Clean Water Act discharge permit · NPDES TX0046981
WALNUT CREEK WWTP, Austin, TX: NPDES TX0046981 discharge permit, effluent exceedances, inspections, penalties
- Administratively continuedPermit status
- MajorDischarger class
- 54Pollutants under a numeric limit
- 5Pollutants with an effluent exceedance
- 1Inspections on file
- 1Formal enforcement actions
WALNUT CREEK WWTP, held by AUSTIN, CITY OF, holds NPDES permit TX0046981, which discharges to Walnut Creek-Colorado River. EPA’s file records it issued January 13, 2015 and expiring September 1, 2019.
WALNUT CREEK WWTP, Austin, Texas: Individual permit TX0046981, held by AUSTIN, CITY OF; Publicly owned treatment works; Administratively continued (past its expiration date and still in force until reissued); issued January 13, 2015, term to September 1, 2019; discharges to WALNUT CREEK-COLORADO RIVER.
- E. coli: 2 limits, 6 violations of any kind, 6 effluent exceedances, latest August 31, 2019, largest 99,999% over the limit.
- Flow, in conduit or thru treatment plant: 4 limits, 5 violations of any kind, 3 effluent exceedances, latest October 31, 2015, largest 63% over the limit.
- Solids, total suspended: 4 limits, 3 violations of any kind, 2 effluent exceedances, latest January 31, 2019, largest 97% over the limit.
- Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N]: 4 limits, 2 violations of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest June 30, 2008, largest 34% over the limit.
- Oxygen, dissolved [DO]: 1 limit, 1 violation of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest March 31, 2006, largest 7% over the limit.
- Nitrogen, nitrate total [as N]: 0 limits, 21 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Arsenic, dry weight: 5 limits, 15 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Chromium, sludge, total, dry weight [as Cr]: 5 limits, 15 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Selenium, dry weight: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Copper, dry weight: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Cadmium, dry weight: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Molybdenum, sludge, total, dry weight [as Mo]: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Zinc, sludge, total, dry weight [as Zn]: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Lead, sludge, total, dry weight [as Pb]: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Nickel, sludge, total, dry weight [as Ni]: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Mercury, sludge, total, dry weight [as Hg]: 3 limits, 9 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Nickel, total [as Ni]: 2 limits, 6 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Level of pathogen requirements achieved: 2 limits, 6 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Description of pathogen option used: 2 limits, 6 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Vector attraction reduction alternative used: 2 limits, 6 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 2 limits, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 2 limits, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 2 limits, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Ann. amt sludge disposed by other method: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amt of sludge incinerated: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual sludge production, total: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amount of sludge land applied: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amt. sludge disposed surface unit: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amt sludge disposed in landfill: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amt sludge transported interstate: 1 limit, 4 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- pH: 3 limits, 3 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Fecal coliform: 1 limit, 3 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Unit w/liner/leachate collection system: 1 limit, 3 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Compliance w/part 258 sludge requirement: 1 limit, 3 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Boundary areas: 1 limit, 3 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Salmonella: 1 limit, 3 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Pollutant table from 503.13: 1 limit, 3 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 2 limits, 2 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 2 limits, 2 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- BOD, carbonaceous [5 day, 20 C]: 4 limits, 1 violation of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Whole effluent toxicity - retest #1: 3 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Whole effluent toxicity - retest #2: 3 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Chlorine, total residual: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pinephales promelas: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 2 limits, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual whole sludge application rate: 1 limit, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- LC50 Pass/Fail Static 24Hr Acute D. Pulex: 1 limit, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- LC50 Pass/Fail Static 24Hr Acute Pimephales promelas: 1 limit, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- September 18, 2026: Focused (S).
- August 18, 2026: State CWA Penalty AO (State), $38,750 state or local penalty.
- November 30, 2022: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- May 25, 2021: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- April 2, 2019: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- April 6, 2017: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
Texas holds 1,720 Publicly owned treatment works coverages of this permit type in EPA’s file; 128 were issued before TX0046981. AUSTIN, CITY OF holds 14 permits in Texas.
