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Submitting a Water Treatment Plant Recycling Practices Report

Information about which public water systems need to submit a Water Treatment Plant Recycling Practices Report (Recycling Practices Report) and treatment plant schematic, and how to submit them.

Who is required to submit a Recycling Practices Report?

All public water system treatment plants that treat surface water or groundwater under the influence of surface water (GUI) must submit a Recycling Practices Report even if the plant does not recycle filter backwash.

  • If your treatment plant DOES NOT recycle or use conventional or direct filtration at the plant your report must provide:
    • Documentation that the plant is not recycling; or
    • Documentation that the plant uses membrane filtration.
  • If your treatment plant DOES use conventional or direct filtration and recycles one or more regulated streams your report must provide:
    • Detailed information about the recycling practice. Please review below to determine the recycling scenario at your plant.

How do I know if my plant recycles a regulated stream?

The following are regulated streams that you must document:

  • Spent filter backwash water;
  • Thickener supernatant; and/or
  • Liquids from dewatering processes.

Which recycling scenario applies to my treatment plant?

  • Recycling Upstream of the Raw Water Sample Tap: A treatment plant that recycles any regulated stream(s) to a point that incorporates the entire filtration process upstream of the raw water sample tap and coagulant injection point.
  • Recycling Downstream of the Raw Water Sample Tap: A treatment plant that returns any regulated stream(s) downstream of the raw water sample tap. There are two different regulatory options based on the location the stream is returned in relation to the coagulant injection point.
    • Option 1: If the treatment plant recycles downstream of the raw water sample tap but upstream of the coagulant injection point, the public water system must submit the standard operating procedure (SOP) used to conduct a jar test.
    • Option 2: If the treatment plant recycles downstream of the raw water sample tap and downstream of the coagulant injection point, the public water system must request approval from the TCEQ to return the regulated stream to the alternate recycling location.
  • Not Recycling: This scenario applies when a treatment plant is not recycling any of the regulated streams.

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Where do I download the Recycling Practices Report form?

Disclaimer: The file formats were created using Microsoft Office Excel 2012. If you need an accessible format please contact PTRS@tceq.texas.gov.

Where do I submit the completed Recycling Practices Report?

Provide your submittal to TCEQ electronically, or by mail. Submission by both methods is not required. In the cover letter, clearly indicate the best email address to contact for questions. There are no fees associated with this review.

Submit by email to PTRS@tceq.texas.gov for files smaller than 25 MB, and ensure the document(s) meet the requirements below. Emails with attached files larger than 25 MB cannot be received and a confirmation email will not be sent.

  • In Adobe Acrobat PDF format, 
  • a flattened PDF format,
  • all comments and markups must be removed,
  • no password protection, and
  • files are attached to the email and cannot use Dropbox links.

Submit by TCEQ Send for files larger than 25 MB. TCEQ Send has replaced the FTPS (File Transfer Protocol) site previously used. Visit Downloading and Transferring Files for more information about acceptable file types, web browsers, and operating systems.

Submit by mail if it is not possible to submit by the two methods listed above. Mail the complete package to the address below. You may mail files on a flash drive.

Technical Review and Oversight Team (MC 159) 
TCEQ
PO Box 13087 
Austin, TX 78711-3087

When am I required to update my Recycling Practices Report?

If the frequency, duration, flow rate, or volume of a recycled stream changes by 10% or more, or if any changes are made to the plant’s recycling practices, you must submit an updated Recycling Practices Report to the TCEQ within 30 days of implementing the change.

  • Examples of changes in recycling practices may include but are not limited to:
    • A change in location where the recycled stream is returned to the main treatment plant.
    • A reduction in the amount of backwash water due to the installation of air scour facilities.

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How long do I retain my Recycling Practices Report?

Keep your Recycling Practices Report and other records pertaining to site-specific recycling practices for five years after they are no longer in effect, as specified in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC) Section 290.46(f)(3)(C)(iii).

Where can I find more information about reporting requirements?

 

Questions and contact information

Contact PTRS@tceq.texas.gov, 512-239-4691, or by mail. 

Technical Review and Oversight Team (MC 159) 
TCEQ
PO Box 13087 
Austin, TX 78711-3087

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