Storm Water
A Plan to Protect Our Natural Resources
Since August 2007, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required operators of Phase 2 (Small) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) to obtain a permit to discharge their storm water into receiving waterbodies such as rivers, lakes, and streams. These requirements affect most publicly-owned storm sewer systems located within an Urban Area, defined by the 2020 U.S. Census as an area of higher population density. Pecan Grove Municipal Utility District (PGMUD), is located within the Houston Urban Area and operates a public storm sewer system, thus is considered a MS4 by definition and is required to comply with the TCEQ’s permitting regulations.
To simplify compliance for MS4’s such as PGMUD, the TCEQ issued storm water regulations through the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) – General Permit No. TXR0400000. All MS4’s were required to develop a comprehensive program manual called a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) in accordance with the general permit. The TCEQ issued an update to the Phase II MS4 general permit August 15, 2024. The Board of Directors, with support from PGMUD’s Engineer, Odyssey Engineering Group, developed an updated SWMP and submitted a Notice of Intent on February 11, 2025, in order to meet the requirements of the Phase II MS4 update. The SWMP is divided into seven (7) program elements called Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) which are listed below.
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Storm Water Management for New Development and Redevelopment
- Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
- Additional Best Management Practices (BMPs) for waterbodies impaired for bacteria
Each MCM includes BMPs to attempt to reduce pollutants in stormwater. The BMPs are highly effective and cost-efficient activities which aide in preventing storm water pollution. In order to track compliance of the SWMP, PGMUD is required to submit an annual report to the TCEQ. The annual report provides a summary of all BMP’s implemented throughout to course of each permit year. The SWMP and annual reports are available for viewing on the PGMUD website.
Residents in PGMUD have the opportunity to participate in implementing the SWMP. Activities include, but are not limited to: participation in board meetings, completing an MS4 survey, neighbor-hood trash collection, cleaning up pet waste, reporting of illicit discharges, recycling of household wastes (especially plastics, glass, and metals) and the proper disposal of hazardous waste, such as motor oil, paint cans, and fuel (items often thrown away or poured down storm drains). PGMUD also encourages residents to share their own ideas for keeping our waterways pollutant-free.
Look for updates on the progression of these programs in future newsletters, bill inserts and here on our site.