Other permits held by AUSTIN, CITY OF
- DECKER CREEK POWER PLANT, Austin: TX0058441, issued December 6, 2019
- THOROUGHBRED FARMS WWTP, Austin: TX0067466, issued September 10, 2019
- SOUTH AUSTIN REGIONAL WWTP, Del Valle: TX0071889, issued December 19, 2019
- DESSAU WWTF, Austin: TX0097870, issued May 21, 2015
- HARRIS BRANCH WWTP, Austin: TX0101532, issued April 22, 2010
- GARFIELD WWTP, Austin: TX0117200, issued February 28, 2006
- SANDHILL ENERGY CENTER, Del Valle: TX0124362, issued December 4, 2019
- WILD HORSE RANCH WWTP, Manor: TX0124800, issued June 15, 2015
- NACOGDOCHES GENERATING FACILITY, Cushing: TX0124842, issued September 23, 2021
- TAYLOR LANE WWTP, Manor: TX0129950, issued October 7, 2019
Coverages issued nearest TX0046981
- December 10, 2014: CITY OF JOAQUIN WWTP, Joaquin, TX0069213, held by JOAQUIN,CITY OF
- December 10, 2014: CENTRAL WWTP, Pflugerville, TX0094927, held by PFLUGERVILLE, CITY OF
- December 10, 2014: PALMIRA MENDIOLA LA JOYA ISD 25 WWTP, La Joya, TX0132055, held by LA JOYA ISD
- December 16, 2014: MARTINEZ III WWTF, San Antonio, TX0117536, held by SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY
- January 12, 2015: ALLISON WWTP, Corpus Christi, TX0047082, held by CORPUS CHRISTI, CITY OF (ALLIS
- January 13, 2015: CITY OF BEASLEY WWTF, Beasley, TX0053945, held by BEASLEY, CITY OF
- January 13, 2015: HONEY GROVE WWTP, Honey Grove, TX0117951, held by HONEY GROVE, CITY OF
- January 14, 2015: CITY OF MULLIN WWTF, Mullin, TX0119008, held by MULLIN, CITY OF
- January 22, 2015: CITY OF BROWNWOOD WWTP, Brownwood, TX0047040, held by BROWNWOOD, CITY OF
- February 4, 2015: STEIN FALLS WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY, Seguin, TX0025208, held by GUADALUPE-BLANCO RIVER AUTHORI
WALNUT CREEK WWTP among its neighbors
EPA’s permit file holds 104 discharge permits in the Walnut Creek-Colorado River subwatershed (HUC 120902050307), TX0046981 among them. Its county holds 1,099, 15 of them major permits; TX0046981 is a major permit.
Other permits in the Walnut Creek-Colorado River subwatershed (HUC 120902050307)
- 2304 FORBES DRIVE, Austin: TXR1575VU, minor permit, discharging to WALNUT CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
- AISD - GILES SERVICE CENTER POND & CIVIL WORK, Austin: TXR1561PI, minor permit, discharging to WALNUT CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
- ALAMO CONCRETE PRODUCTS PLANT 16, Austin: TXG110066, minor permit, discharging to WALNUT CREEK, permit term to November 7, 2021
- AMANDA GREEN, Briggs: TXR1520SS, minor permit, discharging to SOUTH ROCKY CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
- ASBESTOS CEMENT WATER PIPE AND WASTEWATER LINE REPLACEMENT, Austin: TXR1562EK, minor permit, discharging to TANNEHILL BRANCH CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2023
- AUSTIN ISD LBJ HIGH SCHOOL, Austin: TXR1526TQ, minor permit, discharging to WALNUT CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
- AUSTIN LF SAND AND GRAVEL BORROW PIT, Austin: TXR1552NX, minor permit, discharging to WALNUT CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
- BERTHA SADLER MEANS YOUNG WOMENS LEADERSHIP ACADE, Austin: TXR1554RZ, minor permit, discharging to LITTLE WALNUT CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
- BRAKER VALLEY OFFSITE WATER & WASTEWATER LINES, Austin: TXR1514QG, minor permit, discharging to WALNUT CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
- BRAKER VALLEY OFFSITE WATER & WASTEWATER LINES, Austin: TXR1521QR, minor permit, discharging to WALNUT CREEK, permit term to March 4, 2028
Identity
| Facility as filed | WALNUT CREEK WWTP |
|---|---|
| Permittee as filed | AUSTIN, CITY OF |
| NPDES ID | TX0046981 |
| Permit status | Administratively continued (past its expiration date and still in force until reissued) |
| Permit type | Individual permit |
| Discharger class | Major discharger |
| Facility type | Publicly owned treatment works |
| Program | Publicly owned treatment works |
| Issued | January 13, 2015 |
| Expiration date | September 1, 2019 |
| Address | Austin, TX 78724 |
| Receiving water | WALNUT CREEK-COLORADO RIVER |
| Subwatershed | Walnut Creek-Colorado River (HUC 120902050307) |
| Program components on file | POTW, Pretreatment |
| SIC | 4952 – Sewerage Systems |
Effluent limits and exceedances
- 55Pollutants on file
- 54Under a numeric limit
- 42With a violation of any kind
- 5With an effluent exceedance
An effluent exceedance is a discharge monitoring report value over the permit’s numeric limit (EPA’s violation code E90). A violation of any kind also counts a report not filed. Each row is EPA’s own count for that pollutant.
