Under state and federal law administered by TCEQ and EPA, it is a violation of law to discharge pollutant laden stormwater into waters of the U.S. or State of Texas without a permit and in compliance with the requirements of the Texas Water Code and the federal Clean Water Act. TEXO and its members are launching a voluntary pilot test of a program to comply with both regulations thereby minimizing and/or eliminating the discharge of those pollutants.

The agreement commits TEXO members to work together with state and federal agencies to take steps in the pilot program to prevent stormwater pollution by educating and assisting members who voluntarily join the program. The program consists of an internal audit that each member performs at their construction site(s), an agreement to participate in the program, and an inspection of the site by TEXO’s environmental, safety, and health professionals.

The agreement is similar to other programs in Texas that have or are reducing large amounts of pollutant carrying sediment and thereby reducing the costs of maintenance of our waterways and protecting aquatic life in our streams and rivers.