On September 14, 1998, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) received full authorization for the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program (TPDES). The purpose of this program is to reduce the discharge of pollutants into waterways to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP).

Cities were grouped into a phased approach for stormwater permitting. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) with a population of 100,000 or greater as of the 1990 Census were grouped into Phase I. The City of Harker Heights is an MS4 with a population of less than 100,000 as of the 1990 Census and was grouped into Phase II.

TCEQ issued the first Phase II MS4 General Permit in August 13, 2007. All Phase II cities operated under the General Permit until they developed their own Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). The SWMP covers all required Minium Control Measures (MCM) in the general permit at a level that meets the MEP for the permitted entity.

The City of Harker Heights has successfully complied with implementation of the following general permits:

Current MS4 Permit

The City’s current SWMP began on 09/23/25 and covers through 08/14/29. A copy of the SWMP is available for viewing on this website (Stormwater Management Plan).

Year 1 of the current permit was covered 09/23/2025 through 12/31/2025. The annual report will be posted on this website after it is submitted to the TCEQ.

Year 2 of the current permit (calendar year 2026) includes implementation of the Best Management Practices from previous permits and add the following new BMPs:

• MCM 1: Public Education and Outreach
  • Post a full copy of the current SWMP and annual report on the website.
  • Add electronic map of the Outfall and Receiving Waters to the website.
  • Update the City Ordinances to reflect the current composition of the Stormwater Committee.
  • Make a minimum of one post per quarter and all quarterly posts must be visible by attendees for the full year.
• MCM 2: Public Involvement and Participation
  • Develop and implement a tracking system to estimate what percentage of the intended audience is reached for determining BMP effectiveness.
• MCM 3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Determine priority areas and add to the City’s GIS map.
  • Add an electronic map or link an online mapper to City of Harker Heights’ Stormwater webpage.
  • Develop and implement a tracking system to estimate what percentage of the intended audience is reached for determining BMP effectiveness.
  • Publicize the hotline a minimum of two times annually in a method designed to reach the majority of the intended audience.
  • Select additional sampling and testing sites.
• MCM 4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
  • Review City Standard Details and SWP3 General Notes as related to the 2023 construction general permit and amend as needed.
  • Research stormwater inspection certifications for applicable City staff.
• MCM 5: Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
  • Develop a comprehensive description of the Post-Construction Stormwater Management Program.
• MCM 6: Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
  • Seek public input on city facilities and operations/maintenance of facilities relating to stormwater.
  • Develop and implement two new pollution prevention measures that will reduce the discharge of pollutants in stormwater from the MS4 owned operations.

STORMWATER RUNOFF

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater runoff from naturally soaking into the ground. 
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream or river. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharge untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.



STORMWATER Hotline
Report pollution in the City's stormwater system.
Monday - Thursday 7:00am -6:00pm Normal Business Hours: (254) 953-5649
Afterhours, holidays and weekend: (254) 319-4996


STORMWATER POLLUTION
Easy Ways to Protect our Water:
1. Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides
2. Properly use and dispose of hazardous products
3. Clean up after your pet
4. Don’t litter
5. Dispose of Yard Waste Properly


City Facility Operation and Maintenance
Report city operation failures in the storm water system call the Stormwater Hotline
Monday - Thursday 7:00am -6:00pm Normal Business Hours: (254) 953-5649
Afterhours, holidays and weekend: (254) 319-4996


STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Stormwater management practices help control nonpoint source pollution through the use of nonstructural and/or structural techniques to intercept surface runoff from developed areas, filter and treat this runoff, and then discharge it at a controlled rate. Stormwater quality is governed by the accumulation of pollutants on the entire surface area. As the use of chemicals around the homes increased, the more degraded the stormwater runoff from your property will be.

1. Limit the amount of impervious surfaces in your landscape.

2. Allow “thick” vegetation or “buffer strips” to grow alongside waterways to filter and slow runoff and soak up pollutants.

3. Plant trees, shrubs, and groundcover.