MSGP Annual DMR Deadline — March 31
Texas industrial facilities authorized under the TCEQ Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) are required to submit their Annual Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) by March 31 each year. These reports summarize stormwater monitoring data collected throughout the previous permit year and help confirm whether facilities are meeting required benchmarks or triggering additional corrective actions.
Because stormwater compliance relies on data accuracy, early preparation is critical — especially for facilities with multiple outfalls, significant industrial activity, or hazardous metals monitoring requirements.
Why the Annual DMR Matters
DMRs play a central role in stormwater compliance under the MSGP. They provide TCEQ with essential visibility into:
- Pollutant concentrations in stormwater discharges
- Benchmark exceedances
- Hazardous metals performance
- Numeric effluent limitations (if applicable)
- Corrective actions and follow-up monitoring
- Overall permit compliance
Submitting accurate, thorough data helps facilities maintain authorization under the permit — and reduces the risk of enforcement triggered by incomplete or error-prone reporting.
Key Steps for Preparing a Clean, Accurate DMR
To avoid last-minute stress, facilities should begin reviewing stormwater data ahead of time. Recommended steps include:
- Compile and Validate Monitoring Data: Organize sampling results for all required sectors, outfalls, and monitoring events. Ensure lab reports match internal records.
- Evaluate Benchmarks and Metals Requirements: Benchmark exceedances trigger increased monitoring and potential corrective actions. Metals (e.g., zinc, lead, copper) must be carefully evaluated to prevent reporting inconsistencies.
- Review Numeric Effluent Limits (NELs): If applicable, confirm whether discharges complied with NELs throughout the year.
- Confirm Sector-Specific Requirements: Each MSGP sector has unique standards — facilities should verify that monitoring frequency and parameters match their permit conditions.
- Prepare NetDMR Entries: Accurate entry of analytical data and “No Discharge” events is essential. Errors in NetDMR can delay submittal or trigger additional review.
How ESE Partners Supports MSGP DMR Compliance
ESE Partners works with industrial facilities across Texas to streamline stormwater reporting and reduce administrative burden. Our services include:
- Coordination of analytical sampling
- Monitoring data review and validation
- Benchmark and hazardous metals evaluations
- Comparison of analytical results to permit limits
- Corrective action guidance and documentation
- Preparation and submittal of NetDMR reports
- Long-term stormwater program support
Our goal is to ensure your DMR is accurate, complete, and fully compliant with MSGP requirements.
Why Preparing Early Matters
DMRs often require coordination across multiple teams — operations, environmental, lab vendors, and stormwater personnel. Preparing early allows time to:
- Collect missing samples
- Resolve discrepancies in monitoring data
- Validate sampling frequency and outfall coverage
- Identify benchmark exceedances early
- Prepare documentation for corrective actions
- Ensure NetDMR access and signatory roles are up to date
Early review leads to cleaner data, fewer errors, and a smoother submittal process.
Stay Ahead of the March 31 Deadline
With the deadline approaching, now is the ideal time to begin reviewing stormwater monitoring data and organizing your submittal. Whether you need help with detailed data evaluation or complete NetDMR management, ESE Partners is here to support your stormwater compliance program.
