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Edwards Aquifer Protection Program

An overview of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, which regulates activities that have the potential to pollute the Edwards Aquifer, and links to information on Edwards Aquifer protection plans, maps, rules, and technical guidance.

About the Program

The Edwards Aquifer is a home to diverse fauna and is a drinking water source for the city of San Antonio and surrounding central Texas communities. Because it is a karst aquifer, fractures, caves, sinking streams, and sinkholes act as conduits to the aquifer from the surface. While this means that the aquifer recharges quickly after a rain event, it also means that any surface pollution from stormwater runoff or spills will directly impact the water quality of the aquifer, possibly impairing drinking water and affecting the sensitive ecosystem.

The Edwards Aquifer Protection Program was created to protect this precious resource. Visit the Regulatory History of the Edwards Aquifer Web page to learn more about how the program was developed.

Before building on the recharge, transition, or contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer, you must first have your plan reviewed and approved by the TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. Once a plan is approved, the site will be monitored for compliance. To find out more about Edwards Aquifer protection plans, why they are necessary, and who is required to submit them, visit the Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan Web page.

The Edwards Aquifer Program staff conducts an administrative and technical review of all applications. The turnaround time for administrative review can be up to 30 days as outlined in 30 TAC 213.4(e). Generally, administrative completeness is determined during the administrative review or within a few days of receipt. The turnaround time for technical review of an administratively complete Edwards Aquifer application is 90 days as outlined in 30 TAC 213.4(e).

Please know that the review and approval time is directly impacted by the quality and completeness of the initial application that is received.

In order to conduct a timely review, it is imperative that the information provided in an Edwards Aquifer application include final plans, be accurate, complete, and in compliance with 30 TAC 213.

Only portions of the Edwards Aquifer are regulated by TCEQ. To find out if your project is located over a regulated zone of the aquifer, you can use our map viewer. The official boundaries, used in our maps, were drawn using topographic base maps from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan (EAPP) Applications Under Review

Pending EAPP applications listed by county will assist public participation in TCEQ’s review process.

If you are located in Williamson, Travis, or Hays County, call the TCEQ’s Austin Regional Office at (512) 339-2929.
For help in Comal, Bexar, Medina, Uvalde, or Kinney County, call TCEQ’s San Antonio Regional Office at (210) 490-3096.