Summary of Texas' Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Industry
This page is part of the EPA’s REUSExplorer tool, which summarizes the different state level regulations or guidelines for water reuse for a variety of sources and end-uses.
The source water for this summary is Treated Municipal Wastewater.
On this page:
- Technical basis
- Water reuse industrial applications approved for use in Texas
- Water reuse treatment category for industrial applications
- Additional context and definitions
- Water reuse for industrial applications specifications (table)
- Upcoming state law or policy
- References
- Disclaimer
This page is a summary of the state’s water reuse law or policy and is provided for informational purposes only. Please always refer to the state for the most accurate and updated information.
In Texas, water reuse for industryThe use of recycled water for industrial applications, often created at the industrial facility. This includes recycled water generated through onsite processes such as boiler water, cooling water, manufacturing water, and oil and gas production, as well as recycled water generated offsite and imported elsewhere for industrial reuse applications. includes reuse for certain types of condensate, washwater from whole fruits and vegetables, certain types of cooling water, water treatment filter backwash, water from routine external washing of buildings, water from routine washing of pavements, cooling tower blowdown and wastewater with measured effluent concentrations at or below various thresholds. The source of water treated municipal wastewaterTreated wastewater effluent discharged from a centralized wastewater treatment plant of any size. Other terms referring to this source of water include domestic wastewater, treated wastewater effluent, reclaimed water, and treated sewage. is specified by the state as municipal wastewater. The write-up on this page uses state terms when discussing sources or uses of water that may differ from the Regulations and End-Use Specifications Explorer’s (REUSExplorer’s) terms.
Technical basis
Texas authorizes the use of reclaimed water for industrial reuse applications including as cooling tower makeup water (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.51-60). All applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.), including its implementing regulations, must be met in addition to any state water quality standards. Treatment requirements and performance standards are applied for the removal of microbial contaminants, chemicals and other relevant indicators and are summarized in the table. Producers, providers and users of industrial reclaimed water are eligible for Level I or Level II authorization as described in 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.53. The technical basis for developing the specifications and/or removals of microbial contaminants, chemicals and other relevant indicators is not explicitly specified. However, Texas states that “these requirements are intended to allow the safe utilization of reclaimed water for conservation of surface water and groundwater, to ensure the protection of public health, to protect surface water and groundwater from contamination, and to help ensure an adequate supply of water resources for present and future needs” [30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.51(a)].
Water reuse industrial applications approved for use in Texas
A producer is eligible for Level I authorization if the producer uses any of the following wastes on-site and has a primary disposal method as an alternative to reuse and an end use listed in 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.56(b)(2):
- Air conditioner condensate; compressor condensate; steam condensate; or condensate that forms externally on steam lines and is not process wastewater;
- Washwater from washing whole fruits and vegetables;
- Non-contact cooling water;
- Once through cooling water;
- Water treatment filter backwash;
- Water from routine external washing of buildings, conducted without the use of detergents or other chemicals;
- Water from routine washing of pavement conducted with the use of detergents or other chemicals and where spills or leaks of toxics or hazardous wastes have not occurred (unless spilled material has been removed);
- Cooling tower blowdown with a total dissolved solids concentration less than 2,000 milligrams per liter; or
- Wastewater with measured effluent concentrations at or below the threshold levels of metals, TOC, oil and grease, TDS and nitrate/nitrogen listed in Table 1 of 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.53(a)(9) that is not also a waste source listed in § 210.54(a).
A producer is eligible to apply for Level II authorization if the industrial reclaimed water for any of the following situations:
- The industrial reclaimed water contains pollutant concentration levels that exceed the threshold levels of metals, TOC, oil and grease, TDS and nitrate/nitrogen listed in Table 1 of 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.53(a)(9) but is not a listed waste in §210.54(a);
- Industrial reclaimed water that contains any amount of domestic wastewater;
- The proposed end use is not onsite;
- The proposed end use is not listed in 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.56(b)(2); or
- The proposed disposal method as an alternative to reuse is not listed in 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.56(b)(1).
Water reuse treatment category for industrial applications
The eligibility for either a Level I or Level II authorization does not apply to the end use of industrial reclaimed water when the end use is authorized by a permit or commission rules, other than those specified in 30 Tex. Admin. Code 210 Subchapter E. When an end use of industrial reclaimed water is regulated under 30 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 335 (relating to Industrial Solid Waste and Municipal Hazardous Waste), that end use shall comply with the requirements of 30 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 335 in addition to the requirements of 30 Tex. Admin. Code 210 Subchapter E.
