Upper San Antonio River
Watershed Counties: Bexar, Karnes, Wilson
Parameter: Bacteria
Basin: San Antonio River
Segments: 1910, 1910A, and 1911
On this page:
- Overview and Goals
- Get Involved
- Status
- I-Plan
- TMDLs
- Reports and Other Documents
- Contact the TMDL Program
Overview and Goals
The goal of this current project is to reduce bacteria levels in parts of the San Antonio River, making them safer for recreation. High levels of bacteria may pose a risk to people who swim or wade in them—activities called “contact recreation” in the state's standards for water quality.
The stream segments included in the project are Salado Creek (Segment 1910), Walzem Creek (Segment 1910A), and the Upper San Antonio River (Segment 1911). Texas AgriLife Research and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) are key partners in this project.
Get Involved
In all our projects, we seek opinions and information from stakeholders—people who represent government, permitted facilities, agriculture, business, environmental, and community and private interests in the watershed. Texas AgriLife coordinated with people in the watershed to develop the I-Plan. A coordination committee representing diverse interests developed the plan.
All stakeholders are welcome to get involved in implementing the strategy to improve water quality. Public meetings about the project are open to everyone. Find out more about what it means to participate in TMDL projects.
Status
Tracking of implementation progress allows stakeholders to evaluate actions taken, identify actions that may not be working, and make any changes as necessary.
I-Plan
The TCEQ and Texas AgriLife worked with stakeholders to develop an I-Plan for the project watersheds. The I-Plan will complement the existing watershed protection plan (WPP) for the Upper San Antonio River.
The WPP, which was updated in 2014, was originally developed by SARA in 2007, together with stakeholders, the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and other partners. The WPP was developed to allow early implementation of measures to reduce pollution; environmental improvement targets were based on data and information in the TMDL report.
On April 6, 2016, the commission approved the I-Plan.
- Implementation Plan for Three Total Maximum Daily Loads for Indicator Bacteria in the Upper San Antonio Watershed
- Response to Comments on the I-Plan
TMDLs
The commission adopted the original TMDLs on July 25, 2007. The EPA approved them on September 25, 2007, at which time they became part of the state's Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP).
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Three TMDLs for Bacteria in the San Antonio Area
Segments: 1910, 1910A, and 1911 - Response to Public Comment on the TMDLs
Revisions to the TMDLs
From time to time, it is necessary to revise TMDLs to account for changing conditions in the watershed. Revisions to the load allocations in TMDLs are made via the state’s WQMP, which is updated quarterly. The WQMP provides projected effluent limits for use in planning and permitting activities under the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES). The TCEQ reviews all applications for new and amended permits for conformance with applicable portions of the WQMP, including adopted TMDLs. Revisions are made to TMDLs in one of two ways:
- Updates are made to account for changing conditions in the watershed, such as new or revised wasteload allocations, permits that have been canceled or have expired, or changed facility names.
- Addendums are created to add load allocations for assessment units that are impaired by the same pollutant or condition, within the same watershed as in the original TMDL report.
Learn more about WQMP updates and about opportunities to comment on revisions to them.
Addendums
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Addendum One: Seven TMDLs for Bacteria in the Upper San Antonio River Watershed
Segments: 1910D, 1911B, 1911C, 1911D, and 1911E; Assessment Units: 1910D_01, 1911B_01, 1911C_01, 1911C_02, 1911D_01, 1911D_02, and 1911E_01
April 2016 WQMP Update, Approved by EPA August 9, 2016. -
Addendum Two: One TMDL for Bacteria in Martinez Creek
Segment 1911I, Assessment Unit 1911I_01
October 2019 WQMP Update, Approved by EPA March 11, 2020.
Updates
- July 2022, Appendix VII, pages 30-31
- April 2021, Appendix VII, pages 25-26
- October 2015, Appendix VI, page 15
- April 2015, Appendix V, page 32
- October 2014, Appendix V, page 17
- July 2014, Appendix VI, page 39
- April 2009, Appendix III, pages 18-19
- April 2010, Appendix IV, pages 19-20
WQMP updates may be viewed in person at the TCEQ Library, Building A, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas. Electronic versions of updates published from 2014 through 2020 are available on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission website .
For WQMP updates prior to 2014, use the TRAIL Search engine as outlined below. The main search box on the page will only conduct a simple search with no exclusionary parameters and should not be used.
- First, limit your search to TCEQ only. Do this via the advanced search feature on the left of the page. To limit a search to TCEQ content, enter www.tceq.texas.gov or www.tceq.state.tx.us into the “From the Host” search box.
- Refine your search to narrow down results. The other search boxes on the left of the page allow for search terms to be included, excluded, or used in an exact phrase search. Date ranges can be used as well.
Reports and Other Documents
- Technical Support Document for Seven TMDL Additions, January 2015
- Technical Support Document for Martinez Creek TMDL Addition, July 2019
- BMP Assessment, February 2014
Contact the TMDL Program
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov and mention the Upper San Antonio River Bacteria TMDL in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
