Oil and Gas Wastewater Permits
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Permitting Authority
Currently, the TCEQ has state and federal jurisdiction over wastewater discharges into water in the state resulting from crude oil or natural gas exploration, development, or production.
The Railroad Commission of Texas
(RRC) retains jurisdiction for disposal of wastewater from oil and gas activities via land application (reuse, such as dust suppression and impoundment maintenance; evaporation; or irrigation).
For facilities located in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) retains federal jurisdiction and the TCEQ has state jurisdiction.
Back to topHouse Bill 2771
TCEQ requested authority from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue federal permits for produced water, hydrostatic test water, and gas plant effluent discharges resulting from certain oil and gas activities into water in the state as required by House Bill (HB) 2771, 86th Legislature 2019. EPA approved the request effective January 15, 2021. The authority for these discharges has been transferred to the TCEQ from the EPA and the Railroad Commission (RRC) of Texas.
Permits for Oil and Gas Facilities
- In development: Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) General Permit TXG310000.
- In development: Outer Continental General Permit WQG280000
- Available: Hydrostatic Test General Permit TXG670000
- Available: Application forms for individual permits are available through the following link to the TCEQ webpage on Individual Permits.
How to apply for TCEQ’s general permits
Please visit the STEERS Support Page for guides on creating an account and submitting NOIs for permit authorization.
Oil and Gas Stakeholder Group
If you are interested in the implementation of HB 2771, please see TCEQ's webpage for the oil and gas stakeholder group, which is open to the public.
To be added to the stakeholder list for future meetings and correspondence about this bill, or if you have other comments or questions, please email HB2771@tceq.texas.gov.
Additional Information
- Regulation of Oil and Gas Activities
- Oil and Gas Facilities: Water Compliance Information
- Oil and Gas Facilities: Wastewater Compliance Assistance
Contact Us
For questions or comments about HB 2771 or oil and gas wastewater permits, contact us at HB2771@tceq.texas.gov.
TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance Section offers free, confidential help to small businesses and local governments working to comply with state environmental regulations. Call us at (800) 447-2827 or visit TexasEnviroHelp.