In 1991, The Texas Legislature passed the Texas Clean Rivers Act [Senate Bill 818]. The Act was intended to move Texas toward comprehensive water resources planning and management to ensure the integrity of the State's water supply over the long term.

The Clean Rivers Act requires an ongoing assessment of water quality issues and management strategies statewide to guide Texas water resources policy and decision-making into the 21st century. The Act established the Texas Clean Rivers Program under the Texas Water Commission (now the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or TCEQ, after TWC's merger with the Texas Air Control Board in 1992). The program is funded by fees assessed on wastewater discharge permittees and water rights holders as well as through TCEQ's own State appropriations.

Clean Rivers Program Overview Document
Objectives of the Clean Rivers Program
Clean Rivers Program Video
Clean Rivers Program Roles