Protecting the Blanco River: Public Meeting on Wastewater Permit, Sep 11, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2025
Media Contact:
Amber Smith
Communications Manager
The Watershed Association
amber@watershedassociation.org
www.watershedassociation.org
Protecting the Blanco River: Public Meeting on Wastewater Permit, Sep 11, 2025
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Gem of the Hills, 2233 US Highway 281 North in Blanco, to gather public input on the City of Blanco’s proposed amendment to its wastewater discharge permit (TPDES Permit No. WQ0010549002).
For years, this permit has been a source of concern for residents, scientists, and conservation groups. At issue is the City’s authorization to discharge up to 225,000 gallons of treated wastewater per day into the Upper Blanco River—a vital stretch that provides drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat. The Blanco is already a stressed river system, and discharging treated effluent directly into it threatens water quality, ecosystem health, and the character of a river that defines this region The City is treating around 100,000 gallons a day now and there are other developments being considered.
The Blanco River in this area is also a losing stream—meaning water sinks into the limestone riverbed and recharges the Trinity and Edwards aquifers. Tracer studies have shown surface water from the Blanco contributing to Barton Springs in Austin. This hydrology means any pollutants in the river don’t just stay local—they can affect groundwater that provides drinking water and feeds springs downstream of Blanco..
The City is now seeking a major amendment to the permit. Proposed changes include decommissioning the lagoon treatment system, building new treatment facilities, reconfiguring holding ponds, and relocating the discharge point. While the infrastructure upgrades are necessary, the plan still relies on a discharge pipeline that sends treated wastewater into the Blanco River. Also of concern is that the new permit would abandon irrigation altogether, making it voluntary rather than a requirement.
Past permit history helps explain why residents remain wary. Blanco’s old lagoon system was prone to violations, with complaints about odor, runoff, and sludge management. In 2016, the city began upgrading its facilities and sought to increase discharge volumes up to 1.6 million gallons per day. That proposal drew significant opposition—more than 150 people attended a 2018 TCEQ meeting to voice concerns and advocate for reuse or land application instead of routine discharge. By 2019, the city was discharging more than 100,000 gallons daily, and residents documented visible differences in water quality upstream and downstream of the outfall, including algae growth.
This approach is shortsighted. Wastewater should not be wasted—it is a resource that, if managed responsibly, can be used in place of potable water for irrigation, dust suppression, and other needs. Communities across Texas are moving toward reuse strategies that protect rivers while meeting local water needs. The Blanco deserves no less.
The TCEQ staff’s preliminary review suggests that existing uses, such as swimming and aquatic life, will not be impaired and that no significant degradation is expected. However, these findings are not final, and they are not based on any site-specific science. They can and should be challenged with scientific data and public testimony from people who use and enjoy the Blanco River. Once wastewater is discharged into the river, the impacts on water quality and ecosystems cannot easily be undone.
When wastewater is discharged into Hill Country streams and rivers, it can release too many nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. This overload fuels algae growth, which uses up oxygen in the water and can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic life. [Click Here to learn how nutrients impact Hill Country waterways in research from Baylor University’s Dr. Ryan King.]
Concerns with the current draft permit include a two-year absence of phosphorus limits, even though phosphorus is a major driver of algae blooms in rivers like the Blanco. Residents have already observed algae growth linked to past discharges. Additionally, one of the water-quality standards (CBOD) has been loosened compared to previous permits, a change known as “backsliding” that runs counter to the intent of the Clean Water Act. Oversight and monitoring also remain unclear—particularly regarding emerging contaminants such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics.
This is why public participation is critical. The September 11 meeting will provide background on the amendment, explain the state’s process, and—most importantly—allow the community to speak out. Comments submitted in writing or online carry the same weight as those made at the meeting, so even if you cannot attend in person, your voice can still be heard.
The Blanco River is central to the identity and health of the Hill Country. It is a lifeline that connects communities, sustains wildlife, and inspires generations. Decisions about wastewater management will determine whether this river remains clean and flowing—or is burdened with discharges that degrade its quality and diminish its role in our lives.
How to Get Involved
- Attend the TCEQ public meeting on September 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Gem of the Hills, 2233 US Highway 281 North, Blanco, TX 78606.
- Submit your comments here: through the official TCEQ page. Include permit number WQ0010549002 in the comment letter
Every comment helps ensure that decisions are made with the full awareness of community concerns and the need to protect one of Texas’s most treasured rivers.