Sewage Sludge and Biosolids: Am I Regulated?

Activities involved in the disposal or beneficial use of sewage sludge and biosolids, water treatment plant residuals, and domestic septage may require obtaining a permit or a registration or notifying TCEQ.

Use the links on this page to help you determine if your activity is regulated by TCEQ and to get more complete information about requirements.

Before applying for a permit or registration, please examine any county or local ordinances on these activities.

Permits, Registrations, and Notifications You Might Need

Find Biosolids and Wastewater Treatment Requirements by Activity

Activity and Link	Details and Definitions
Land apply, process, or dispose of Class B biosolids	Domestic wastewater treatment plants must dispose of the sewage sludge generated during treatment. During that process, the solids—separated from the liquids—are then treated to produce nutrient-rich, primarily organic biosolids.
Land apply domestic septage	Domestic septage is the material pumped from septic tanks and similar wastes—but not chemical toilet waste or grit and grease trap waste.
Land apply or dispose of water treatment residuals	Water treatment residuals are generated during the treatment of surface water or groundwater for potable use.
Produce Class A or Class AB biosolids	This classification of waste has been treated to reduce pathogens and attractiveness to vectors to a greater extent than is achieved in Class B biosolids.

Legal Definitions for Types of Biosolids and Sludge

For the complete legal definitions of Class A, B, or AB biosolids, domestic septage, water treatment residuals, and other activities and terms on this page, see Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Section 312.8

Contact Information

For questions or additional information, contact the Land Application Team of the TCEQ Water Quality Division at P.O. Box 13087, MC-150, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Call (ask for Biosolids program) 512-239-4671 or email biosolids@tceq.texas.gov