TPDES Checklist

Guidance and Tips for Preparing
TCEQ Domestic Wastewater Permit Renewal Applications

Mark Palmie and Michael Urrutia

Objective

Provide resources to assist wastewater treatment operators and administrative staff with obtaining information and submitting a TCEQ Domestic Wastewater Permit Renewal Application.

Get Started

Permit Renewal Deadlines and Application Requirements

Permit renewal applications are due 180 days prior to the expiration date (30 Texas Administrative Code §305.65).

  • Permit renewal applications need to request the same Requirements and Conditions as the expiring permit.
  • Verify that no modifications to the wastewater treatment units have taken place since the last permit renewal.

Electronic Copy of Previous Permit Application

TCEQ can provide an electronic copy of the previous permit application and any notice of deficiencies.

Copies of the previous permit application can be obtained by:

  • Search the TCEQ online records database
  • Submit a Public Information Request

Permit records can be obtained at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/agency/data

Tip: Allow approximately two weeks or more for electronic information to be provided.

Forms and Instructions

Domestic Wastewater Permit Application Forms and Instructions

Obtain the most recent updated version of TCEQ forms and instructions.
Recent updated versions of permit application forms and instructions can be obtained at:
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/wastewater/municipal/WQ_Domestic_Wastewater_Permits_Steps.html

The required forms and instructions needed for a wastewater permit renewal application include:

  • Instructions for Completing the Domestic Wastewater Permit Application (TCEQ-10053)
  • Domestic Administrative Report (TCEQ-10053)

    TCEQ Central Registry

    The TCEQ Central Registry provides official core information about regulated facilities. Useful official information needed for a permit renewal application includes:

    • Regulated Entity Number (RN) and facility information
    • Customer Number (CN) and legal name
    • Copy of current permit
      The TCEQ Central Registry can be searched at:
      https://www15.tceq.texas.gov/crpub/
    • Domestic Technical Report (TCEQ-10054)
      TCEQ Geographic Information System (GIS) Data
      TCEQ provides GIS spatial data, maps, and geographic data viewers. Useful GIS data viewers needed for a permit renewal application includes:

      • Water Quality Segments – identify classified stream segment numbers and impaired waterbodies
      • Wastewater Outfall Viewer – Identify discharge point location and latitude and longitude coordinates.
        The TCEQ GIS website is available at:
        https://www.tceq.texas.gov/gis/tceq-geographic-data-viewers
        Tip: The latitude and longitude coordinates for the wastewater treatment units and discharge location can also be verified using Google Maps.
  • Core Data Form (TCEQ-10400)
  • Plain Language Summary (TCEQ-20972)
  • Supplemental Permit Information Form (TCEQ-20971)

Do First Public Notice:

Public Notice

Domestic wastewater permit renewal applications require two rounds of publication in a local newspaper.

  • The Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit (NORI) is the first notice to be published after the application is declared Administratively Complete.

The Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision (NAPD) is the second notice to be published after the technical review is complete and the applicant accepts the draft permit.

Alternative Language Publications

Some applicants are required to publish public notices in an alternative language based on the bilingual education program requirements at the middle school or elementary school nearest to the facility.

TIP: TCEQ has public notice templates available in Spanish that can be used.

Spanish public notice templates are available at:
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/wastewater/review/wqspanish_nori.html

ATTACHMENTS NEEDED

Attachments Required for a Domestic Wastewater Permit Renewal Application

  • Official USGS Topographic Map

United States Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Maps

The USGS provides electronic copies of topographical maps free of charge.

  • Permit renewal applications can include an 8.5 x 11 copy of the most current and original USGS Topographic map(s) that meets the 1:24,000 scale.

USGS electronic topographical maps can be obtained at:
https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program/topographic-maps

  • Site Drawing
  • Process Flow Diagram
    Tips: A process flow diagram can be a simple box with arrows.
  • Supplemental Permit Information Form
  • Plain Language Summary
  • Core Data Form
  • Laboratory Analytical Results
    Pollutant Analysis of Treated Effluent
    Extended sampling and pollutant analysis of wastewater effluent will need to be conducted prior to submitting the wastewater permit renewal application.

     

    • Effluent samples can be collected by the operator with field parameters taken at the time of sampling.
    • The laboratory can fill out the permit application page for the laboratory accreditation information.

    TCEQ has a list of accredited laboratories at the following website: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/agency/qa/env_lab_accreditation.html
    Tip: Allow two weeks or more for sample results to be provided by the accredited laboratory.

Organic Loading Calculations for Domestic Wastewater Permit Renewals

Operators can calculate the proposed organic loading if the organic strength is expected to increase at the wastewater treatment facility.

Tip: 30 TAC 217.32(a)(3) has design organic loading strengths for different sources that contribute to the wastewater treatment facility.

SUBMIT APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY

Submit Permit Applications Electronically to TCEQ

State of Texas Environmental Electronic Reporting System (STEERS):

  • Applicants can fill out municipal wastewater permit applications and submit to TCEQ using the online e-permitting system through STEERS.

Information for online e-permitting through STEERS can be obtained at: https://www3.tceq.texas.gov/steers/

TCEQ File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Server

  • Applicants can submit electronic permit applications using the TCEQ FTP server.
  • If using the FTP site, applicants are still required to submit a hard copy original and send by email.

Information on using the FTP site can be obtained at: https://ftps.tceq.texasv.gov/

Tip: The TCEQ electronic submittal process is being revised. Check the current TCEQ instructions before submitting the application.

FINAL STEPS

Comments from the Applicant on Draft Permit

Applicants will be given the opportunity to review and provide comments on the draft permit.

Before accepting the draft permit, carefully review the entire permit:

  • TCEQ can update “boiler plate” language and requirements in the body of the permit with each permit renewal.
  • Review the Other Requirements section at the end of the permit to make sure the requirements are correct and applicable.

Tip: Use computer software to compare and contrast the old permit with the new permit to identify any changes made.

Check the Status of the Permit Application and Public Comments

The TCEQ Commissioners Integrated Database (CID) can be used to track the status of the permit application and public comments.

The CID can be searched at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/agency/decisions/cc/cc_db.html

Do Second Public Notice:

Public Notice

Domestic wastewater permit renewal applications require two rounds of publication in a local newspaper.

  • The Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit (NORI) is the first notice to be published after the application is declared Administratively Complete.
  • The Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision (NAPD) is the second notice to be published after the technical review is complete and the applicant accepts the draft permit.

Alternative Language Publications

Some applicants are required to publish public notices in an alternative language based on the bilingual education program requirements at the middle school or elementary school nearest to the facility.

TIP: TCEQ has public notice templates available in Spanish that can be used.

Spanish public notice templates are available at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/wastewater/review/wqspanish_nori.html

Conclusion

Providing the necessary information and reducing errors helps speed up the application review, and avoids responding to TCEQ Notice of Deficiencies.

These tips will help with accuracy and ultimately save time during the application process.

  • Answer all of the relevant questions in the permit application. Put NA
    if a question is not applicable.
  • Respond to Notice of Deficiencies right away.
  • Publish public notices and provide proof of publication back to TCEQ promptly.
  • Review the draft permit and provide comments back to TCEQ quickly.
  • Monitor the status of the permit application and public comments on TCEQ Commissioners Integrated Database.