Clean Water Act discharge permit · NPDES TX0075639
CITY OF THORNTON WWTP, Thornton, TX: NPDES TX0075639 discharge permit, effluent exceedances, inspections, penalties
- Administratively continuedPermit status
- MinorDischarger class
- 37Pollutants under a numeric limit
- 6Pollutants with an effluent exceedance
- 0Inspections on file
- 1Formal enforcement actions
CITY OF THORNTON WWTP, held by THORNTON, CITY OF, holds NPDES permit TX0075639, which discharges to Unnmd Trib Of Steele Crk/Steele Crk. EPA’s file records it issued September 15, 2014 and expiring May 1, 2019. The status and dates are as EPA’s permit file stood when Velarion loaded it (October 14, 2026); EPA’s free Detailed Facility Report on ECHO carries the permit’s current standing.
Identity
| Facility as filed | CITY OF THORNTON WWTP |
|---|---|
| Permittee as filed | THORNTON, CITY OF |
| NPDES ID | TX0075639 |
| Permit status | Administratively continued (past its expiration date and still in force until reissued) |
| Permit type | Individual permit |
| Discharger class | Minor discharger |
| Facility type | Publicly owned treatment works |
| Program | Publicly owned treatment works |
| Issued | September 15, 2014 |
| Expiration date | May 1, 2019 |
| Address | Thornton, TX 76687 |
| Receiving water | UNNMD TRIB OF STEELE CRK/STEELE CRK |
| Subwatershed | Headwaters Steele Creek (HUC 120701030201) |
| SIC | 4952 – Sewerage Systems |
Cited to the EPA ICIS-NPDES permit file (ECHO download) and EPA’s NAICS/SIC and component files, the same download.
Effluent limits and exceedances
- 37Pollutants on file
- 37Under a numeric limit
- 36With a violation of any kind
- 6With 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solids, total suspended | 3 | 238 | 148 | June 30, 2026 | 3,253% over the limit |
| BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C | 3 | 123 | 25 | March 31, 2026 | 166% over the limit |
| Flow, in conduit or thru treatment plant | 2 | 77 | 14 | June 30, 2026 | 155,510% over the limit |
| Chlorine, total residual | 2 | 76 | 6 | June 30, 2018 | 40% over the limit |
| E. coli | 2 | 15 | 3 | December 31, 2024 | 1,476% over the limit |
| Oxygen, dissolved [DO] | 1 | 32 | 1 | August 31, 2005 | 75% over the limit |
| pH | 3 | 65 | 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 | ||
| Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Ann. amt sludge disposed by other method | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt of sludge incinerated | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Annual sludge production, total | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Annual amount of sludge land applied | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt. sludge disposed surface unit | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt sludge disposed in landfill | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Annual amt sludge transported interstate | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Compliance w/part 258 sludge requirement | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Fecal coliform | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Unit w/liner/leachate collection system | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Boundary areas | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Salmonella | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Pollutant table from 503.13 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Annual whole sludge application rate | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Cited to the EPA ICIS-NPDES limits and effluent violations files (ECHO download); up to 60 rows shown, most exceedances first.
Inspections, violations and enforcement
- 6Single-event violations
| Date | What EPA recorded | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2024 | Permit Violations - Discharge Without a Valid Permit | ST6 |
| December 13, 2023 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| September 8, 2021 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| June 13, 2019 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| June 13, 2018 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
| February 23, 2017 | Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment | ST6 |
Inspections
EPA’s inspection file holds no inspection for NPDES TX0075639.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29, 2026 | State CWA Penalty AO | State | $16,312 |
Informal enforcement
EPA’s informal enforcement file holds no action for NPDES TX0075639.
Cited to the EPA ICIS-NPDES violation, inspection and enforcement files (ECHO download); up to 50 rows of each shown, newest first.
Watch this permit
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Start the watch
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- One watershed — $2,990/year
- One state — $4,990/year
- The whole register — $18,000/year
How we handle your data → Privacy
EPA publishes a free Detailed Facility Report for every permit on ECHO: its compliance status quarter by quarter, its inspections, and its enforcement actions and penalties. EPA also sends free notices of new inspections and enforcement actions through ECHO Notify; enter NPDES ID TX0075639 there.
CITY OF THORNTON WWTP, Thornton, Texas: Individual permit TX0075639, held by THORNTON, CITY OF; Publicly owned treatment works; Administratively continued (past its expiration date and still in force until reissued); issued September 15, 2014, term to May 1, 2019; discharges to UNNMD TRIB OF STEELE CRK/STEELE CRK.
