What is the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System?

 

In 1987, Congress amended the Clean Water Act to require a comprehensive nationwide program for addressing polluted stormwater. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is the resulting program. The state assumed the authority to administer the NPDES program in Texas and the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) is the resulting program.

What does the TPDES permit require of the City of Allen?

 

The City of Allen filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in January 2008. The program is currently under review by the state.

 

The City of Allen will develop, implement, and enforce a storm water management program (SWMP) to:

 

    * Reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent possible

    * Protect water quality

    * Satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act

 

What Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) will the City of Allen's program include?

 

Per the TCEQ TPDES General Permit Number TXR040000, the Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) must provide a listing and description of best management practices (BMPs) developed to prevent storm water pollution to the maximum extent practicable. BMPs are required to be developed to satisfy six storm water quality minimum control measures.

 

 

1. Public Education and Outreach on Storm Water Impacts

2. Public Involvement/Participation

3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control

5. Post-Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment

6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operators

 

 

Where does the City of Allen stand today with Respect to the TPDES Phase II permit?

 

The City of Allen has sent the Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) and NOI to the TCEQ for review. Several conditions in the SWMP are already requirements that the City of Allen has in place for development (e.g., erosion control plan as a part of construction plans). Please see the following link for details of our program:

 

The City of Allen TPDES Permit Application

How will all of this be Financed?

 

    * Drainage Utility Fund

    * Builders and Developers will pay an intangible cost for increased BMP related to construction

    * The costs will become more clear and precise based on the final requirements by TCEQ