In Texas, upon determining that a reportable discharge or spill
has occurred, the responsible person must notify the state. The
threshold quantity that triggers the requirement to report a spill
is called the reportable quantity (RQ). The
reportable quantity depends on the type of substance released and
where released (e.g. into water vs. on land); different kinds of
spills are subject to different provisions of state and federal
rules.
|
Kind of spill
|
Where discharged
|
Reportable quantity
|
Rule, statute, or responsible
agency
|
|
Hazardous substance
|
onto land
|
“Final RQ” in Table 302.4 in
40 CFR 302.4 (PDF) 
|
30 TAC 327
|
|
into water
|
“Final RQ” or 100 lbs, whichever
is less
|
|
Any oil
|
coastal waters
|
as required by the Texas General Land Office
|
Texas
General Land Office
|
|
Crude oil, oil that is neither a petroleum product nor used
oil
|
onto land
|
210 gallons (five barrels)
|
30 TAC 327
|
|
directly into water
|
enough to create a sheen
|
|
Petroleum product, used oil
|
onto land, from an exempt PST facility
|
210 gallons (five barrels)
|
30 TAC 327
|
|
onto land, or onto land from a non-exempt PST
facility
|
25 gallons
|
|
directly into water
|
enough to create a sheen
|
|
Associated with the exploration, development and production of
oil, gas, or geothermal resources
|
under the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission
of Texas
|
as required by the Railroad Commission of
Texas
|
Railroad
Commission of Texas
|
|
Industrial solid waste or other substances
|
into water
|
100 lbs
|
30 TAC 327
|
|
From petroleum storage tanks, underground or aboveground
|
into water
|
enough to create a sheen on water
|
30 TAC 334.75-81
|
|
From petroleum storage tanks, underground or aboveground
|
onto land
|
25 gallons or equal to the RQ under
40 CFR 302
|
30 TAC 327
|
|
Other substances that may be useful or valuable and are not
ordinarily considered to be waste, but will cause pollution if
discharged into water in the state
|
into water
|
100 lbs
|
30 TAC 327
|
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