NPDES TX0063061 · Clean Water Act
CHOCOLATE BAYOU WWTP, Houston, TX: NPDES TX0063061 discharge permit, effluent exceedances, inspections, penalties
CHOCOLATE BAYOU WWTP, Houston, Texas: Individual permit TX0063061, held by CITY OF HOUSTON; Publicly owned treatment works; Administratively continued; issued December 21, 2017, term to September 1, 2022; discharges to SIMS BAYOU, HSC/BUFFALO BAYOU TIDAL.
38 of the 60 pollutants listed for NPDES TX0063061 have no violation or effluent exceedance.
- Solids, total suspended: 3 limits, 20 violations of any kind, 20 effluent exceedances, latest July 31, 2024, largest 172% over the limit.
- BOD, carbonaceous [5 day, 20 C]: 3 limits, 13 violations of any kind, 11 effluent exceedances, latest July 31, 2024, largest 99,999% over the limit.
- E. coli: 4 limits, 11 violations of any kind, 11 effluent exceedances, latest April 30, 2025, largest 99,999% over the limit.
- Flow, in conduit or thru treatment plant: 4 limits, 2 violations of any kind, 2 effluent exceedances, latest September 30, 2019, largest 2% over the limit.
- Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N]: 3 limits, 1 violation of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest July 31, 2024, largest 53% over the limit.
- Whole effluent toxicity - retest #2: 7 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pinephales promelas: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 0 limits, 4 violations of any kind.
- IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 4 limits, 2 violations of any kind.
- IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 4 limits, 2 violations of any kind.
- IC25 Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 4 limits, 2 violations of any kind.
- IC25 Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia: 4 limits, 2 violations of any kind.
- Whole effluent toxicity - retest #1: 7 limits.
- Arsenic, dry weight: 5 limits.
- Chromium, sludge, total, dry weight [as Cr]: 5 limits.
- IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 4 limits.
- IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 4 limits.
- IC25 Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 4 limits.
- IC25 Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas: 4 limits.
- pH: 3 limits.
- Selenium, dry weight: 3 limits.
- Copper, dry weight: 3 limits.
- Cadmium, dry weight: 3 limits.
- Molybdenum, sludge, total, dry weight [as Mo]: 3 limits.
- Zinc, sludge, total, dry weight [as Zn]: 3 limits.
- Lead, sludge, total, dry weight [as Pb]: 3 limits.
- Nickel, sludge, total, dry weight [as Ni]: 3 limits.
- Mercury, sludge, total, dry weight [as Hg]: 3 limits.
- Nickel, total [as Ni]: 2 limits.
- Chlorine, total residual: 2 limits.
- Level of pathogen requirements achieved: 2 limits.
- Description of pathogen option used: 2 limits.
- Vector attraction reduction alternative used: 2 limits.
- Oxygen, dissolved [DO]: 1 limit.
- Fecal coliform: 1 limit.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]: 1 limit.
- Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure: 1 limit.
- Annual whole sludge application rate: 1 limit.
- Ann. amt sludge disposed by other method: 1 limit.
- Annual amt of sludge incinerated: 1 limit.
- Annual sludge production, total: 1 limit.
- Annual amount of sludge land applied: 1 limit.
- Annual amt. sludge disposed surface unit: 1 limit.
- Annual amt sludge disposed in landfill: 1 limit.
- Annual amt sludge transported interstate: 1 limit.
- Unit w/liner/leachate collection system: 1 limit.
- Compliance w/part 258 sludge requirement: 1 limit.
- Boundary areas: 1 limit.
- Salmonella: 1 limit.
- Pollutant table from 503.13: 1 limit.
- January 28, 2026: Evaluation (S).
- October 17, 2023: Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- October 7, 2023: Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- October 11, 2022: Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- October 10, 2022: Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- January 20, 2022: Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- January 9, 2022: Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- October 8, 2021: Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- April 12, 2021: Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- April 6, 2021: Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S. that may endanger health or the environment (EP6).
- October 5, 2020: Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- January 23, 2020: Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment (EP6).
- October 23, 2019: Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., that may endanger health or the environment (EP6).
- June 12, 2019: WW SSO - Overflow to Dry Land or Building Backup (EP6).
- August 2, 2018: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- February 10, 2018: WW SSO - Discharge to Waters (EP6).
