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.
EPA Announces Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)
December 2023—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the proposed LCRI on Nov. 30, 2023.
TCEQ Seeks Stakeholder Input on Upcoming Rulemaking Related to On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSFs)
December 2023—TCEQ is holding seven stakeholder meetings from December 2023 to March 2024 to present and take comments on rulemaking for OSSFs.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Wipes in Collection Systems
October 2023—EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Nov. 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar—Fats, Oils, and Grease: What We Know After 23 Years of FOG Work
October 2023—EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Oct. 12th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
TCEQ Hosts the Water Quality/Stormwater Seminar
September 2023—Please join us at the Water Quality/Stormwater Seminar on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023!
Drought Response for Public Water Systems
September 2023—Extreme drought conditions have returned to Texas, and dry conditions are predicted to continue or worsen for the state. Public water systems may start to see a strain on their water supplies. TCEQ is encouraging public water systems to take reasonable measures to increase conservation efforts and identify and secure alternative water supplies to meet water needs.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Mathematical Fundamentals
September 2023—EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Sept. 21st from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CDT.
Update: Meeting and Extended Public Comment on the General Permit for the Phase II (Small) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
September 2023—The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the process of renewing the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) general permit for small MS4s, TXR040000, which expires on Jan. 24, 2024. The public comment period has been extended to Sept. 25, 2023.
Immediate Notification Required for Water Outage, Boil Water, Do-Not-Use, and Do-Not-Consume Notices
September 2023–Effective Sept. 1, 2023, Texas Health and Safety Code Subsection 341.033(i)(6) requires non-industrial public water systems (PWS) to immediately notify TCEQ in the event of an unplanned condition that has caused a public water supply outage or the public water supply system to issue a do-not-use advisory, do-not-consume advisory, or boil water notice. This requirement was added during the 88th legislative session by House Bill 3810.
Public Comment and Meeting on the General Permit for the Phase II (Small) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s)
August 2023—The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the process of renewing the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) general permit for small MS4s, TXR040000, which expires on Jan. 24, 2024.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Primary Clarifier Operations
August 2023 – EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
EPA Issues Compliance Advisory: Tips for Submitting Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)
August 2023 - TCEQ and EPA are continuing efforts to reduce the number of individually permitted Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) facilities in significant noncompliance (SNC).
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Preliminary Wastewater Treatment
July 2023–EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Tuesday, July 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
20th Annual Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) Workshop for Wastewater Systems
July 2023 – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Austin Water, and Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) are presenting the 20th Annual CMOM Workshop at the Austin Convention Center on August 7-8, 2023.
Free Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Compliance Webinars
July 2023 – TCEQ is hosting FREE webinars for underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators to explain UST reporting and record-keeping requirements.
Funding Available for PFAS and Emerging Contaminants
June 2023 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is accepting funding applications through June 7 for wastewater and drinking water projects that reduce exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Developing and Implementing PFAS Monitoring Strategies for NPDES Pretreatment Programs and POTWs
June 2023 – EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on Thursday, June 22 from noon to 2:00 p.m. CDT.
Deadline to Renew Your Stormwater Construction General Permit Authorization
May 2023 – Currently permitted construction sites with ongoing activities need to renew their stormwater Construction General Permit (CGP) authorization by June 5, 2023, at 8:00 PM CST. Active construction sites that fail to renew by the deadline can receive a violation and potential fines.
TCEQ Public Drinking Water Conference
May 2023 – Please join us in-person or online for this year’s Public Drinking Water Conference on August 8-9, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
TCEQ 2023 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference
May 2023 – Our 2023 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference is May 16-17 at the Austin Convention Center.
Texas Water Development Board Hosts Webinars on Lead Service Line Replacement Program
April 2023 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is hosting a series of webinars on funding assistance for lead service line replacement projects and associated activities related to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines.
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Everything You Wanted to Know About PFAS But Were Afraid to Ask
April 2023 – EPA is conducting a free webinar for owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on April 12 from noon to 2:00 p.m. CDT.
Funding is Available for Lead Service Line Inventories and Replacements
March 2023 – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is accepting applications for funding Lead Service Line Replacement projects and activities directly related to identifying, planning, and replacing lead service lines. This funding is part of the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
EPA’s Free Technical Assistance Webinar: Applying Principles of Asset Management to Lead Service Line Inventories
March 2023 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a FREE webinar on March 27th from noon to 1:30 p.m. CDT.
Renew Your Stormwater Construction General Permit (TXR150000) Authorization Starting March 5, 2023
March 2023 - Effective March 5, 2023, currently permitted construction sites with ongoing activities have 90 days to renew their Construction General Permit (CGP) authorization. The 90-day grace period ends on June 5, 2023, at 8:00 PM CST. Determine what actions you may need to take for your construction project.
Upcoming Deadline for MSGP Facilities to Report in NetDMR
March 2023 – Multi-Sector General Permit facilities must submit electronic Discharge Monitoring Reports of all required monitoring results by March 31, 2023.
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.