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What goes into a SWPPP plan for a Texas construction site?

A Texas SWPPP plan (called a SWP3 by TCEQ) must describe the site and the work, map the drainage and controls, list potential pollutants, describe erosion, sediment and pollution prevention BMPs with their timing, and set out inspection and maintenance procedures. TXR150000 Part III.F sets the minimum contents. TXR150000 Part III.F

This is a general guide. It uses the Texas permit, TXR150000, as the worked example. Requirements differ by state: check the construction general permit that covers your site, or EPA 2022 CGP where EPA is the permitting authority.

Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Prepared by our team led by Mohamed Elansary, PhD. We are not a licensed engineering firm and do not seal plans. General information, not legal advice; the permit text controls.

Checklist of required contents

Site or project description: nature of the work, potential pollutants and sources, schedule or sequence of soil-disturbing activities with start dates and durations, total acres and disturbed acres (including support activities), and soil or discharge-quality data. TXR150000 Part III.F.1
A general location map and detailed site map(s) showing property boundaries, drainage patterns and slopes before and after grading, disturbed areas and phasing, all controls and buffers, stabilization areas, support activities, nearby surface waters (including wetlands, and whether they are impaired), discharge points to waters or an MS4, vehicle wash areas and exits onto paved roads. TXR150000 Part III.F.1(f)-(g)
Names of receiving waters, a copy of (or link to) the permit, and the NOI and acknowledgement (large sites) or the site notice (small sites and secondary operators). TXR150000 Part III.F.1(i)-(k)
A description of BMPs with the timing or sequence of installation: erosion control and stabilization practices, sediment controls, permanent stormwater controls and other required controls such as tracking, materials storage and velocity dissipation. TXR150000 Part III.F.2-4
Consistency with approved local sediment and erosion plans, maintenance requirements, dewatering evaluations, and inspection procedures. TXR150000 Part III.F.5-8

Site map items

The detailed site map(s) must show: property boundaries; drainage patterns and approximate slopes before and after major grading; areas of soil disturbance and phasing; locations of all controls and buffers; stabilization locations; construction support activities (including off-site); surface waters and wetlands at, adjacent to or near the site and whether they are impaired; discharge points to surface water or an MS4; vehicle wash areas; and vehicle exits onto paved roads. "Near" means receiving waters within the site and within one mile downstream. TXR150000 Part III.F.1(g)

BMP descriptions

Erosion control and stabilization practices with a schedule, and records of major grading dates, dates activities cease and dates stabilization starts. TXR150000 Part III.F.2(b)
Sediment controls with timing. Drainage areas with 10+ acres disturbed at one time need a sedimentation basin where feasible (sized for the 2-year, 24-hour storm, or 3,600 cubic feet per acre drained), plus perimeter controls; under 10 acres, silt fence, vegetative buffers or equivalent on downslope boundaries at minimum. TXR150000 Part III.F.2(c)
Permanent stormwater controls, vehicle tracking, materials storage, velocity dissipation at discharge points, and dewatering controls. TXR150000 Part III.F.3-4

Operations sections

Maintenance rules (including removing sediment before it reaches 50% of a silt fence's above-ground height or 50% of a trap's capacity), dewatering evaluations, inspection procedures and frequency, allowable non-stormwater discharges, and pollution prevention. TXR150000 Part III.F.6-11

Signatures

The operator signs the plan and certifications. If signatory authority is delegated, the delegation notice to TCEQ goes in the SWP3. TXR150000 Part III.F.1(l)

A practical order to assemble it

Collect the civil, grading and erosion control sheets.
Confirm acreage class and operators.
Identify receiving waters and the MS4, and check impairment.
Lay out BMPs on the map with install triggers.
Write the sequence and tie BMPs to each phase.
Set the inspection schedule and print the logs.
Sign, post the site notice, and (large sites) file the NOI.

TCEQ's RG-639 template follows a similar order.

What this page does not cover

Engineering design of BMPs or sediment basins, local site development permits, and state rules other than Texas TXR150000.

Have it written for you

SWPPP Desk prepares site-specific SWPPPs from your drawings for construction sites in the states we cover (coverage by state), for a fixed price, delivered the next business day after your inputs are complete. Small site (1 to under 5 acres): $449. Large site (5 acres or more): $749. Background: all guides.

Small site: $449 Large site: $749