Texas holds 1,720 Publicly owned treatment works coverages of this permit type in EPA’s file; 637 were issued before TX0063061. CITY OF HOUSTON holds 13 permits in Texas.
Other permits held by CITY OF HOUSTON
- IMPERIAL VALLEY WWTP, Houston: TX0020478, issued 2018-03-26
- HARRIS COUNTY WCID 76 WWTP, Houston: TX0025291, issued 2018-02-13
- EASTHAVEN WWTP, Houston: TX0034886, issued 2017-11-02
- INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT WWTP, Houston: TX0034916, issued 2018-01-30
- SOUTHWEST WWTP, Houston: TX0062995, issued 2018-01-24
- NORTHEAST WWTP, Houston: TX0063037, issued 2018-07-31
- HARRIS COUNTY WCID 47 WWTP, Houston: TX0063045, issued 2017-10-17
- BELTWAY WWTP, Houston: TX0065307, issued 2017-12-21
- TIDWELL TIMBERS WWTP, Houston: TX0101460, issued 2018-02-13
- WILLOWBROOK WWTP, Houston: TX0113131, issued 2017-12-27
Coverages issued nearest TX0063061
- 2017-12-20: SOUTHWEST HARRIS CO MUD 1 WWTP, City Of Missouri City: TX0091979, held by SOUTHWEST HARRIS CO MUD 1
- 2017-12-20: CITY OF WILLOW PARK WWTP, Parker County: TX0099732, held by WILLOW PARK, CITY OF
- 2017-12-20: HARRIS COUNTY MUD 412 WWTP, Houston: TX0126756, held by HARRIS COUNTY MUD NO 412
- 2017-12-20: HARRIS COUNTY MUD 278 WWTP, Houston: TX0127124, held by HARRIS COUNTY MUD 278
- 2017-12-21: HOGGS BAYOU WWTP, Carthage: TX0032361, held by CARTHAGE, CITY OF
- 2017-12-21: BELTWAY WWTP, Houston: TX0065307, held by CITY OF HOUSTON
- 2017-12-21: KEEGANS BAYOU WWTP, Houston: TX0098191, held by HOUSTON, CITY OF
- 2017-12-21: LATEXO WETLANDS, Latexo: TX0114812, held by LATEXO ISD
- 2017-12-21: MONTGOMERY CO MUD NO 139 WWTP, Conroe: TX0134520, held by MONTGOMERY COUNTY MUD NO 139
- 2017-12-21: MANADAS CREEK WWTP, Laredo: TX0137260, held by LAREDO, CITY OF
CHOCOLATE BAYOU WWTP among its neighbors
218 discharge permits are in the Lower Sims Bayou subwatershed (HUC 120401040502); TX0063061 is one. Its county: 4,455, 195 major; TX0063061 is major permit.
Other permits in the Lower Sims Bayou subwatershed (HUC 120401040502)
- 10910 GLEN HOLLOW, Houston: TXR1588SI, minor, term to 2028-03-04
- 610 BUSINESS DISTRICT - BUILDINGS 1 & 2, Houston: TXR1529OE, minor, term to 2028-03-04
- 610 BUSINESS DISTRICT PHASE 2 - BLDGS 3 4 5 6, Houston: TXR1587UG, minor, term to 2028-03-04
- 6330 DIXIE DRIVE, Houston: TXR05FL79, minor, term to 2026-08-13
- A & D MACHINING SERVICE, Houston: TXRNECN55, minor, term to 2026-08-13
- A-1 CHROME PLATING, Houston: TXRNEBX97, minor, term to 2026-08-13
- ACC HOU - HOLMES, Houston: TXR05GR39, minor, term to 2026-08-13
- ACE SCRAP METAL RECYCLING, Houston: TXR05FW84, minor, term to 2026-08-13
- ACN MILLWORK, Houston: TXRNEBP25, minor, term to 2026-08-13
- ADVANCED CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS, Houston: TXRNEAZ27, minor, term to 2021-08-13
Identity
| Facility | CHOCOLATE BAYOU WWTP |
|---|---|
| Permittee | CITY OF HOUSTON |
| NPDES ID | TX0063061 |
| Status | Administratively continued |
| Type | Individual permit |
| Class | Major |
| Facility type | Publicly owned treatment works |
| Program | Publicly owned treatment works |
| Issued | December 21, 2017 |
| Expires | September 1, 2022 |
| Address | Houston, TX 77033 |
| Receiving water | SIMS BAYOU, HSC/BUFFALO BAYOU TIDAL |
| Subwatershed | Lower Sims Bayou (HUC 120401040502) |
| Program components on file | POTW, Pretreatment |
| SIC | 4952 – Sewerage Systems |
NPDES TX0063061: effluent limits and exceedances
CHOCOLATE BAYOU WWTP (NPDES TX0063061): 62 pollutants on file, 50 limited; 22 with a violation of any kind, 5 with an exceedance.
