Greater Trinity Region: Implementing a Plan to Protect Recreational Uses

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

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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.

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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.

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Get Involved

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is working with stakeholders to implement bacteria TMDLs throughout their region.

UPDATENext Meeting

Upper Trinity River Basin Coordinating Committee Meeting
August 16, 2022
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Online via Microsoft Teams

The meeting will cover committee updates and a special presentation from the Texas Stream Team.

This meeting will be held virtually by the North Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). To gain access, please visit the NCTCOG’s Upper Trinity River Basin Coordinating Committee page. If you have specific questions, please email Hannah Allen at HAllen@nctcog.org.

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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.
• 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.
• 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.
  • A 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.
• 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

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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.

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