The respective requirements for Level I and Level II authorizations of industrial reclaimed water are briefly summarized.
- Level I industrial reclaimed water producers are not required to notify or obtain approval from the TCEQ executive director. Effluent sampling is not required for wastes eligible for coverage, with the exception of cooling tower blowdown, which must meet the 2,000 mg/L threshold level for total dissolved solids.
- Level II industrial reclaimed water producers must submit a complete application to the TCEQ executive director to request authorization. The use of Level II industrial reclaimed water shall not begin until a written authorization is received. Monitoring shall be done by grab sample once per week and sampling shall be conducted only if industrial reclaimed water use occurs during the monitoring period. Level II industrial reclaimed water authorizations do not change any general or individual permit limits or requirements for an industrial wastewater discharge activity.
Additional context and definitions
Texas defines industrial reclaimed water as “any industrial wastewater which has been treated, if necessary, to a quality suitable for land application for beneficial use” [30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.52(8)]. Industrial wastewater is defined as a non-domestic or non-municipal wastewater (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.52). Process wastewater is defined as “water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, byproduct, or waste product” (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.52).
Texas defines non-contact cooling water as “water used for cooling which does not come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product, by-product, or finished product” (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.52). Once-through cooling water is defined as “water passed through main cooling condensers in one or two passes for the purpose of removing waste heat” (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.52).
Texas requires the hose bibs and faucets of reclaimed water systems to be designed to prevent connection to a standard water hose and must be painted purple (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.25). Any area where reclaimed water is stored or whether hose bibs or faucets exist must either (1) have a sign posted at all storage areas and on all hose bibs and faucets reading, in English and Spanish, “Reclaimed Water, Do Not Drink”, or (2) the area must be secured to prevent public access. Reclaimed water piping must be separated nine feet horizontally from potable water piping and three feet horizontally from sewer lines (for reclaimed water lines that parallel sewer lines). All exposed reclaimed water piping and piping within a building must be colored purple and all exposed piping should be labeled in white with a warning reading “NON-POTABLE WATER”.
The executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may deny or suspend an authorization request to use industrial reclaimed water under 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.59 “based on potential or actual adverse impact to the environment or on close proximity to a public park, school, recreational area, spring, aquifer, water supply well, surface water supply intake, water treatment plant intake, potable water storage facility, sewage treatment plant, or other location of concern. A determination of potential adverse impact may arise from consideration of such factors as, but not limited to, proposed flow rate, production rate, industrial reclaimed water quality, nature of the groundwater, soils, or geology of the disposal area. In making a determination of potential adverse impacts, the executive director may also consider such other factors, as he deems appropriate.”
Water reuse for industrial applications specifications
Summary of Texas's Water Reuse for Industrial Applications Reuse Specifications
| Recycled Water Class/Category | Source Water Type | Water Quality Parameter | Specification | Sampling/Monitoring Requirements (Frequency of monitoring; site/ location of sample; quantification methods)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Level I authorization |
Industrial reclaimed water |
Total Dissolved Solidsa |
≤2,000 mg/L |
Not specified |
|
Level II authorizationb |
Industrial reclaimed water |
Total Organic Carbon |
≤55 mg/L |
Sampled once per month via grab sample |
|
pH |
6.0-9.0 |
Sampled once per week via grab sample |
Source= Tex. Admin. Code § 210.55-210.61
* Information about sampling and monitoring requirements such as frequency, site and quantification methods not specifically listed in the table was not explicitly specified in the state-specific regulations.
a Sampling requirement only applies to cooling tower blowdown. Otherwise, effluent sampling is not required (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.55).
b The executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may include additional limitations or increased monitoring frequencies based on information provided by the applicant, or any other available information (30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.56). Level II authorization does not change any general or individual permit limits or requirements for an industrial wastewater discharge activity.
Upcoming state law or policy
No upcoming regulations related to industrial water reuse were found for Texas.
References:
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 1997. Title 30 Texas Administrative L Chapter 210. Use of reclaimed water. Subchapter C. Quality criteria and specific uses for reclaimed water. Rule §210.32. Specific Uses of Reclaimed Water.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 2009. Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 210. Use of reclaimed water. Subchapter C. Quality criteria and specific uses for reclaimed water. Rule §210.33. Quality Standards for Using Reclaimed Water.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 2002. Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 210. Use of reclaimed water. Subchapter E. Special Requirements for Use of Industrial Reclaimed Water.
Use of Reclaimed Water, 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.
Please contact us at waterreuse@epa.gov if the information on this page needs updating or if this state is updating or planning to update its laws and policies and we have not included that information on the news page.