Sewage Sludge: Am I Regulated?
Before dealing with sludge in Texas, consider whether you need to contact the TCEQ:
-
To process or dispose of sewage sludge or apply it to the land, you must first obtain an individual permit. Class B sewage sludge is a classification of sewage sludge based on the levels of disease-causing organisms (pathogens). For a complete legal definition of Class B sewage sludge, see Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Section 312.8
-
To apply domestic septage to the land, you must first register with the TCEQ. Domestic septage is the material pumped from septic tanks and similar wastes—but not chemical toilet waste. For a complete legal definition of domestic septage, see Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Section 312.8
.
-
To apply water treatment sludge to the land, you must first register with the TCEQ. Water treatment sludge is generated during the treatment of surface water or groundwater for potable use. For a complete legal definition of water treatment sludge, see Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Section 312.8
.
-
To apply Class A or Class AB sewage sludge to the land, you must first notify the TCEQ. Class A or Class AB sewage sludge has been treated to reduce pathogens and its attractiveness to vectors to a greater extent than is achieved in Class B sewage sludge. For a complete legal definition of Class A or Class AB sewage sludge, see Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Section 312.8
Contact us if you have questions about any of these requirements.
30 TAC Chapter 312 Biosolids - Stakeholder Meeting Activity
On October 30, 2017, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) hosted a public stakeholder meeting to discuss rule changes to the 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 312 rules. The rulemaking will clarify the intent of existing requirements, remove inconsistencies, and improve readability. All stakeholder comments are listed below.
View Stakeholders Comments
BEN CAMACHO |
BEN CAMACHO ![]() |
---|---|
BRANDT KLUTTS |
BRANDT KLUTTS ![]() |
CECIL BELL |
CECIL BELL ![]() |
CHAD SLEDGE |
CHAD SLEDGE ![]() |
CHRISTOPHER BYRD |
CHRISTOPHER BYRD![]() |
ERIC ALLMON |
ERIC ALLMON![]() |
ERICH BIRCH |
ERICH BIRCH![]() |
REPRESENTATIVE GEANIE MORRISON |
REPRESENTATIVE GEANIE MORRISON![]() |
THE HONORABLE KYLE KUTSCHER |
THE HONORABLE KYLE KUTSCHER![]() |
HELEN GILBERT |
HELEN GILBERT![]() |
JAMES THOMAS |
JAMES THOMAS![]() |
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN KUEMPEL |
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN KUEMPEL![]() |
JOY SCHULTZ |
JOY SCHULTZ![]() |
MACY BEAUCHAMP |
MACY BEAUCHAMP![]() |
TODD MUELLER |
TODD MUELLER![]() |
WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS |
WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS![]() |
WEAT COMMENTS APPENDIX A |
WEAT COMMENTS APPENDIX A![]() |
WEAT COMMENTS ON SUBCHAPTER B |
WEAT COMMENTS ON SUBCHAPTER B![]() |
The TCEQ is currently evaluating these comments and a timeline for the rule proposal will be posted on this webpage in the future.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES RELATING TO CHAPTER 312:
-
Subchapters - All documents in Word format -
Date | Notification | Agenda/Attendees | Summary | Webcast | Handouts (PDF) | Handouts (PPT) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10/30/2017 |
Notification ![]() |
Agenda ![]() |
Meeting Summary ![]() |
Webcast![]() |
Chap 312 Handout ![]() |
Chap 312 presentation ![]() |
*The Webcast video of the stakeholder meeting which took place on October 30, 2017 is available at http://www.texasadmin.com/tx/tceq/water_quality_advisory
If the information you need is not in this table, check our archive of information from all past WQAWG meetings. (Free webcasts provided by TexasAdmin.com.)
FUTURE PROPOSED RULEMAKING DATES (updated: September 20, 2019)
Key points in the proposal rulemaking schedule:Commission Agenda proposal date: | October 9, 2019 |
Anticipated Texas Register publication date: | October 25, 2019 |
Anticipated public hearing date: | November 19, 2019 |
Anticipated public comment period: | October 25, 2019 – November 26, 2019 |
Anticipated adoption date: | March 2020 |
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mr. Brian Sierant of the TCEQ Water Quality Division at P.O. Box 13087, MC-150, Austin, Texas 78711-3087, or electronically at Brian.Sierant@tceq.texas.gov. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mr. Sierant at the email address above or by phone at (512) 239-1375.