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Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Water Quality General Permit

Requirements and options for the treatment and discharge of process water, storm water, or both from operations that qualify for coverage under General Permit TXG920000.

If any of the following statements are true you must obtain coverage under an individual permit:

Your CAFO is within one mile of coastal natural resource areas.
Your CAFO is a dairy CAFO and in Segment 1226 or 1255 of the Bosque River watershed (which are a major sole-source impairment zone).
Your CAFO is, or will be, in the protection zone of a sole-source surface drinking water supply .
Your CAFO is in an impaired watershed where the total maximum daily load (TMDL) plan requires water quality protection measures more stringent than those required by this general permit.
Your CAFO is required by our executive director to obtain and operate under an individual permit.
Your CAFO has a compliance history rating of “poor.” (See About Compliance Histories.)

If your CAFO qualifies for coverage under this general permit, the steps to follow depend on the status of your facility.

New, Renewing or Expanding?

New – a proposed CAFO facility that has not been constructed or an animal feeding operation (AFO) that expands to become a CAFO applying for coverage under the general permit
Renewing CAFO – an existing facility previously authorized under an individual permit, or the CAFO general permit, and applying for coverage under the general permit
Substantial Change – an existing facility currently authorized under the general permit, proposing to apply for a substantial change to the terms of the nutrient management plan of a large concentrated animal feeding operation under Texas water quality General Permit TXG920000.
Significant Expansion – an existing facility currently authorized under the general permit, proposing to increase waste production by more than 50 percent above the maximum operating capacity stated in the notice of intent during the term of the general permit

Getting A Permit

New CAFO: Obtaining Coverage Under General Permit TXG920000
Steps to qualify and apply for coverage for a new CAFO under this water quality general permit.

Existing CAFO: Obtaining Coverage Under General Permit TXG920000
Steps to qualify and apply for renewal of an existing CAFO under this water quality general permit.

Substantial Change to a CAFO: Obtaining Coverage Under General Permit TXG920000
How to apply for coverage for a Substantial Change on a CAFO under Texas water quality General Permit TXG920000.

Expanded CAFO: Obtaining Coverage Under General Permit TXG920000
How to apply for coverage for a significantly expanded CAFO under Texas water quality General Permit TXG920000.

Water Quality General Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: Do I Qualify?
CAFO definitions, coverage limitations, authorization process for CAFO general permits.