Sewage tsunami headed for Salado

 The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is currently processing applications for 7 new permits that would allow treated sewage (domestic wastewater) to be discharged into Salado Creek. TCEQ has previously approved 4 wastewater discharge permits on the creek. Most of the pending and existing permits will be for wastewater treatment plants serving new residential subdivisions near Florence, Jarrell, and Salado. TCEQ will hold a public meeting on one of the pending permits, for The Reserve on Salado Creek, on January 27 (details below).
 

These 11 pending and existing permits could result in a cumulative total of 7.9 million gallons of treated sewage discharged into Salado Creek every day — a much higher volume than what’s discharged by most big-city wastewater treatment plants. Salado Creek is a spring-fed and exceptionally pristine stream, and it will not be able to handle such a high volume of treated wastewater. Because the creek has little to no flow during dry months, it will essentially be transformed into a sewage drainage ditch. The 7 pending permits, combined with the 4 existing permits, represent one of the highest concentrations of new wastewater permits anywhere in Texas.
 

In addition, Salado Creek crosses the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, where surface water seeps underground. Hundreds of groundwater wells are located in the creek’s watershed. Because of the risks that treated sewage poses to groundwater wells, TCEQ stopped issuing new wastewater discharge permits over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in 1996 — but only south of the Colorado River. If TCEQ had banned new discharge permits over the entire length of the Recharge Zone, it would not have been able to even consider most of the pending and existing discharge permits on Salado Creek.
 

The problems with the pending permits on Salado Creek would be exacerbated by the inadequate treatment requirements that TCEQ has drafted for them. In particular, these pending permits would have very high or no limits on the amount of phosphorus that could remain in wastewater after it’s been treated and before it’s discharged. Phosphorus is a plant fertilizer, and adding more of it to pristine streams with very low amounts of naturally occurring phosphorus will fertilize the growth of excessive algae.
 

This has already happened in Williamson County west of Georgetown. The South San Gabriel River, which is also a pristine stream with little phosphorus, has been blanketed with excess algae for several miles below the point where Liberty Hill discharges its treated wastewater, which contains higher levels of phosphorus. The draft permits that TCEQ has written for the pending applications on Salado Creek would allow treated wastewater to be discharged with 15 to 100 times more phosphorus than what’s in the creek.

The 7 pending wastewater discharge permit applications are at different stages in TCEQ’s approval process. The agency will hold a public meeting on one of these applications, for The Reserve on Salado Creek, on January 27. Concerned residents will hold community meetings prior to the TCEQ meeting. Details for these meetings:
 

Community Meeting on Salado Creek Permits
January 19, Monday, 5-6pm
Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St, Salado TX 76571
Speakers:
Brian Zabcik, advocacy director at Save Texas Streams
Mike Clifford, technical director at Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
 

Monthly Meeting of Native Plant Society of Texas - Tonkawa Chapter
January 20, Tuesday, 5:30PM-7:30PM
Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St, Salado TX 76571
Speaker: Brian Zabcik, advocacy director at Save Texas Streams
 

TCEQ Public Meeting on Draft Permit for Reserve on Salado Creek
January 27, Tuesday, 7-9pm
Salado ISD Administration Office, 601 N. Main Street, Salado TX 76571
Speakers: Representatives from TCEQ staff and from the permit applicant, South Central Water Company
Members of the public may pose questions to TCEQ and the applicant at this meeting
 

Submitting Online Comments on Draft Permit for Reserve on Salado Creek
Members of the public and other interested parties may submit online comments
Go to: https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/
Enter permit number: WQ0016658001

TCEQ Permit Guide

To learn how to find permit information on TCEQ's website, please see this guide written by Save Texas Streams:

https://www.savetexasstreams.org/tceqpermitguide

____________________________

BRIAN ZABCIK

Advocacy Director

(718) 288-0341

Brian@SaveTexasStreams.org

www.SaveTexasStreams.org

Winter Preparations for Your Native Plant Garden

Support wildlife, protect your plants, and foster a resilient ecosystem for spring! 

Key Steps for Winter Prep

• Leave stems, seed heads, and fallen leaves:
  These provide shelter and food for insects and birds, enrich the soil, and protect roots from freezing. 
• Mulch:
  Apply 2–4 inches of organic mulch (shredded leaves, straw, bark chips) to insulate roots and prevent frost heave. Spread mulch to the drip line, but avoid piling against trunks. Leaf litter acts as natural mulch, retaining moisture, suppressing weeds, and enriching soil. 
• Wildlife  Habitat:
  Leaf litter supports beneficial insects—native bees, butterflies, moths, lady beetles, millipedes, spiders, springtails, and sowbugs—by providing      overwintering shelter. 
• Watering:
  Water shrubs and perennials thoroughly in fall until the first freeze. 
• Perennials:
  Do not cut back or deadhead winter plants; leave them for insect and bird habitat. Cut back in late February or early March after freeze warnings end. 
• Leaf Safety:
  Avoid using insecticide-treated leaves. 

For Birds: Food, Water, Shelter

• Habitat:
  Use diverse native plants, provide water (birdbath or pond), and leave natural debris for shelter. 
• Food:
  Plant natives for seeds, berries, nuts, and nectar. Leave spent flowers, include host plants for insects/caterpillars, and consider supplemental feeders. 
• Water:
  Keep birdbaths clean and fresh; ponds are also beneficial. 
• Shelter:
  Build habitat layers, leave debris and snags, and make brush piles. 
• Avoid Harm:
  Do not use pesticides or invasive plants.

Spring Cleanup:

· General Maintenance:
Remove dead/damaged growth from non-overwintering plants, compost spent stalks, and weed garden beds. 

· Removing leaves:

Wait until late spring (after consistent warm temperatures) to remove leaves, allowing insects time to emerge. 

· Trees & Shrubs:
Water well in fall; protect trunks from sunscald and animal damage. Use wire cages to prevent deer-rub. 

· Pruning:
Prune only when plants are fully dormant; remove dead or broken branches.