Overview
In 2001, the 77th Legislature amended the Texas Water Code to require all persons who own or operate a poultry facility to implement and maintain a Water Quality Management Plan that is certified by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. The law requires poultry farms to have a certified WQMP prior to placing birds on the farm.
In 2009, the 81st Legislature added requirements for certain farms that could require an Odor Control Plan. Refer to the Senate Bill 1693 Summary for more information.
What is a WQMP?
A water quality management plan (WQMP) is a site-specific document indicating when, where, and how to implement conservation practices following standards in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Technical Guide. These plans are tailored to each landowner's conservation needs and management goals while ensuring adherence to state water quality laws.
Contact
For additional information call the TSSWCB Poultry Program at 936-462-7020, or send an e-mail to poultrytsswcb.texas.gov (poultry[at]tsswcb[dot]texas[dot]gov).
Best Management Practices
Poultry growers in 52 counties in Texas have received technical and/or financial assistance from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, through local soil and water conservation districts, to implement practices to abate non-point source pollution from their facilities. Some of those practices include: incinerators, composters, and freezers for mortality management, waste storage facilities for manure management, and nutrient management plans for proper land application of manure as fertilizer.