Texas Land Application Permits: An Overview

AMANDA PIRANI, P.G. – WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT TEAMWATER QUALITY DIVISION

OCTOBER 10, 2018AUTUMN ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO

Texas Land Application Permits (TLAP)

No discharge to waters of the state Types of TLAPs

Surface irrigation Subsurface irrigation Subsurface Area Drip Dispersal System (SADDS)

Permit Application Forms

Domestic Wastewater Permit Application, Technical Reports – Form TCEQ-10054 Domestic Worksheet 3.0 – Land Application of Effluent

Domestic Worksheet 3.1 – Surface Land Disposal of Effluent

Domestic Worksheet 3.2 – Subsurface Land Disposal of Effluent

Domestic Worksheet 3.3 – Subsurface Area Drip Dispersal Systems

Instructions for Completing the Domestic Wastewater Permit Application – Form TCEQ-10053ins

Groundwater Impact Evaluations

Groundwater Impact Evaluations

Determine compliance with TCEQ rules and policies Determine whether the proposed land application activities have

the potential to impact groundwater Make recommendations for special provisions to the permit that will

be protective of groundwater quality

Groundwater Impact Evaluations

Two Types of Evaluations Agronomy

Geology

Agronomy Groundwater Impact Evaluations

Agronomy Technical Requirements

Soils Crops Nitrogen requirement of crops Evapotranspiration rates Water balance

Soil

Resources: Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey

Site visit

Crops

Warm and cool season crop Yield goals Use of trees will requires an assessment by a certified arborist

Crop Nitrogen Requirements

Resources AgriLife Extension Natural Resources

Conservation Service

Evapotranspiration

Combined loss of water by evaporation from the soil surface and by transpiration from plants

Resource: Texas Board of Water Engineers, Bulletin 6019: Consumptive Use of Water by Major Crops in Texas

Geology Groundwater Impact Evaluations

Geology Technical Requirements

Water wells Aquifer Groundwater Information Surface water bodies, creeks, seeps, springs Geology Wastewater pond liners

Water Well Resources

Texas Water Development Board Water Data Interactive Texas Commission on Environmental Quality USGS topographic maps Groundwater Conservation Districts Site visit Interview with property owner

Aquifers Designated by the TWDB

Major Aquifers Minor Aquifers

Groundwater

Depth to groundwater Groundwater uses Groundwater quality Well drillers’ logs Well plugging reports

Surface Water Bodies, Creeks, Seeps, Springs

Resources USGS topographic

maps Aerial photographs Site visit

GeologySources Geologic Atlas of

Texas TWDB Water Data

Interactive

Wastewater Pond Liners

Wastewater holding and treatment ponds must be lined in accordance with 30 TAC §217.203 and 30 TAC §309.13(d)

Wastewater pond liners must certified by a Texas-licensed professional engineer

The certification must state that the liner meet the requirements of 30 TAC §217.203 and 30 TAC §309.13(d), if applicable

Groundwater Quality Technical Report

Fully assess the impact of the wastewater disposal system on groundwater quality

Describe geology, groundwater, area wells, pond liners, best management practices such as buffers, wastewater application rate and any other practice designed to protect groundwater quality

Special Note for Subsurface Irrigation

Domestic Worksheet 7.0 – Class V Injection Well Inventory/Authorization Form

Submit this form directly to the UIC Permits Team

Applicable TCEQ Rules

213 – Edwards Aquifer 217 – Design Criteria for Domestic Wastewater Systems 222 – Subsurface Area Drip Dispersal Systems 309 - Domestic Wastewater Effluent Limitation and Plant Siting 311 - Watershed Protection

Contact

TCEQ WATER QUALITY DIVISION(512) 239-4671