The 60 with the most exceedances of the 62 on file for NPDES TX0063061. How exceedances are counted.
| Pollutant | Limits | Violations | Exceedances | Latest | Largest, as filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solids, total suspended | 3 | 20 | 20 | July 31, 2024 | 172% over the limit |
| BOD, carbonaceous [5 day, 20 C] | 3 | 13 | 11 | July 31, 2024 | 99,999% over the limit |
| E. coli | 4 | 11 | 11 | April 30, 2025 | 99,999% over the limit |
| Flow, in conduit or thru treatment plant | 4 | 2 | 2 | September 30, 2019 | 2% over the limit |
| Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] | 3 | 1 | 1 | July 31, 2024 | 53% over the limit |
| Whole effluent toxicity - retest #2 | 7 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Low Flow Pass/Fail Survival Test Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| NOEC Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pinephales promelas | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Lethal Survival Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| LOEC Sub-Lethal Reproduction Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 4 | 2 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 4 | 2 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 4 | 2 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia | 4 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Whole effluent toxicity - retest #1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Arsenic, dry weight | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Chromium, sludge, total, dry weight [as Cr] | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Low Flow Pass/Fail Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
| IC25 Sub-Lethal Static Renewal 7 Day Chronic Pimephales promelas | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
| pH | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Selenium, dry weight | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Copper, dry weight | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Cadmium, dry weight | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Molybdenum, sludge, total, dry weight [as Mo] | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Zinc, sludge, total, dry weight [as Zn] | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Lead, sludge, total, dry weight [as Pb] | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Nickel, sludge, total, dry weight [as Ni] | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Mercury, sludge, total, dry weight [as Hg] | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Nickel, total [as Ni] | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Chlorine, total residual | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Level of pathogen requirements achieved | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Description of pathogen option used | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Vector attraction reduction alternative used | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Oxygen, dissolved [DO] | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Fecal coliform | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual whole sludge application rate | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Ann. amt sludge disposed by other method | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt of sludge incinerated | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual sludge production, total | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual amount of sludge land applied | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt. sludge disposed surface unit | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt sludge disposed in landfill | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt sludge transported interstate | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Unit w/liner/leachate collection system | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Compliance w/part 258 sludge requirement | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Boundary areas | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Salmonella | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Pollutant table from 503.13 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
NPDES TX0063061: inspections, violations and enforcement
NPDES TX0063061: 15 single-event violations
| Date | What EPA recorded | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2023 | Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| October 7, 2023 | Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| October 11, 2022 | Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| October 10, 2022 | Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| January 20, 2022 | Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| January 9, 2022 | Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| October 8, 2021 | Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| April 12, 2021 | Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| April 6, 2021 | Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S. that may endanger health or the environment | EP6 |
| October 5, 2020 | Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| January 23, 2020 | Dry-weather SSO discharge to waters of the U.S., not permit compliant, no endangerment | EP6 |
| October 23, 2019 | Dry-weather SSO, no discharge to waters of the U.S., that may endanger health or the environment | EP6 |
| June 12, 2019 | WW SSO - Overflow to Dry Land or Building Backup | EP6 |
| August 2, 2018 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| February 10, 2018 | WW SSO - Discharge to Waters | EP6 |
NPDES TX0063061: 1 inspection
| Date | What EPA recorded | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| January 28, 2026 | Evaluation | S |
NPDES TX0063061 (CHOCOLATE BAYOU WWTP): no formal enforcement action and informal enforcement action on file.
Watch NPDES TX0063061
NPDES TX0063061: one email when its EPA record changes — $99/month.
Permits near NPDES TX0063061
NPDES TX0063061: 62 pollutant rows, 16 dated events; ICIS-NPDES download, loaded October 14, 2026.