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Winter Storm Uri: Severe Cold Weather Event Response

Information you may need if you were affected by the February 2021 severe cold weather event.

Red arrow to highlight content TCEQ is conducting an after-action-review to evaluate the factors that impacted so many public water systems during Winter Storm Uri.

Red arrow to highlight content Read an Adobe Acrobat PDF Document op-ed from Executive Director Toby Baker detailing how the winter storm exposed the state's vulnerable water infrastructure.

Red arrow to highlight content Governor Greg Abbott issued a Adobe Acrobat PDF Document disaster declaration.

Red arrow to highlight content TCEQ was committed to responding to the event while also following Department of State Health Services guidance for COVID19Exit the TCEQ.

Red arrow to highlight content TCEQ Toll-Free Numbers

Red arrow to highlight content See video updates from TCEQ’s severe cold weather response

EPA ASPECT Data

See report and maps for ASPECT’s flight on Feb. 28, 2021Exit the TCEQ, in support of the response to the 2021 Winter Storms.

Stationary Monitoring

See the latest information on the Texas air monitoring network and monitoring data.

Handheld Monitoring Data

TCEQ handheld air monitoring for Beaumont and Corpus Christi concluded on March 11, 2021. TCEQ handheld air monitoring for Houston concluded on March 29, 2021.

Beaumont results

Corpus Christi results

Houston results

Combined Results

Van Monitoring Data

TCEQ van monitoring concluded on March 11, 2021, for Beaumont and Corpus Christi, and on March 31, 2021, for Houston.

Beaumont results

Corpus Christi results

Houston results

Temporary Fuel Waiver:

EPA granted TCEQ’s request for temporary fuel waivers for the Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) requirements that apply in 110 Texas counties, and the oxygenated gasoline requirements that apply in El Paso County. These waivers were to address a fuel supply emergency caused by refinery and distribution terminal disruptions resulting from the severe weather event throughout Texas.

Rules Suspensions:

Public Participation Extension Requests:

See how to make an extension request:

Public Water System Guidance:

Boil Water Notices

Boil water notices must be issued when distribution pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch or if disinfection equipment is not functioning properly to maintain the minimum residual (0.2 mg/L free chlorine or 0.5 mg/L chloramines). Should your PWS need to shut down, issue a Boil Water Notice, or issue a precautionary Boil Water Notice, please notify the TCEQ regional office that serves your county and by e-mailing documentation to PWSBWN@tceq.texas.gov. A quick reference guide for issuing a Boil Water Notice is located here: Adobe Acrobat PDF Document Boil Water Notice Guide.

See forms for issuing Boil Water Notices.

Water Haulers

Emergency Funding Sources

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Wastewater Treatment Plant Guidance:

2021 Water Quality Division, Wastewater Permitting Section Staff Contacts for Emergency Response

Title Contact Work Phone Work Cell
Deputy Director David W. Galindo 512-239-0951 512-563-3909
Assistant Deputy Director Erika Crespo 512-239-1827 512-653-7302
Section Manager Gregg Easley 512-239-4485 512-423-6258
Technical Support Louis C. Herrin, III, P.E. 512-239-4552 281-743-2800
512-626-8133
Technical Support Paul Brochi, P.E. 512-239-1372 512-865-1515
Technical Support Baltazar Lucero-Ramirez 512-239-4924 205-901-4641
281-678-6968
Division Main Line 512-239-4671 512-563-3909

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Waste Management Guidance:

  • Questions about Waste Management?
    • For questions regarding when your local weekly trash service will resume and what items will be accepted, contact your local municipality’s solid waste service provider.
    • For questions regarding solid waste permitting; debris management; and municipal, industrial, and hazardous waste management, contact TCEQ’s Waste Permits Division at 512-239-2335 or mswper@tceq.texas.gov for municipal waste questions and ihwper@tceq.texas.gov for industrial and hazardous waste questions.
  • Household Hazardous Waste Guidance
  • Adobe Acrobat PDF Document Managing Debris from Declared Disasters (RG-518) - A lot of debris may be recycled, so before you haul it to the landfill, see what might be recycled in the table at the end of this guidance information.
  • Adobe Acrobat PDF Document Locations of landfills
  • MSW Map Viewer – Locate municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities and find information about them.
  • Hauling Storm-Related Debris to the Curb – Following these specific guidelines will make for a speedier removal process. Check with your local government on what is available to you. Note – the flyers reference a hurricane, but the guidance is relevant for this winter storm event.
  • Adobe Acrobat PDF Document Concerns for authorized facilities (RG-517c)
  • Adobe Acrobat PDF Document Temporary Debris Management form - For local jurisdictions to request a temporary debris management site to manage disaster debris.

Carcasses

Air Permit Guidance:

If your facility has a permit to protect air quality, read the following information after a declared disaster. The guidance will help operators and owners prevent or minimize any increased risk to human health and safety.

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