Utilities and Districts
Links to information about the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's regulation of water utilities and water districts.
The TCEQ is responsible for the general supervision and oversight of districts and utilities, including the processing of petitions to create districts and applications to approve utility service areas. In addition, the agency maintains approval authority over many utility matters including the review of most district bond issues and of the rates charged by privately owned and member-owned utilities.
Under the jurisdiction granted by the Texas Legislature in these areas, TCEQ staff from the Utilities and Districts Section performs a variety of tasks including:
- Assistance for Consumers and Utilities
- Capacity Development: Assistance for Public Water and Wastewater Systems
- Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN)
- Establishing a New Water Utility
- Plan Review for Proposed Public Water Systems
- Regional Certification: Tax Exemption for Water and Sewer Utilities
- Revenue and Regulatory Assessment Reporting
- Supervision to Assist with Monitoring of Water District Activities
- The Creation of Districts
- The Review of Bonds for Districts
- The Water Utility Database (WUD)
- Water and Wastewater Submetering or Allocation
- Yearly Financial and Annual Reporting Submitted by Districts, Investor or Privately Owned Utilities
- Staff Contact and E-mail for the Water Supply Division
Assistance for Consumers and Utilities
For inquiries about customer service and protection rules please call 512/239-6100, or contact us by E-mail. The following RG-210 provides information on how TCEQ can assist various water or wastewater utilities and customers.
Capacity Development: Assistance for Public Water and Wastewater Systems
The Capacity Development program can provide assistance with Financial, Managerial and Technical (FMT) to make improvements to comply with regulations. Please visit the following website: "Assistance for Public Water and Wastewater Systems".
Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) Service Areas
A CCN authorizes and requires utility systems to provide continuous and adequate service to every customer who requests service in that area. Please visit the Rules and Guidance for Water Utilities website available with links, instructions and forms for all CCN's.
Establishing a New Water Utility
Please visit the following website for details of basic steps to follow to determine whether there is a need to establish a new water or sewer utility.
Plan Review for Proposed Public Water Systems
For proposed plans and specifications for public water systems is to ensure the proper design is available related to public water systems before construction begins. The following "Public Water System Plan Review" website explains the process of reviewing technical plans for public water systems.
Regional Certification: Tax Exemption for Water and Sewer Utilities
A utility may qualify for tax exemption under Texas Water Code Section §15.001(13) and §151.355. Please visit the following "Regional Certification website" for details on the type of criteria water and sewer utilities must meet. A sample letter to request certification and a list of providers already certified is also available.
Revenue and Regulatory Assessment Reporting
Information is available on the regulatory assessment fee that investor-owned utilities, water districts, and water supply corporations collect from their retail customers.
- Regulatory Assessments Collected by Retail Public Utilities (TCEQ publication RG-199)
- Regulatory Assessment Fee Form
Supervision to Assist with Monitoring of Water District Activities
Publications for Water Districts are available to assist water district activities and the compliance of state laws. The website provides information to customers, consultants, board members, and employees. The review of applications and petitions to appoint district boards are also updated.
The Creation of Districts
A water district is a local, governmental entity that provides limited services to its customers and residents, such as: Municipal Utility Districts, Water Control and Improvement Districts, Special Utility Districts and River Authorities. General Guides and other forms can be found at the Texas Water Districts website.
The Review of Bonds for Districts
Monitor water district activities and their compliance with state laws. Provide information to customers, consultants, board members, and employees. Review applications and petitions for appointment to district boards. For more information on developing bond applications, the following Forms and Documents website is available.
The Water Utility Database
The Water Utility Database is a collection of data with details for Texas water districts, public drinking water systems, water and sewer utilities, and rental properties to show how they bill tenants for water or sewer service. This database may be used to search for the names of these entities, their addresses, the counties in which they are located, applications they have filed with the TCEQ, maps of their service areas, and other relevant information. For additional information the Water Utility Database Web Guide is available.
Water and Wastewater Submetering or Allocation
The following "Submetering or Allocation website" provides a description and explanation of submetered and allocated utility billing.
Yearly Financial and Annual Reporting Requirements Submitted by Districts, Investor or Privately Owned Utilities
Review audit, financial, and revenue reports submitted by districts and investor- or privately owned utilities. The following publications and forms contain information on reporting requirements. These are PDF files.
- On Financial Reporting for Districts and
River Authorities:
- Financial Reporting Requirements for Districts and River Authorities (TCEQ publication RG-378)
- Water District Financial Management Guide (TCEQ Publication RG-080)
- On the Annual Report That Each Investor- or Privately Owned Utility Must File with the TCEQ before April 1 of Each Year:
Staff Contact
For more information you may e-mail your questions or comments to utildist@tceq.texas.gov. You can also call our main Water Supply Division line at 512-239-4691.