The Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) for Texas is a waste
treatment plan required under the Texas Water
Code
and
the federal Clean Water Act.
The Water Quality Division updates the WQMP on a quarterly basis
with projected effluent limits that may be used for water quality
planning purposes in Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(TPDES) permit actions. All applications for new and amended
permits are reviewed for conformance with applicable WQMP
recommendations. WQMP updates only involve the elements of the plan
that require modification to account for changing circumstances,
conditions and program requirements. The elements of the WQMP that
typically require revision consist of effluent limits for TPDES
permits, designation of management areas and total maximum daily
loads (TMDL’s). Previously certified and approved water
quality management plans remain in effect.
After a public comment process
and the TCEQ’s certification, the update is submitted to EPA
for approval as an update to the State’s WQMP. Upon EPA
approval, the WQMP update revisions officially become part of the
WQMP for Texas. The process for updating the WQMP is described in
more detail in Series 6 of the Continuing Planning
Process.
