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Victoria County is subject to the requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) General Permit No. TXR040000, effective December 13, 2013.  Victoria County was issued Permit # TXR040381.  The TCEQ General Permit requirements authorizes stormwater discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) into surface water in the state. 

Victoria County enforces the guidelines set by the TXR150000 Construction General Permit issued by TCEQ. Any construction activity in the County of Victoria is required to follow the specifications set by this Construction General Permit TXR150000. More information about the permit and its requirements can be found on TCEQ’s website or on the permit itself which is linked.

Victoria County’s Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) describes the county’s efforts and programs to protect the water quality and address the elements of a stormwater management program that meets permit requirements.  The TPDES permit applies only to the portions of unincorporated Victoria County that are identified as urbanized areas. There are approximately five non-contiguous urbanized areas in unincorporated Victoria County.

To the extent allowable under State and Local law, Victoria County’s SWMP was developed to prevent pollution in storm drainage systems to the maximum extent practicable by addressing six minimum control measures (MCM):
  1. Public Education and Outreach
  2. Public Involvement/Participation
  3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
  5. Post Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
  6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations 

Outfall Locations 

Victoria County routinely checks eight different outfall locations in order to determine the efficacy of its stormwater pollution prevention efforts.

What is Stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff is generated from rain events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters.

What is an Illicit Discharge?
An illicit discharge is any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of rain water or groundwater.  Examples include, dumping of motor vehicle fluids, household hazardous wastes, grass clippings, leaf litter, industrial waste, restaurant wastes, or any other non-storm water waste into a storm sewer system. 

REPORT ILLICIT DISCHARGES TO 361-578-6281

Stormwater Pollution Solutions for County Residents

  • Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. Excess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams.
  • Dont leave compost or mulch yard waste in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
  • Use organic mulch. Yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.
  • Don’t overwater your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
  • Use pest control methods minimizing pesticide application when possible.
  • Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.
  • Inspect your septic system regularly and pump your tanks as necessary. Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens that can be carried by storm water into nearby water bodies.
  • When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.
  • Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground. Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system.
  • Do not dump automotive fluids into storm drains. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a water body.
  • Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.
  • Collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof rain barrels. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.
  • Do not overgraze pastures to prevent excessive sediment from entering local water bodies.
  • Prevent livestock from entering streams to avoid bacterial contamination.
  • Apply fertilizers according to crop needs and pesticides according to label instructions.
  • Store and apply manure away from water bodies and in accordance with a nutrient management plan.
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Environmental Justice Hotline 
Phone: 800-962-6215 -Toll Free
E-mail: EJHotline@epa.gov
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday – Friday, Closed Federal Holidays; After-hours services are available via voicemail
Type of Coverage: Staffed by live Contractor to the EPA
Description: A publicly accessible service that provides communities with information that may assist in addressing potential environmental and/or public health issues, as well as fosters the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of low-income, minority, tribal and indigenous communities that may experience environmental and/or public health concerns.

Additional Notes: You can find additional information resources by clicking here.