Water Quality

The Clean Rivers Program of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is a state fee-funded program for water quality monitoring, assessment, and public outreach. It provides citizens the opportunity to approach water quality issues within a watershed or river basin at the local and regional level. River basin authorities in our region include the Sulphur River Basin Authority, Red River Authority , Riverbend Water Resources District, and the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.

TCEQ lists disposal methods for household hazardous waste such as pesticides, paints, cleaners and batteries. Information on how to dispose of used motor oil and oil filters is also available through the TCEQ website. Pet waste can also cause water pollution when it is not disposed of properly. Yard waste and grass clippings can also pollute our waters. These materials can be used as compost.

TCEQ Water Quality Information

• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) homepage
• TCEQ Water Quality Information
• TCEQ Source Water Protection Program
• TCEQ Water Quality Publications
• TCEQ’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) Education
• TCEQ’s NPS Home Page
• Managing Small Domestic Wastewater Systems
• Report to the Governor: 2017 Public Water System Capacity Development Program

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Links and Resources

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Septic Systems General Information
• EPA Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems (long guide) .pdf
• EPA Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems (short guide) .pdf
• EPA Septic System Checklist
• Surf Your Watershed
• Region 6 Water Programs
• EPA’s NPS Outreach Toolbox

Grow Green Materials

• Available in print from ATCOG offices. Please contact Paul Prange at 903.832.8636.

Other Water Quality Links

• Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas
• NEMO – Non-Point Education for Municipal Officials
• Texas Water Resources Institute Watershed Planning
• Texas Water Development Board
• Texas Water Matters
• USGS Water Watch
• Texas Stream Team
• Public Health Service Fee (Water System Fee)

Water Quality Resources for Students and Teachers

• EPA Water Curriculum
• Envirolink Water Quality
• Water Quality Theme Page
• NOS Education Discovery Kits From NOAA
• Children’s Poster: How to Stay Safe in a Flood

Water Quality Management Planning

• Region D Water Plan 2016

Texas Stream Team Support

In 2006 the Ark-Tex Council of Governments received a grant from International Paper Company in the amount of $1,000.00 through the I.P. Giving Program for the purpose of supporting local volunteer water quality monitoring efforts. The funds were utilized to purchase water testing kits and supplies for the local chapter of the Texas Watch, now officially known as the Texas Stream Team, based at Texarkana College and coordinated by Delores McCright, Professor of Biology. All data collected by the volunteers is submitted to Texas State University to be compiled and ultimately provided to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in an effort to more effectively monitor the waterbodies within the State of Texas.

In 2013 and 2015, the Ark-Tex Council of Governments received a total of $4,000.00 from the I.P. Giving Grant Program to further enhance our ability to support and expand the Texas Stream Team Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring activities. As a result, Delores McCright has been able to expand the TST Monitoring Program to include two additional counties within the ATCOG Region and has recruited and trained dozens of additional monitors. These activities are essential in maintaining the quality of our regional waterbodies for future generations.

American Recovery Reinvestment Act Project

This is a water stimulus grant through Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The goal of this project is to strengthen the existing and build new volunteer surface water quality monitoring efforts in the nine-county ATCOG region. The training in water quality monitoring will build on local knowledge, thereby strengthening the ability of ATCOG-area residents to participate in the protection of their water resources. ATCOG will partner with the local chapter of the Texas Stream Team at Texarkana College in this effort. The ARRA 604B funds will allow ATCOG to provide a range of programmatic support tailored to meet the needs of the different groups.

The grant time period is November 2009 through August 2011.

ARRA Project Fact Sheet December 2009

ARRA Project Fact Sheet December 2009
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