Water use can have a profound impact on a business’s environmental compliance. How businesses access, store or reroute water can lead to regulator violations that have costly consequences.
Under current state statutes, organizations with physical premises in Texas have to ensure compliance with a variety of water-related laws. What compliance issues do business leaders likely need to address when starting a new company or moving to new facilities?
1. Landscape irrigation
Non-agricultural irrigation accounts for a substantial amount of potable water waste every year. Local and state authorities may impose limitations on the use of water for landscape irrigation, especially during droughts. Ensuring that a company’s facilities are compliant with landscape irrigation limitations is important for compliance and cost management.
2. Stormwater systems
When rain falls rapidly or over an extended period in Texas, there may be more water than the soil and any landscape plants can easily accommodate. Stormwater systems allow companies to reroute runoff produced by heavy rainfall to surface waters across the state. Compliance with storm sewer system rules is of the utmost importance for compliance with municipal statutes.
3. Wastewater rules
Wastewater goes beyond the sewer and septic needs associated with a business’s employee bathrooms. Businesses may use water for cooling or a variety of other business functions. In some cases, there may be contaminated wastewater to address. Storage and remediation programs can help ensure compliance with wastewater regulations.
Reviewing current company practices and municipal regulations can help ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. Business leaders may need to consult with an attorney familiar with different water use and environmental regulations at the state and municipal levels.
