Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
TCEQ outlines renewals and reissuances for several general permits including aquaculture and conventional water treatment
Loading...
Summary
TCEQ staff reported on planned renewals, amendments and reissuances for aquaculture, hydrostatic test, evaporation pond, conventional water treatment, and concrete batch general permits and provided adoption/notice timelines where specified.
TCEQ staff provided updates on several general permits administered by the Water Quality Division and outlined timelines and substantive changes under consideration.
Aquaculture general permit (TXG130000): TCEQ proposes to renew and amend the permit that authorizes discharges from aquaculture activities. EPA provided an approval letter for the draft permit package dated May 27, 2025. Significant changes include defining “wastewater” to cover wash‑down water from processing equipment and allowing Level‑5 oyster mariculture facilities to clean system components in or over state waters consistent with House Bill 609. Staff anticipate publishing the notice of proposed permit in the Texas Register and the Houston Chronicle in August.
Hydrostatic test general permit (TXG064464): TCEQ reissued this permit with an effective date of April 5, 2025. Existing permitees were required to submit a new Notice of Intent (NOI) within 90 days of reissuance to maintain coverage; staff warned coverage has lapsed for entities that missed the deadline.
Evaporation pond general permit (WQG1000000): Staff proposed to renew and amend this state‑only permit authorizing wastewater disposal by evaporation adjacent to state water. The draft was published in the Texas Register and the Houston Chronicle; the comment period closed March 10, 2025. Adoption is proposed for the commissioners’ agenda on Aug. 6, 2025.
Conventional water treatment plant general permit (TXG640000): TCEQ proposes renewal and updates. EPA provided approval of the draft package on Dec. 19, 2024. Changes include adding a daily maximum ethanol limitation for discharges and requiring defluorination to less than 0.1 mg/L of residual chlorine prior to discharge when chlorination is used. Adoption is proposed for the commissioners’ agenda on Sept. 10, 2025.
Concrete batch general permit (TXG110000): TCEQ is developing the draft for renewal and amendment of this permit (authorizes ready‑mixed concrete plants and related facilities). The draft is under development; staff are accepting informal comments via the outreach inbox.
Staff urged permittees to monitor the Texas Register notices and agency outreach emails for filing deadlines and public‑notice periods, and to submit NOIs where reissuances require them.
