What are the laws governing agricultural water pollution?

In Texas, agricultural water pollution is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The TCEQ has enacted a number of laws that set standards for pollution control. These laws are designed to reduce the amount of pollution that enters stormwater runoff and water bodies near agricultural sites. The TCEQ has enacted the Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) to regulate agricultural discharge. This law requires agricultural operations to obtain a permit before they can discharge pollutants into waterways. The TPDES permit sets limits on the amount of pollutants that can be discharged and outlines the pollution control measures that must be used. The TCEQ has also enacted the Clean Rivers Program, which aims to improve water quality in rivers and streams by reducing agricultural water pollution. This law requires agricultural operations to use best management practices to minimize the amount of pollutants that are discharged into streams and rivers. Best management practices may include reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, improving irrigation systems, and maintaining vegetative buffers near water bodies. Finally, the TCEQ has created the Texas Nutrient Management Program, which sets standards for the management of nutrients in agricultural runoff. This law requires agricultural operations to develop and follow a nutrient management plan that aims to reduce the amount of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, that are discharged into water bodies. This law also sets standards for storing, handling, and applying fertilizers, as well as reporting and monitoring nutrient levels in streams and rivers near agricultural operations.

What are the laws governing agricultural water pollution?

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