Contractors, Agencies Work for Clean Texas Waterways
Complying with the Clean Water Act and keeping waters of the United States free of pollution is the goal behind an agreement signed by TEXO, the Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter of the Associated General Contractors and the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Under state and federal law, it is a violation to discharge pollutant-laden stormwater into waters of the United States or Texas without a permit and in compliance with the requirements of the Texas Water Code and the federal Clean Water Act. TEXO and its members are launching a voluntary pilot test of a program to comply with both regulations thereby minimizing and/or eliminating the discharge of those pollutants.
"The pledge of local business and industry to comply with the law is essential to protecting water quality,” said EPA Region 6 Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division Director John Blevins. “This program promises to be successful in minimizing runoff from construction sites both large and small into our lakes, streams and rivers.”
The agreement commits TEXO members to work together with state and federal agencies to take steps in the pilot program to prevent stormwater pollution by educating and assisting members who voluntarily join the program. The program consists of an internal audit that each member performs at their construction site(s), an agreement to participate in the program, and an inspection of the site by TEXO’s environmental, safety, and health professionals.
"TEXO is excited to be part of this agreement and looks forward to the partnership with EPA and TCEQ. The understanding and adherence to stormwater regulations has been a focus of training for our membership for a number of years," said TEXO President and Chief Executive Officer Raleigh K. Roussell.“