Kaufman County staff presented a workshop on the county’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) stormwater pollution prevention plan and described a proactive multi‑year program of inspections, education and coordination with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Environmental and inspections staff said the county submitted its MS4 permit materials to TCEQ after deciding not to seek a waiver; staff cited changes in TCEQ guidance and the county’s population growth as reasons to move forward now. Jeremy Mungin, an engineer on the project, explained that stormwater runoff carries sediment, trash, oils and other pollutants into surface waters and that local construction‑site practices—silt fencing, inlet protection, concrete washouts and stabilized construction entrances—are common points of noncompliance that can harm impaired water bodies including the Trinity and Cedar Creek.

Staff said the county will rely on a mix of site inspections, SWIP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention) plan reviews, complaint response and community education. While TCEQ remains the enforcement authority, the county said it will act as “boots on the ground” to identify violations, require corrective actions, and refer persistent noncompliance to TCEQ. Staff said they plan to track site notices of intent/termination and to monitor historical water‑quality data.

The county also announced it has developed a fee schedule to recover the cost of reviews and inspections; staff said the fee schedule would be presented to commissioners for consideration next week. Commissioners responded positively and asked staff to proceed with education and enforcement coordination.