| Pollutant or measure | Limits | Violations, any kind | Effluent exceedances | Latest exceedance | Largest exceedance, as filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | 2 | 6 | 6 | August 31, 2019 | 99,999% over the limit |
| Flow, in conduit or thru treatment plant | 4 | 5 | 3 | October 31, 2015 | 63% over the limit |
| Solids, total suspended | 4 | 3 | 2 | January 31, 2019 | 97% over the limit |
| Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] | 4 | 2 | 1 | June 30, 2008 | 34% over the limit |
| Oxygen, dissolved [DO] | 1 | 1 | 1 | March 31, 2006 | 7% over the limit |
| Nitrogen, nitrate total [as N] | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| Arsenic, dry weight | 5 | 15 | 0 | ||
| Chromium, sludge, total, dry weight [as Cr] | 5 | 15 | 0 | ||
| Selenium, dry weight | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Copper, dry weight | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Cadmium, dry weight | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Molybdenum, sludge, total, dry weight [as Mo] | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Zinc, sludge, total, dry weight [as Zn] | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Lead, sludge, total, dry weight [as Pb] | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Nickel, sludge, total, dry weight [as Ni] | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Mercury, sludge, total, dry weight [as Hg] | 3 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Nickel, total [as Ni] | 2 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Level of pathogen requirements achieved | 2 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Description of pathogen option used | 2 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Vector attraction reduction alternative used | 2 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Ann. amt sludge disposed by other method | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt of sludge incinerated | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual sludge production, total | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual amount of sludge land applied | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt. sludge disposed surface unit | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt sludge disposed in landfill | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt sludge transported interstate | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| pH | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Fecal coliform | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Unit w/liner/leachate collection system | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Compliance w/part 258 sludge requirement | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Boundary areas | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Salmonella | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Pollutant table from 503.13 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| BOD, carbonaceous [5 day, 20 C] | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Whole effluent toxicity - retest #1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Whole effluent toxicity - retest #2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Chlorine, total residual | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pinephales promelas | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual whole sludge application rate | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LC50 Pass/Fail Static 24Hr Acute D. Pulex | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| LC50 Pass/Fail Static 24Hr Acute Pimephales promelas | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Inspections, violations and enforcement
- 4Single-event violations
| Date | What EPA recorded | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| November 30, 2022 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| May 25, 2021 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| April 2, 2019 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| April 6, 2017 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
Inspections
| Date | What EPA recorded | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| September 18, 2026 | Focused | S |
Formal enforcement and penalties
1 formal actions, 1 of them with a penalty assessed. Federal and state penalties are separate figures from separate authorities and are shown as each was filed, never added together.
| Date | What EPA recorded | Agency | Federal penalty | State or local penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2026 | State CWA Penalty AO | State | $38,750 |
Informal enforcement
EPA’s informal enforcement file holds no action for NPDES TX0046981.
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Figures from EPA’s ICIS-NPDES download, loaded October 14, 2026.