Spills: Rules and Laws

Reportable Quantities

What is an RQ?

Other Rules and Laws about Spills

Requirement	Authority
The TCEQ is the lead agency in spill response	Texas Water Code 26 PDF   WORD Sections 261–64
A spill must be reported as soon as possible and within 24 hours by phone to the TCEQ; reporting requirements to property owners and others affected; spill response; required follow-up report	30 TAC 327.1–5
Interim and permitted facilities must report emergency situations to the TCEQ	30 TAC 335.113, 335.153
Releases from underground storage tanks must be reported	30 TAC 334.72
Any major upset condition must be reported	30 TAC 327.1–5
Related requirements	Texas Health and Safety Code 382 PDF   WORD   30 TAC 101.201
Reports required for maintenance activities	30 TAC 101.211
Accidental spills and releases must be reported to the TCEQ	Texas Water Code 26 PDF   WORD   Section 039
Related policy	Sections 261–67
Posting of warning signs	What to Do after a Spill
The TCEQ is to seek reimbursement of state funds spent on cleanup from responsible persons	Texas Water Code 26 PDF   WORD Sections 266–67
Federal definition of reportable spill	40 CFR 302.6
The Texas Department of State Health Services receives reports on storage of chemicals (Tier Two forms)	40 CFR 370
Definition of industrial solid waste	30 TAC 335.1
Related policy (definition of hazardous waste)	40 CFR 261
Self-assigned eight-digit waste code: when needed, how to assign	30 TAC 335.501–15, 521
Regulation of soil-treatment and recycling facilities	30 TAC 334.485–508
Health-based cleanup standards; guidance on recording of deeds	30 TAC 350
Need for contingency planning (only for permitted and interim facilities for storing, treating, and disposing of hazardous waste)	30 TAC 335.112, 152
Texas Risk Reduction Program rule	30 TAC 350
Makeup of the State Emergency Response Commission	Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act

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