The Water Utilities Department’s Environmental Quality program is comprised of three distinct sections: Analytical Laboratory, Environmental Monitoring, and Watershed Management.

The Environmental Quality program was first implemented in 1987 as part of growing efforts to protect public health and the environment by utilizing environmental forensic practices. Its goal was to ensure compliance with all environmental regulations, perform responsible environmental management, and promote and educate these principles to our citizens. It originally consisted of overseeing the laboratory and monitoring pretreatment. The program grew to include Watershed Management and Environmental Monitoring.

The Watershed Management section was developed in 1990 in conjunction with the Lee Creek Project and is responsible for both the Lee Creek Watershed and the Frog Bayou Watershed.

Environmental Monitoring now oversees pretreatment and Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG). The FOG program was developed in 2016 as part of the City’s efforts to meet Consent Decree requirements.

Today, our Environmental Quality program stands as a model for other municipalities in the region.