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 Service Line Inventory Under Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
January 2023 – Community and Nontransient noncommunity water systems affected by the LCRR must conduct a Lead Service Line Inventory of their distribution system.
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
December 2022- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the LCRR on December 16, 2021.
EPA’s Technical Assistance Webinar Series: Providing Process Control Technical Assistance to Small Mechanical Wastewater Treatment Plants
December 2022 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a series of webinars on technical assistance for small wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operators in October 2022. Recordings of each session are now available.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Collection and Lift Station Maintenance
November 2022 - EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Nov. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST.
Online Reporting for Multi-Sector General Permit Facilities: Free Webinar on Using NetDMR
September 2022 – Facilities with a stormwater authorization under the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) must submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) electronically in NetDMR. TCEQ is hosting a free webinar in October on how to use NetDMR to meet monitoring and reporting requirements.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Water Infrastructure Planning
September 2022 - The EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on Sept. 21 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
TCEQ Seeks Stakeholder Input on the Renewal of the General Permit for Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
September 2022 - TCEQ is holding a stakeholder meeting in-person and via webcast September 27, 2022, to discuss the upcoming 2024 renewal. This 5-year general permit – TXR040000 – authorizes the discharge of stormwater from small MS4s and expires on January 24, 2024.
TCEQ hosts the Advanced Air Permitting Seminar
August 2022 - Please join us at the Advanced Air Permitting Seminar on Tuesday, October 18, 2022!
TCEQ Occupational Licensing Exams are Going Paperless!
July 2022 - TCEQ’s Occupational Licensing section has been revising and converting licensing exams from paper to computer-based testing (CBT).
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinars
July 2022 - EPA is conducting free webinars for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on July 14 and Aug. 31, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Free Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Compliance Webinars
July 2022 - TCEQ is hosting FREE webinars for underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators to explain UST reporting and record-keeping requirements.
Funding is Available for the Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP)
June 2022 – TCEQ is currently accepting grant applications to fund construction of fueling facilities that provide natural gas, electric charging, and other alternative fuels.
Now Available: Template for the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan under the Multi-Sector General Permit
June 2022 - TCEQ has published the revised SWP3 template for the 2021 MSGP (TXR050000).
TCEQ Public Drinking Water Conference 2022
May 2022 – Join us in person or online for our FREE Public Drinking Water Conference in Austin on August 9 and 10, 2022.
Industrial and Hazardous Waste Fees Stakeholder Meeting
May 2022 - TCEQ is hosting a stakeholder meeting on industrial and hazardous waste (IHW) fees on May 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. (CDT). You are invited to share your comments about the fees.
Webinars for Water and Wastewater Utility Operators and Leaders
April 2022 - The EPA is hosting free webinars for water and wastewater utility operators and leaders serving tribes and small communities on April 20, April 27, and May 4 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CDT.
Temporary NetDMR Electronic Reporting Waiver for Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) Facilities
March 2022 - TCEQ issued a temporary waiver from submitting discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) electronically for the MSGP (TXR050000). The waiver expires April 1, 2022. Please submit paper DMRs for the sampling results due March 31, 2022.
New Industrial and Hazardous Waste Rules Effective
February 2022 - TCEQ adopted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Industrial and Hazardous Waste (IHW) rules and revised Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Chapter 335.
Oil and Gas Amendment to the Stormwater Construction General Permit
January 2022- TCEQ issued an amendment to the 2018 Construction General Permit (CGP) to apply to certain non-exempt oil and gas construction activities.
Free Technical Assistance Webinars for Small Wastewater Treatment Systems
January 2022 - The EPA is conducting free webinars for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on Jan. 27, Feb. 17, March 31, and April 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Please Register for a Virtual Water and Emergency Management Exercise - Jan. 18, 2022
December 2021 - EPA is hosting a virtual exercise and facilitated discussion on water and emergency management coordination for planning and incident response.
Technical Assistance for Publicly Owned Treatment Works: Free Webinar
November 2021 - The EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on Dec. 16, 2021, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Free Webinars on Developing an Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP)
October 2021 - TCEQ is hosting FREE online workshops to help affected water utilities understand the requirements of Senate Bill 3 (SB3) and EPPs.
Grant Round Open – Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TxVEMP)
October 2021 - TCEQ’s TxVEMP opened the grant round for direct current fast charging (DCFC) and hydrogen dispensing equipment for light-duty zero emission vehicles in Texas.
Texas Water and Power Resilience Workshop
September 2021 - The EPA and TCEQ will conduct a virtual workshop to help drinking water, wastewater, and electric utilities understand how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from power outages.
TCEQ Seeks Stakeholder Input on Upcoming Rulemaking Related to On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSFs) and Occupational Licenses
September 2021 – TCEQ is holding five virtual stakeholder meetings in September and October to present and take comments on rulemaking for on-site sewage facilities and occupational licenses and registrations.
Multi Sector General Permit (TXR050000) Renewal Period Begins
August 2021 - TCEQ issued the new 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) effective August 14, 2021. The 2016 permit expired that same day. The MSGP regulates stormwater discharges from industrial activities.
Free Webinars: Technical Assistance for Publicly Owned Treatment Works
August 2021 – The EPA is conducting free webinars for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) on August 26, September 22, October 21, and November 18, 2021, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
TCEQ Launches Electronic Submittals for the Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Registration Program
August 2021 – You can now submit registrations for both aboveground and underground storage tanks online through the State of Texas Electronic Environmental Reporting System (STEERS).
Multi Sector General Permit (TXR050000) Renewal Process Continues
June 2021 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the final steps of renewing the 2016 Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Multi Sector General Permit (MSGP) TXR050000.