TCEQ 10 Acre Sediment Basin Compliance in Texas
If your construction site disturbs 10 acres or more within a common drainage area, Texas law requires a sediment basin under the TPDES Construction General Permit (TXR150000).
Stormwater Professionals Group partners with Rymar Waterworks to provide Marlee Float installation and sediment basin compliance solutions across Texas.
Understanding the TCEQ 10 Acre Requirement
Under the TPDES Construction General Permit TXR150000, a sediment basin is required when:
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10 acres or more are disturbed at one time
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The disturbed area drains to a common location
The basin must be designed to:
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Hold the volume of a 2-year, 24-hour storm event, or
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Provide at least 3,600 cubic feet of storage per acre drained if rainfall data is unavailable
In practical terms, a 10-acre disturbed area may require a minimum of 36,000 cubic feet of storage.The rule is clear. The design and discharge strategy must be defensible.
Where Projects Run Into Problems
On 10-acre and larger sites, inspectors typically focus on:
- RBasin Sizing calculations
- RDischarge clarity and sediment control
- RDewatering practices
- ROutlet protection
- RInspection frequency and documentation
- RMaintenance and sediment removal
The TCEQ requires inspections at least once every seven days, or once every 14 days and within 24 hours of a 0.5-inch storm event.
If sediment reduces basin capacity by 50 percent, removal is required.
Many sites struggle with:
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Clogged risers
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Uncontrolled discharge
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Excess turbidity
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Oversized basins built out of caution
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Undersized basins built without proper engineering
How the Marlee Float Enhances Sediment Basin Performance
Stormwater Professionals Group is a distributor and installer of the Marlee Float by Rymar Waterworks.
The Marlee Float is a surface skimming outlet device designed to:
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Draw water from the cleaner upper layer of the basin
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Reduce suspended sediment discharge
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Improve discharge quality
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Provide controlled, adjustable flow
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Reduce clogging compared to traditional perforated risers
By improving discharge performance and sediment control efficiency, the Marlee Float can enhance basin functionality and support more efficient sediment basin design.
When properly engineered, this enhancement may allow for more optimized basin sizing while maintaining compliance with TCEQ requirements.
This is not guesswork. It is performance-based stormwater control.
The SPG and Rymar Waterworks Partnership
Stormwater Professionals Group provides:
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Sediment basin review and sizing analysis
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SWP3 consulting and updates
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Marlee Float distribution
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Field installation
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Inspection support
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Ongoing maintenance services
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Compliance documentation assistance
Rymar Waterworks provides the engineered Marlee Float device.
SPG provides Texas-based implementation and compliance support.
Together, this creates a practical solution for 10-acre and larger construction sites across Texas.
Who This Applies To
This page is relevant for:
- RCivil engineers designing sediment basins
- RDevelopers managing large land disturbance
- RGeneral contractors responsible for SWP3 compliance
- RMS4 operators reviewing construction plans
- RIndustrial facility owners expanding site infrastructure
If your project disturbs 10 acres or more in a common drainage area, you should evaluate your sediment basin design strategy before construction begins.
Download the TCEQ SWP3 Instructions
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Instructions
TPDES Construction General Permit TXR150000
February 2018
Disclaimer: This document is provided for convenience. Always refer to the most current version of TXR150000.
Request a 10-Acre Compliance Quote
If your site triggers the 10-acre sediment basin requirement, your discharge strategy must withstand inspection.
Stormwater Professionals Group can:
- RReview your drainage area and disturbance limits
- REvaluate basin sizing
- RRecommend Marlee Float integration
- RProvide installation pricing
- RSupport SWP3 documentation
Do not wait until an inspector asks questions.