After months of grueling deliberation and closed-door settlements, the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) is recommending to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approval of the city of Dripping Springs wastewater permit.
The wastewater discharge permit would authorize the discharge of up to 822,500 gallons per day (GPD) of treated wastewater into a small tributary of Walnut Springs, which flows into Onion Creek.
“While a discharge permit is required to expand the treatment plant, the city has always had significant plans for beneficial reuse and has been committed to that goal since day one,” according to a city statement. “In fact, it has been negotiating reuse contracts for years, separate and apart from any settlement talks. (The city) never intended to discharge.”
