Greater Trinity Region: Implementing a Plan to Protect Recreational Uses
The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria levels and protect recreational safety in waterways of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The stakeholders and the TCEQ developed total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for several river and lake segments and a regional implementation plan (I-Plan), which together are the road map to improving water quality. The TCEQ has adopted the TMDLs and approved the Implementation Plan.
Watershed Counties: Dallas, Tarrant
Parameter: Bacteria
River Basin: Trinity
Segments: 0805, 0806E, 0822A, 0822B, 0841, 0841B, 0841C, 0841E, 0841F, 0841G, 0841H, 0841J, 0841K, 0841L, 0841M, 0841N, 0841R, 0841T, 0841U, 0841V
Greater Trinity Project Navigation
On This Page:
Overview
Bacteria concentrations are occasionally elevated in portions of the Trinity River that flow through Dallas and Tarrant counties. High bacteria concentrations might pose a risk to people who swim or wade in natural waters. Swimming and wading are called “contact recreation” in the state’s standards for water quality; the term refers to all recreation in which people are likely to swallow natural waters.
Watershed Description
The watersheds for the Greater Trinity River I-Plan encompass an area of 406 square miles. The human population is 1.33 million as of 2013, with a population density of approximately 3,232 people per square mile.
Goal
The goal of this project is to reduce bacteria concentrations and protect recreational safety by implementing total maximum daily loads. A TMDL is like a budget for pollutants—it estimates the amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive from categories of sources and still support its designated uses.
Back to topGet Involved
In all its projects, TCEQ gathers opinions and information from people who represent government, permitted facilities, agriculture, business, environmental, and community and private interests in the watershed. Stakeholders are a key part of developing solutions for the Greater Trinity Region.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is working with stakeholders to implement bacteria TMDLs throughout their region. Check back here for future meetings or on the NCTCOG website shown above.
Status and Activities
Cities in the watershed continue to address bacteria levels in the impaired waterways covered by the Implementation Plan. Highlights from 2021 include:
- Drafted and distributed the annual TMDL Questionnaire to stakeholders regarding I-Plan efforts.
- Hosted and facilitated the TMDL Calculations Virtual Workshop, which had 93 attendees.
- The TMDL Calculations Virtual Workshop recording
is available online, and a copy of the presentation slides
are available under the Workshops header on the NCTCOG website.
- The TMDL Calculations Virtual Workshop recording
- Hosted and facilitated a Virtual Feral Hog Forum, which had 41 attendees.
- The Virtual Feral Hog Forum recording is available online and the presentation slides
are available under the Workshops header on the NCTCOG website.
- The Virtual Feral Hog Forum recording
- Completed multiple projects, including the:
- “What is a Total Maximum Daily Load?” educational video
- On-Site Sewage Facility OSSF Social Media Toolkit
- “What is a Total Maximum Daily Load?” tri-fold brochure
- Door hanger about common wastewater issues and how to protect your pipes for apartment complex residents
- “Septic System Maintenance for Homeowners” educational video
- “Industrial Facilities and MSGPs: What You Need to Know” frequently asked questions
- “What is a Total Maximum Daily Load?” educational video
- Completed the Greater Trinity River Region TMDL Annual Program Summary , which includes information about both current projects and activities completed during the 2021 fiscal year.
- Coordinated two Upper Trinity River Basin Coordinating Committee meetings for watershed coordinators to communicate regarding current activities and ongoing efforts in the NCTCOG region.
- Facilitated meetings with the TMDL Stormwater , Wastewater , and Monitoring Technical Subcommittees to plan and coordinate projects focused on reducing bacteria loading.
- Facilitated the TMDL Coordination Committee meeting to give program updates, discuss upcoming projects, and to share information about an upcoming TMDL addition for North Fork Cottonwood Creek.
More details about the stakeholders' activities are available on the NCTCOG TMDL Project website and in the 2021 Greater Trinity River Region TMDL Annual Program Summary .
Partners
Arlington Conservation Council
City of Arlington
City of Bedford
City of Cockrell Hill
City of Coppell
City of Dallas
City of Euless
City of Fort Worth
City of Grand Prairie
City of Grapevine
City of Irving
City of Keller
City of Kennedale
City of North Richland Hills
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Dallas Downriver Club
Dallas Regional Chamber
Dalworth Soil and Water Conservation District
DFW International Airport
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club
North Texas Tollway Authority
Park Cities Municipal Utility District (MUD)
Southwest Paddler
Tarrant County
Tarrant Regional Water District
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Trinity River Authority (TRA)
Trinity River Environmental Education Society (TREES)
For More Information
Please email tmdl@tceq.texas.gov, and mention the Greater Trinity River plan in the subject line. Or call us at 512-239-6682.
