members to serve on the Committee beginning on September 1, 2020, for a four-year term.
Free Webinars: Optimizing Performance of Wastewater Lagoon Systems
February 2020 – The EPA is conducting free webinars on February 19 and March 18, 2020, from noon to 2:00 p.m. CST.
TCEQ Proposes Amendments to Landscape Irrigation Rules
January 2020 – On January 15, 2020, TCEQ commissioners approved the publication of proposed rule revisions to 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 344, Landscape Irrigation.
Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) TXR050000, NetDMR Electronic Reporting Temporary Waiver Issued
March 2019 – If you currently have an active stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) TXR050000 authorization, please be aware that although the MSGP states that effective Dec. 21, 2016, all discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) must be submitted electronically using the online NetDMR reporting system, this option is not available at this time.
EPA’s New NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule Now Final
November 2015 - On Sept. 24, 2015, the EPA signed the final rule which requires NPDES regulated entities to electronically submit specific permit and compliance monitoring information instead of filing paper reports.