2026 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) Revision - Understanding the Changes | Sierra Club

Photo By Ken Hulsey - Advanced Environmental Compliance

The 2026 Revision of Texas' Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) is a crucial process that will shape the future of our precious water resources. Last summer, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) kicked off this multi-year undertaking, aiming to update and strengthen the standards that protect the quality of our rivers, lakes, bays, and estuaries. This complex but vital effort will ensure clean, healthy water for drinking, recreation, and supporting aquatic life and wildlife.

In the early stages, TCEQ gathered preliminary public input to help guide their work. Then in March, they held a key stakeholder meeting to provide an update on the revision's progress so far. At the meeting, TCEQ highlighted several focus areas, including potential changes to criteria for toxic substances, nutrients, and recreational use standards that determine acceptable bacteria levels in swimming and wading waters. Salinity management also emerged as a growing challenge, with intensifying drought and rising sea levels impacting our surface waters.

The revision process still has more steps ahead, with additional opportunities for public participation. But this early work lays the foundation for the updated 2026 SWQS protections. By staying engaged and advocating for robust, science-based standards, we can all help ensure that Texas waterways remain clean, clear, and teeming with life for generations to come.

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