Texas Administrative Code › Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Chapter 307 - TEXAS SURFACE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS › Section 307.4 - General Criteria

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) Application.
				The general criteria set forth in this section apply to surface water in the
				state and specifically apply to substances attributed to waste discharges or
				human activities. General criteria do not apply to those instances when surface
				water, as a result of natural phenomena, exhibit characteristics beyond the
				limits established by this section. General criteria are superseded by specific
				exemptions stated in this section or in §
									307.8 of
				this title (relating to the Application of Standards), or by site-specific
				water quality standards for classified segments. Provisions of the general
				criteria remain in effect in mixing zones or below critical low-flow conditions
				unless specifically exempted in §
									307.8 of
				this title.
(b) Aesthetic
				parameters.
(1) Concentrations of taste and
				odor producing substances must not interfere with the production of potable
				water by reasonable water treatment methods, impart unpalatable flavor to food
				fish including shellfish, result in offensive odors arising from the waters, or
				otherwise interfere with the reasonable use of the water in the
				state.
(2) Surface water must be
				essentially free of floating debris and suspended solids that are conducive to
				producing adverse responses in aquatic organisms or putrescible sludge deposits
				or sediment layers that adversely affect benthic biota or any lawful
				uses.
(3) Surface waters must be
				essentially free of settleable solids conducive to changes in flow
				characteristics of stream channels or the untimely filling of surface water in
				the state. This provision does not prohibit dredge and fill activities that are
				permitted in accordance with the Federal Clean Water Act.
(4) Surface waters must be maintained in an
				aesthetically attractive condition.
(5) Waste discharges must not cause
				substantial and persistent changes from ambient conditions of turbidity or
				color.
(6) No foaming or frothing
				of a persistent nature is permissible.
(7) Surface waters must be maintained so that
				oil, grease, or related residue do not produce a visible film or sheen of oil
				or globules of grease on the surface or coat the banks or bottoms of the
				watercourse; or cause toxicity to man, aquatic life, or terrestrial life in
				accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(8) There shall be no discharge of visible
				pre-production plastic. For the purposes of this paragraph, visible means able
				to be seen by the naked eye without special equipment. This prohibition applies
				to individual and general TPDES permit authorizations held by plastic
				manufacturers, formers/molders, and facilities that otherwise handle
				pre-production plastic. Facilities that handle pre-production plastic must
				implement best management practices as defined in §307.3(a)(7) to
				eliminate discharges of visible pre-production plastic in stormwater through
				the implementation of control measures such as the following, where determined
				feasible (list not exclusive): minimizing spills, cleaning up spills promptly
				and thoroughly, sweeping and/or vacuuming thoroughly, and pellet
				capturing.