- Solids, total suspended: 3 limits, 238 violations of any kind, 148 effluent exceedances, latest June 30, 2026, largest 3,253% over the limit.
- BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C: 3 limits, 123 violations of any kind, 25 effluent exceedances, latest March 31, 2026, largest 166% over the limit.
- Flow, in conduit or thru treatment plant: 2 limits, 77 violations of any kind, 14 effluent exceedances, latest June 30, 2026, largest 155,510% over the limit.
- Chlorine, total residual: 2 limits, 76 violations of any kind, 6 effluent exceedances, latest June 30, 2018, largest 40% over the limit.
- E. coli: 2 limits, 15 violations of any kind, 3 effluent exceedances, latest December 31, 2024, largest 1,476% over the limit.
- Oxygen, dissolved [DO]: 1 limit, 32 violations of any kind, 1 effluent exceedance, latest August 31, 2005, largest 75% over the limit.
- pH: 3 limits, 65 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.
- Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure: 1 limit, 5 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Ann. amt sludge disposed by other method: 1 limit, 5 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amt of sludge incinerated: 1 limit, 5 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual sludge production, total: 1 limit, 5 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amount of sludge land applied: 1 limit, 5 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Annual amt. sludge disposed surface unit: 1 limit, 5 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]: 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.
- Compliance w/part 258 sludge requirement: 1 limit, 4 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.
- 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.
- Annual whole sludge application rate: 1 limit, 0 violations of any kind, 0 effluent exceedances.
- September 29, 2026: State CWA Penalty AO (State), $16,312 state or local penalty.
- September 26, 2024: Permit Violations - Discharge Without a Valid Permit (ST6).
- December 13, 2023: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- September 8, 2021: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- June 13, 2019: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- June 13, 2018: Permit Violations - Violation Specified in Comment (ST6).
- February 23, 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; 114 were issued before TX0075639.
Coverages issued nearest TX0075639
- July 7, 2014: SIENNA PLANTATION MUD 5 WWTP 4, Missouri City, TX0127868, held by SIENNA PLANTATION MUD NO 5
- July 24, 2014: CITY OF ORCHARD WWTF, Orchard, TX0069108, held by ORCHARD, CITY OF
- July 31, 2014: JACKSON STREET WWTP, Orange, TX0073423, held by ORANGE, CITY OF
- September 4, 2014: WILBARGER CREEK REGIONAL WWTP, Manor, TX0132179, held by PFLUGERVILLE, CITY OF
- September 15, 2014: BOLING WWTP, Boling, TX0033910, held by BOLING MWD
- September 16, 2014: LEON ISD WWTP, Jewett, TX0135127, held by LEON ISD
- September 23, 2014: FORT BEND COUNTY MUD 162 WWTP, Fort Bend County, TX0127183, held by FORT BEND COUNTY MUD 162
- September 29, 2014: NEW SWEDEN WWTP, Pflugerville, TX0128171, held by PFLUGERVILLE, CITY OF
- November 18, 2014: CROCKETT COUNTY WCID 1 WWTP, Ozona, TX0098345, held by CROCKETT COUNTY WCID 1
- November 20, 2014: MCKINNEY ROUGHS WWTP, Bastrop, TX0117609, held by CORIX UTILITIES, TEXAS, INC
CITY OF THORNTON WWTP among its neighbors
EPA’s permit file holds 6 discharge permits in the Headwaters Steele Creek subwatershed (HUC 120701030201), TX0075639 among them. Its county holds 43, 2 of them major permits; TX0075639 is a minor permit.
Other permits in the Headwaters Steele Creek subwatershed (HUC 120701030201)
- CITY OF THORNTON WWTP, Limestone: TX0147028, minor permit, discharging to Navasota River Below Lake Limestone, permit term to May 7, 2031
- DIVER SOLAR, Thornton: TXR1518PT, minor permit, discharging to N/A, permit term to March 4, 2028
- STRANGER SWITCH, Thornton: TXR1514SC, minor permit, discharging to STEELE CREEK 1209K, permit term to March 4, 2028
- WAC01620100, Axtell: TXR1565RS, minor permit, discharging to BRAZOS RIVER BASIN, permit term to March 4, 2028
- WAC01620100, Axtell: TXR1569RR, minor permit, discharging to BRAZOS RIVER BASIN, permit term to March 4, 2028
Nearby on the register
- Discharge permits in Thornton
- Every permit record in Thornton, A to Z
- Discharge permits in Texas
- Every permit record in Texas, A to Z
Figures from EPA’s ICIS-NPDES download, loaded October 14, 2026.