Sewage Sludge and Biosolids: Permits for Land Application, Processing, or Disposal
Requirements to land-apply or dispose of sewage sludge or biosolids from domestic wastewater treatment plants. Information about transferring this permit. Links to relevant forms, instructions, rules, and information about reporting.
You must get a permit from TCEQ before you process, land apply, or dispose of sewage sludge or biosolids. Before applying for a permit, please examine any possible county or local ordinances on these activities.
On this page:
Transfer Existing Permit – New Operator
If you have an existing permit and have a change of operator, you must submit an application to transfer the permit and get approval.
- Transfer of Ownership Application (TCEQ-20030)
Process, Dispose of, or Incinerate Sewage Sludge or Biosolids
To apply for this permit, complete:
-
Application to Process, Surface Dispose, or Incinerate Sewage Sludge or Biosolids (
TCEQ-00744)
- Application Instructions (TCEQ-00744-inst)
-
Core Data Form (TCEQ-10400)
- Core Data Form Instructions (TCEQ-10400-inst)
- Also see the Core Data Form - Instructions and Guidance webpage
Submit your application and Core Data Form to the address shown in the Application instructions (TCEQ-00744-inst).
New Permit or Major Amendment
In addition to the forms above, if you’re a new applicant or applying for a major amendment to an existing permit you must also complete and submit:
-
A Public Involvement Plan Form (TCEQ-20960)
- Public Involvement Plan Instructions (TCEQ-20960-inst)
Include the public involvement plan with your application.
Spanish Language Templates
If applicable, TCEQ may request that you also submit the following:
- Notice of Receipt of Intent to Obtain a Permit to Process, Surface Dispose, or Incinerate Sewage Sludge or Biosolids (Spanish) - First Notice
- Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision (Spanish) - Second Notice
Land Apply Class B Biosolids for Beneficial Use
If you’re not sure about the classification of your waste, see Sewage Sludge and Biosolids: Am I Regulated? To apply for this permit, complete the following:
- Application for a Permit for Beneficial Land use of Biosolids (TCEQ-10451) (includes instructions)
- Core Data Form (TCEQ-10400)
- Core Data Form Instructions (TCEQ-10400-inst)
- Also see the Core Data Form - Instructions and Guidance webpage
New Permit or Major Amendment
In addition to the forms above, if you’re a new applicant or applying for a major amendment to an existing permit you must also complete and submit:
- A Public Involvement Plan Form (TCEQ-20960)
- Public Involvement Plan Instructions (TCEQ-20960-inst)
Include the public involvement plan with your application.
Spanish Language Templates
If applicable, TCEQ may request that you also submit the following:
- Notice of Receipt of Intent to Obtain a Permit to Apply Class B Biosolids to Land (Spanish) - First Notice
- Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision (Spanish) - Second Notice
Reporting
If you have a permit to land-apply Class B biosolids for beneficial use, you must complete and submit reports quarterly and annually. These forms are only applicable to permittees that land apply Class B biosolids for beneficial use. You can find the required quarterly and annual report form on the last pages of the issued permit.
Annual and Quarterly Reports for Class B Biosolids webpage: Reporting requirements about what to include, deadlines, and where to send reports.
*Updated form coming soon. Contact us if you need a copy of the quarterly or annual reporting form.*
Rules
Find the rules for this regulatory program in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC), Chapter 312 .
Contact Us
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, by phone at 512-239-4671, or by email at biosolids@tceq.texas.gov.