Texas Surface Water Quality Standards Update Joe Martin

Texas Surface Water Quality Standards Update Joe Martin. Work Leader Water Quality Standards Work Leader

Water Quality Standards • The Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (Title 30, Chapter 307 of the Texas Administrative Code) describe the chemical, physical, and biological conditions to be attained in the surface waters of Texas. • Authority for adopting and revising water quality standards is contained in § 26. 023 of the Texas Water Code (TWC), and in § 303(c) of the Federal Clean Water Act.

Types of Actions by EPA • Approved - available for use in all Clean Water Act (CWA) activities – permitting, assessment, TMDL – Conditional approval - subject to completion of consultation with USFWS under Endangered Species Act • Disapproved - not available for use in CWA activities • No action - not considered water quality standards under the CWA • Under review

2010 Standards Under Review • Appendix A – Temperature criteria for 3 segments (Guadalupe and Cypress Creek Basins) – Dissolved minerals criteria for 19 segments

2014 Revision: EPA Action • EPA Action Letter – September 23, 2014 • Action letters posted on TCEQ Website • Highlighted 2014 rule indicates status of approval

Approvals – Human Health Criteria – Bacteria • Removal fecal coliform – Appendix A (Site-specific Uses and Criteria for Classified Segments) • Public Water Supply removal from Segment 1110 – Oyster Creek Above Tidal • Uses and criterion for Segment 1258 – Middle Oyster Creek and Segment 1259 – Leon River Above Belton Lake – Appendix B (Sole source surface drinking water supplies)

Approvals – Appendix C (Segment descriptions) • Boundary changes and clarifications for 8 segments – Appendix D (Site-specific Uses and Criteria for Unclassified Water Bodies) • Corrections and non-substantive changes for 10 water bodies • Footnote for unclassified portion of Lavaca River in Segment 1602 – Lavaca River Above Tidal – Appendix E (Site-specific toxic criteria)

Approvals – Appendix G (Site-specific Recreational Uses and Criteria for Unclassified Water Bodies) • Addition of 8 water bodies – Temperature • Definition of “industrial cooling water area” • Designation of industrial cooling water areas in 307. 4(f) • Allowance for alternate sized mixing zones for separate constituents at a single discharge point

No Action – 2014 WQS • Removal of standards previously disapproved by EPA – Mercury – High-flow exemption – Deferment of listings – Nutrient criteria for 36 reservoirs

2014 Revision: Next Steps • Remaining portions are still under review • Provisions must be approved by EPA to be used in Clean Water Act activities like wastewater permitting and assessment

2017 Revision • Preliminary comment: March 6, 2015 – 30 day public comment period • Stakeholder meetings: Winter and spring 2016 • Proposal: Late spring 2017 • 45 day public comment period • Public hearing: June 2017 • Adoption: Fall 2017

2017 Revision • Update selected toxic criteria for both human-health and aquatic-life protection • Incorporate results of recreational useattainability studies for the development of site-specific bacteria criteria in Appendix G of § 307. 10 • Incorporate results of use-attainability studies for the development of site-specific aquatic life uses and dissolved oxygen criteria in Appendices A and D of § 307. 10

2017 Revision • Incorporate results of water-effect ratio studies for the development of site-specific toxic criteria in Appendix E of § 307. 10 • Review provisions to consider pending changes in EPA's national regulation on water quality standards, such as antidegradation review policies, temporary variances, and temporary standards • Review BEACH Act recommendations and how they apply to the Texas coast

Questions Joe Martin joe. martin@tceq. texas. gov (512) 239 -3163