Conventional Water Treatment Plant Discharges: Am I Regulated?

If you operate a conventional Water Treatment Plant and you plan to discharge wastewater into water in the state of Texas or land apply the wastewater adjacent to water in the state, you must have a permit authorization prior to commencing discharge. Find out how your water treatment plant can obtain coverage.

Available Coverage Options

There are two types of permits available for authorizing discharges of wastewater from conventional water treatment plant: An Individual Permit and the Conventional Water Treatment Plant General Permit (TXG640000).

General Permit Coverage

You may qualify for coverage under the Water Treatment Plant General Permit TXG640000 if your facility generates wastewater as a result of conventional water treatment. See if you qualify for this general permit at Obtaining Coverage Under General Permit TXG640000.

NOTE: Effective January 29, 2022, applicants must submit the application forms using the online e-permitting system or request and obtain an electronic reporting waiver. Electronic reporting waivers are not transferable and expire on the same date as the authorization to discharge.

Individual Permit Coverage

You must obtain an individual permit for any discharge released, if you don't qualify for authorization under the general permit or your facility generates wastewater as a result of either of the following:
- Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or any other desalination process.
- Water treatment processes regulated in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code 290.42(g), except ultraviolet light.