TSSWCB Receives Over $4 Million to Address Water Pollution in Texas

TEMPLE – The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) recently received a grant of $4,267,393 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant will support TSSWCB’s Texas Nonpoint Source (NPS) Management Program which addresses water pollution caused by water runoff that carries pollutants into rivers, lakes and other waterbodies.

Projects include implementing agricultural components of watershed protection plans for Geronimo and Alligator Creeks, Lampasas River, Cedar Bayou and Double Bayou. In addition, the funds will provide educational and outreach opportunities for landowners through the Texas Well Owner Network Program, Lone Star Healthy Streams Program and the New Landowner education program as well as provide supplemental water quality monitoring in the La Nana Bayou, Geronimo and Alligator Creeks, Petronila and San Fernando Creeks. 

"We're excited to advance our restoration work in impaired watersheds, collaborating with our conservation partners and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts," said Jana Lloyd, TSSWCB Texas NPS Management Grant Coordinator.

The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires States to develop a plan to protect the quality of water resources from the adverse effects of nonpoint source water pollution. NPS pollution is all water pollution that does not originate from regulated point sources. Types of regulated point sources include wastewater treatment facilities, municipal stormwater systems, and concentrated animal feeding operations. NPS pollution occurs when rainfall flows off the land, roads, buildings, and other features of the landscape. This diffuse runoff carries pollutants into drainage ditches, lakes, rivers, wetlands, bays and aquifers.

The Texas NPS Management Program is a comprehensive strategy for addressing nonpoint source pollution across Texas, where assessment has determined that water quality is impaired or threatened. TSSWCB implements the agricultural and silvicultural aspects of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Watershed Protection Plans (WPPs) through assessment, planning, implementation, education and research.