Available Water Quality General Permits

The discharge of wastewater and certain types of stormwater into or adjacent to water in the state (HTML) must be authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This authorization may come in the form of an individual discharge permit or a general permit. Seeking authorization under a general permit is generally less time-consuming than authorization under an individual permit and usually requires fewer resources.

The status of general permits that are being renewed or amended will be discussed at quarterly Water Quality Advisory Workgroup meetings, which are open to the public.

HOTUPDATENew TCEQ State-Only Oil and Gas Outer Continental Shelf General Permit No. WQG280000

TCEQ is proposing a new Oil and Gas Outer Continental Shelf General Permit (WQG280000). This general permit will be for state only authority to regulate discharges from oil and gas extraction facilities to the Outer Continental Shelf, between 3 and 10.2 miles of the coastline.

TCEQ does not currently have authority under the NPDES program to regulate discharges greater than 3 miles from the coastline, and separate National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) authority to discharge is required from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under their existing NPDES general permit, GMG290000. Discharges beyond 10.2 miles from the coastline are only required to obtain NPDES authorization from EPA, as the State of Texas does not have authority to regulate discharges beyond 10.2 miles from the coastline. This will remain unchanged.

TCEQ published notice in the Texas Register on Friday, 5/5/2023, and in the Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News on Friday, 5/12/2023.

The 30-day comment period for the proposed general permit will close on June 11, 2023.

• WQG28 Draft Permit
• WQG28 Fact sheet
• WQG28 Public Notice

HOTUPDATENew TPDES Oil and Gas Extraction General Permit No. TXG310000

TCEQ is proposing a new Oil and Gas Extraction General Permit (TXG310000). This general permit will authorize the discharge of wastewater associated with oil and gas extraction activities in the state of Texas.

This new general permit replaces two existing EPA NPDES general permits: TXG260000 (discharges to territorial seas within 3 miles of the coastline), and TXG330000 (discharges from onshore stripper wells and coastal facilities). This general permit will also replace individual discharge authorizations currently required by the Railroad Commission of Texas.

TCEQ published notice in the Texas Register on Friday, 5/5/2023, and in the Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News on Friday, 5/12/2023.

The 30-day comment period for the proposed general permit will close on June 11, 2023.

• TXG31 Draft Permit
• TXG31 Fact sheet
• TXG31 Public Notice

HOTUPDATERenewal of the Construction General Permit No. TXR150000

TCEQ has renewed the TPDES Construction General Permit (CGP), TXR150000 which has been issued with an effective date of March 5, 2023. For more information, please visit the Construction General Permit webpage.

Renewal of the Petroleum Contaminated Water General Permit No. TXG830000

TCEQ is proposing to renew and amend the Petroleum Contaminated Water General Permit TXG830000, which authorizes discharges of water contaminated by petroleum substances into or adjacent to any water in the state. The renewal with amendments would replace the current permit when it expires on September 12, 2023. The TCEQ published notice of the proposed 2023 Petroleum Contaminated Water General Permit in the Texas Register and Houston Chronicle newspaper.

The 30-day comment period for the proposed general permit closed on May 7, 2023.

• TXG83 Draft Permit
• TXG83 Fact sheet
• TXG83 Public Notice

Renewal of the Livestock Manure Compost General Permit No. WQG200000

TCEQ is proposing to renew the Livestock Manure Compost General Permit WQG200000, which authorizes disposal of wastewater generated from livestock manure compost operations by evaporation or beneficial use by irrigation adjacent to water in the state. The renewal with amendments would replace the current permit when it expires on November 10, 2023. The TCEQ published notice of the proposed 2023 Livestock Manure Compost General Permit in the Texas Register, Houston Chronicle newspaper, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper.

The 30-day comment period for the proposed general permit closed on May 7, 2023.

• WQG20 Draft Permit
• WQG20 Fact sheet
• WQG20 Public Notice

Renewal of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit No. TXR040000

TCEQ is proposing to renew and amend the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit TXR040000, which authorizes discharges of stormwater to surface water in the state from small MS4s. The renewal with amendments would replace the current permit when it expires on January 24, 2024.

Renewal with updates to the John Graves Scenic Riverway General Permit No. TXG500000

TCEQ is proposing to renew and update the John Graves Scenic Riverway General Permit TXG500000, which authorizes discharges from certain quarries located in the John Graves Scenic Riverway. The renewal with updates would replace the current permit when it expires on March 29, 2024.

The following Water Quality General Permits are available:

• Conventional Water Treatment Plant General Permit (TXG640000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges from conventional water treatment plants.

• Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) (TXR040000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges of stormwater from certain small MS4s.

• Construction General Permit (TXR150000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges of stormwater from construction activities.

• Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals General Permit (TXG340000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges from petroleum bulk stations and terminals.

• Hydrostatic Test Water General Permit (TXG670000) (HTML), which authorizes the discharge of hydrostatic test waters.

• Petroleum Contaminated Water General Permit (TXG830000) (HTML), which authorizes the discharge of water contaminated by petroleum substances.

• Pesticides General Permit (PGP) TXG870000 (HTML), which authorizes the discharge of pesticides for the control of mosquitoes and other insects, vegetation and algae, animal pests, area-wide pests, and forest-canopy pests.

• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) General Permit (TXG920000) (HTML), which authorizes the discharge of manure, litter, and wastewater into or adjacent to water in the state from CAFOs.

• Livestock Manure Compost General Permit (WQG200000) (HTML), which authorizes the disposal of wastewater generated from livestock manure compost operations by evaporation or irrigation.

• John Graves Scenic Riverway General Permit (TXG500000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges from certain quarries located in the John Graves Scenic Riverway.

• Evaporation Pond General Permit (WQG100000) (HTML), which authorizes wastewater generated by industrial or water treatment facilities to be disposed of by evaporation from surface impoundments adjacent to water in the state.

• Harris County On-site Wastewater General Permit ( TXG530000) , which authorizes the discharge of wastewater from on-site treatment systems connected to single family residences located in Harris County, Texas.

• Aquaculture General Permit (TXG130000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges from aquaculture facilities and certain related activities.

• Multi-Sector General Permit (TXR050000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges of stormwater from certain industrial activities.

• Concrete Batch Plant General Permit (TXG110000) (HTML), which authorizes discharges from ready-mixed concrete plants, concrete products plants, and their associated facilities.

Contact Wastewater program if you have questions.