Water and Wastewater Engineering Houston, Texas

What MES does in Houston

MES provides water and wastewater engineering for land developers, municipal utility districts (MUDs), municipalities and civil engineering firms in Houston. The work runs from early feasibility through design, permitting and construction support.

Typical work includes water and sewer lines, lift stations, wastewater treatment and reuse, and site civil plans for commercial sites.

For civil firms, MES can take on the water and wastewater scope of a larger job. See how we work with engineering firms.

How permitting and review work in Houston

Inside the city, public water, sewer, paving and drainage work follows the City of Houston Infrastructure Design Manual. Houston Public Works updates it on a regular review cycle.

Much of the growth around Houston is in unincorporated Harris County. There, the Harris County Office of the County Engineer handles development permits. The Harris County Flood Control District oversees the regional drainage system.

Outside city limits, water and sewer service often comes from a MUD. MUDs operate under Chapters 49 and 54 of the Texas Water Code. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reviews MUD creation and supervises district bonds.

Groundwater is limited too. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District regulates groundwater withdrawals in Harris and Galveston counties to reduce land subsidence.

TCEQ sets the state design rules for water (30 TAC Chapter 290) and wastewater (30 TAC Chapter 217). It issues TPDES permits for plants that discharge. Some sites can use a 210E reuse authorization instead.

Work nearby

MES has completed civil site plans for drive-up water kiosk sites across Houston, plus two in Katy. They are part of a multi-state kiosk site program. MES prepares each plan set and answers the review comments.

Common questions

Does my project qualify for a 210E authorization?

It depends on the waste streams and how the treated water will be reused. TCEQ's Chapter 210 rules set what is eligible. MES reviews the site and tells you early whether 210E, a TPDES permit or a sewer connection fits best.

Do you work with MUDs?

Yes. MES works with land developers and districts on water, sewer and treatment design. See our MUD developer partnership.

Is my site inside the City of Houston?

Check before design starts. A Houston mailing address does not always mean the site is in the city limits. City sites follow the Infrastructure Design Manual. Sites in unincorporated Harris County follow county rules. In the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), plats can also need City of Houston approval.