The State of Texas’ Rivers and Lakes: A Vital Resource Under Threat
More than 191,000 miles of streams and rivers run through Texas. That’s enough to circle the Earth almost eight times! Add in 196 major reservoirs, and you’ve got a vast network of waterbodies that define the culture, history, and economy of our state. Whether it’s fishing on the Brazos, tubing on the Guadalupe, or just taking in the sunset over a serene lake, Texas waterbodies have always been a cherished part of our lives.
Unfortunately, our beloved rivers and lakes are under threat. Population growth, widespread pollution, and the impacts of climate change are slowly but surely compromising the quality of these vital surface water resources.
Bacteria in Texas Waters: A Growing Concern
Bacteria in water– including E. coli (Escherichia coli) – is the leading cause of impairments in Texas’ surface waters, accounting for 44% of all the problems. E. coli are primarily found in the feces of warm-blooded animals, including humans. These harmful bacteria can make their way into our rivers, streams, and lakes through various pathways, such as stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment plant discharges, failing septic systems, broken sewer lines, and improperly stored manure. When people co
me into contact with water contaminated by high levels of E. coli, especially if they accidentally ingest it, they risk developing serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, and kidney damage. In short, bacteria in water is a major concern because it can make our rivers and lakes unsafe for recreational activities.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the agency tasked with ensuring our water is clean and safe to enjoy. But, if you’ve been paying attention, you might agree that TCEQ isn’t doing enough to protect our surface waters.
How Recreational Use Categories Shape Water Quality Standards
Texas categorizes waterbodies based on how they are used. Back in 2000, we had two categories: contact recreation and noncontact recreation. Contact recreation presumes activities that involve high risk of water ingestion, such as swimming, wading, and tubing. Noncontact recreation is associated with activities where there is little to no chance of ingesting water, like hiking or birdwatching near a waterbody.
In 2010, TCEQ introduced three subcategories under contact recreation:
- Primary Contact Recreation (PCR): High-risk activities like swimming and wading.
- Secondary Contact Recreation 1 (SCR1): Moderate-risk activities like boating and fishing.
- Secondary Contact Recreation 2 (SCR2): Similar activities to SCR1 but in areas with limited public access or infrequent recreational use.
Further changes came in 2014, splitting PCR into:
- PCR1: Strictest standards for high-risk activities.
- PCR2: Higher allowable bacteria levels for areas with limited public access or less frequent activity.
As TCEQ split the recreational use categories, they also allowed higher levels of bacteria in the less-protected categories. For example, waterbodies designated as PCR1 (the lowest and safest level of bacteria) would have stricter standards, while those deemed PCR2, SCR1, and SCR2 could allow a lot more bacteria, even though they’re still used for contact recreation. So, depending on what category TCEQ assigns to a waterbody, the agency allows different levels of bacteria before they consider the waterbody impaired. For activities like swimming or wading, the water quality standard should be strict, but for water activities like boating or fishing, the rules are far more lenient, allowing higher levels of bacteria in the water.
More information about recreational use categories and associated bacteria levels can be found in the TCEQ Guidance for Assessing and Reporting Surface Water Quality in Texas.
Understanding Recreational Use Attainability Analysis (RUAA)
A Recreational Use Attainability Analysis (RUAA) is conducted by TCEQ to evaluate Texas’ waterbodies and their ability to meet recreational standards. This process involves assessing a variety of physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence surface water quality in our rivers and streams.
Recently, TCEQ evaluated several waterbodies, including:
- Black Cypress Creek (Cypress River Basin)
- Lower Keechi Creek (Trinity River Basin)
- Atascosa River and Upper/Lower Atascosa Creeks (Nueces River Basin)
- Black Fork Creek (Neches River Basin)
- An unnamed tributary of Buffalo Creek (Red River Basin)
Of these, TCEQ proposes downgrading water quality standards for Black Cypress Creek, Atascosa River, and Lower Keechi Creek from PCR1 to SCR1. This means these waterbodies would be subject to looser bacteria standards, despite being used for recreational activities.
The Risks of Downgrading Water Quality Standards
We’re not just talking about numbers and categories here. These decisions directly affect how safe our rivers and lakes are for us and future generations. They affect the quality of the water we swim in, fish from, and recreate around. They also impact the health of the wildlife that depend on these waters and the integrity of our ecosystems. The Lone Star Chapter has been vocal about the risks of downgrading more of our waterbodies, and we submitted formal comments to TCEQ urging the agency to rethink these decisions. We believe that our rivers and streams deserve better protection!
Ways You Can Advocate for Stronger Water Protections
- Sign our petition: Show your support for stronger water protections by signing our petition to TCEQ.
- Share your story: Leave a personal message about why clean, safe water matters to you. We’ll ensure your voice is heard as part of our comments on TCEQ’s water quality standards.
- Spread the word: Encourage friends, family, and community members to join the fight for cleaner, safer water.
Let’s keep our waters flowing, our families happy, and our ecosystems thriving!