Wastewater and Stormwater
Types of wastewater and stormwater permits and registrations, and how to apply for them. Permitting requirements. Participating in the permitting process.
STEERS is Temporarily Down
STEERS has been temporarily shut down to ensure all applications related to data centers are reviewed by TCEQ staff in accordance with the Governor’s directive related to data centers dated Sept. 21, 2026. TCEQ is working to modify STEERS functionality to allow staff to review applications before an authorization is issued. TCEQ anticipates that this work will be completed in mid-November.
Due to the STEERS outage:
- TCEQ has granted an extension to the Multi-Sector General Permit TXR050000 (MSGP) renewal deadline. The deadline is extended until Monday, Dec. 28, 2026.
- TCEQ has also issued an episodic waiver for customers who cannot wait for STEERS availability to obtain a new TPDES authorization under the MSGP, Construction General Permit TXR150000 (CGP), or Concrete Production General Permit (TXG110000). This episodic waiver allows facilities to submit permit documents via email at SW-CGP@tceq.texas.gov (CGP), at SW-MSGP@tceq.texas.gov (MSGP), or at WQ-ARPTeam@tceq.texas.gov (TXG11). Forms and instructions can be found in TCEQ’s forms database.
Applying for a Permit
HOT NEW Submitting Applications for Individual Permits - Requirements for submitting applications online, electronically, or in hard copy. Find the public involvement plan form that you must now submit.
Tools for Completing a Wastewater Permit Application - Links to state and federal websites useful to applicants for water quality permits.
Status of Stormwater and Wastewater Applications and Specifications – Check the status of applications for general permits, individual permits, and approval of wastewater system design plans and specifications.
Types of Permits
Available Water Quality General Permits – Discharges of wastewater or stormwater from specific activities may be authorized under a general permit. Descriptions of each activity authorized under a general permit and information on how to apply.
Water Quality Individual Permits - Determine if you might need this type of permit and find information about how to apply. Permits such as agricultural, municipal, industrial and more.
Authorizations for Other Activities
Reclaimed Water – Reusing treated domestic and industrial wastewaters.
Clean Water Certification - Boat sewage
401 Certification - Dredge or fill
On-Site Sewage Facilities (Septic Systems) - Permitting, maintenance, and construction requirements for on-site sewage facilities-including septic systems.
Get Involved
Stakeholder and Advisory Groups – TCEQ relies on input from people who work at the facilities we regulate and the residents and business owners who live and work nearby. Find meetings and results from them for specific permit types.
Pending Permit Applications: Participating in the Process - Find out how you can learn about permit applications, attend public meetings, and submit comments to TCEQ about potential permits.
Additional Resources
Wastewater Pretreatment and Requirements – Removing harmful pollutants before they are discharged to a sewer system under the control of publicly owned treatment works.
Regionalization – Combining two or more community wastewater systems for improved planning, operation, or management. Applicants for domestic permits may need this information.
Cooling Water Intake Structures - Used by some power generation and manufacturing facilities for the withdrawal of cooling water from waters of the United States. Applicants at industrial facilities or water treatment facilities may need this information
Water Quality Permit Maintenance Forms – Use these forms to make changes to your water quality permit or registration.
TCEQ Data and Records – Find information you might need to apply for a permit or maintain one.
Records Needed Most Often for Wastewater Investigations - TCEQ investigators send this document to a plant that is about to undergo a wastewater investigation to ensure availability of records needed to complete the process expeditiously.
Wastewater Permitting Annual Homeland Security Contact Information - Identify your current Homeland Security contacts and provide or update information on your wastewater permit yearly.
Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES)
- What is TPDES? – How TCEQ is authorized to oversee discharge into water of the state and links to the original 1998 memorandum of agreement, and subsequent MOAs with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Contact Information
Phone: 512-239-4671
Email: wqap@tceq.texas.gov