Stormwater Management Program
UT San Antonio regulates stormwater discharge through our Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). This plan advances environmental stewardship by integrating workforce training, educational outreach, community involvement and annual review of operational standards. To ensure we strengthen the university’s efforts to reduce pollutants in the San Antonio River watershed, our plan includes trackable, measurable and sustainable best management practices (BMPs).
Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff is a primary non-point source of pollutants in urban landscapes. In rapidly urbanizing areas, increased densities of impervious surfaces, such as roads, sidewalks, parking lots and rooftops, generate greater volumes of urban runoff that concentrate accumulated pollutants such as hydrocarbons, nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, sediment and other contaminates.
Extended drought conditions can cause pollutants to build up on impervious cover over time. Stormwater then commingles within swales, channels, inlets and drainage pipes, rapidly conveying concentrated pollutant runoff to discharge points where it enters surface water.
Extreme storms that can cause intense runoff velocities and increased peak flows often occur in regions experiencing high temperatures. High-velocity runoff reduces the ability of stormwater to infiltrate and accelerates channel scouring and streambank erosion, resulting in degraded aquatic habitat and impairing overall water quality.
The combined dynamics of urban runoff pose increasing risks to the environment, community health and ecosystem integrity, and reduce water quality and water availability.
Inquiries and Access to the Program Document
For inquiries about UT San Antonio’s SWMP, please send us an email.
UT San Antonio's proposed program is under review by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The TCEQ will provide a permit to operate after review and approval of the program, activating the program elements.
Once approved, the full program will be available below. To review the approved program in person, visit the John Peace Library Special Collections.
The university will compile and share information on SWMP changes reported to the TCEQ, along with metrics documenting corrective actions for reported illicit discharges, spills or dumping, through annual public reporting.
The university’s SWMP provides a comprehensive framework to identify, assign and implement control measures and best management practices that reduce or eliminate the discharge of pollutants in surface water and target pollutants of concern in impaired streams.
The purpose of the SWMP is to ensure the university’s stormwater activities protect water quality, support compliance with state and federal regulations, and uphold the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The university is a non-traditional Phase II Level 2b Municipal Separated Stormwater System (MS4) operator and complies with the 2024 Phase II MS4 General Permit TXRO4000.
- SA2: The University of Texas at San Antonio Stormwater Management Program (SWMP)
- SA3: Documents
- SA3a: Notices of change
- SA3b: Annual Reports
- SA3c: Report Illicit Discharge, Spills, or Dumping
The documents above will be available once the plan is approved by TCEQ.
Report a non-emergency surface water quality concern at UT San Antonio properties by emailing us. Reports of illicit discharge, spills or illegal dumping will be investigated within 24 hours during normal business hours.
To report emergency concerns of illicit discharges, unlawful dumping or illicit spills, call Facilities Operations Office at 210-458-5277. Reports of emergency illicit discharge, spills or illegal dumping will be investigated immediately.
Definitions
- Illicit discharges are direct or indirect, non-stormwater related discharges such as paints, oils and grease, overflowing trash cans, animal or food related waste, household or hazardous waste, effluent, sewage overflows, construction-related releases of sediments, etc.
- Illicit dumping is the unlawful action of direct or indirect deposition of pollutants such as household items, batteries, garbage, tires, construction waste, landscape waste, bulky items, etc.
- Illicit spills are the direct or indirect, non-stormwater related discharge of pollutants into surface waters from actions such as leaking or overflowing infrastructure, transport of materials, campus construction, operations, services, repairs, maintenance, etc.
The notice of intent (NOI) document is an application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a permit to discharge stormwater into receiving waters.
The NOI includes information about the stormwater plan, the location, legal status and contact information, and indicates the operators’ compliance with requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to regulate point sources of pollutants such as swales, pipes, ditches and structural controls, collectively considered as outfalls.
The NOI confirms approval from TCEQ of UT San Antonio’s commitment to implement a program that includes best management practices and measurable goals to help manage and reduce the release of pollutants in waters of the U.S. to minimize environmental impacts.
- SA1: Notice of Intent - coming soon
- SA1a: Approved NOI Permit signed by the TCEQ General Manager - pending
Permit Applicability
This permit is applicable to districts within the main and downtown academic campus locations. These districts are: the Main District (includes Park West), the Buena Vista District, the Southwest District (includes One Riverwalk Place) and the San Pedro District.
