The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has been processing permit applications for 12 new wastewater facilities that could discharge up to 8 million gallons of inadequately treated sewage everyday into Salado Creek. This is one of the largest concentrations of new wastewater permit applications anywhere in Texas. Salado Creek is a pristine stream that runs over the Edwards Aquifer in Bell and Williamson Counties. TCEQ has already approved 5 of these applications, and if the agency approves all 12, the results could be disastrous. The harmful effects on Salado Creek could include:

• Algae blooms that would suffocate the creek and prevent people from wading, fishing, or swimming in it;
• Potential wastewater contamination of nearby wells used for drinking water; and
• More threats to the endangered Salado Salamander

“Save Salado Creek” is a community association that is working to stop these permits from being approved. These permits will allow unsafe levels of chemicals to be left in the processed waste water.