Home / Texas / SW3P, SWP3 and SWPPP: the same plan

What is an SW3P in Texas?

SW3P is another way of writing SWP3, the stormwater pollution prevention plan required by TCEQ's Construction General Permit TXR150000 for construction that disturbs one acre or more. SWPPP is the same plan under its national name. TCEQ's permit and template use "SWP3"; contract documents and local specifications sometimes say "SW3P". TCEQ

Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Prepared by our team led by Mohamed Elansary, PhD. We are not a licensed engineering firm and do not seal plans. General information, not legal advice; the permit text controls.

Same document, three spellings

SWP3	Term used in TXR150000 and TCEQ's template RG-639. RG-639
SW3P	An alternative abbreviation of the same words (storm water pollution prevention plan) seen in specifications and bid documents. The requirements are those of the permit that covers the site.
SWPPP	The common national name, used for example in EPA's Construction General Permit. EPA

Whatever a contract calls it, a Texas construction site's plan has to meet TXR150000 Part III. TXR150000 Part III

When a Texas site needs one

Disturbed area	TCEQ class	Key obligations
Under 1 acre, not part of a larger common plan of 1+ acres	Not regulated by the CGP	No CGP coverage needed. TCEQ
1 to under 5 acres (or part of a common plan in that range)	Small construction activity	SWP3 before work; post Form 20963 at least 2 days before work; copy to MS4 operator 2 days before; no NOI. TXR150000 Part II.E.2
5 acres or more (or part of a 5+ acre common plan)	Large construction activity	SWP3 before coverage; primary operator files NOI in STEERS before work; post Form 20961 or 20962. TXR150000 Part II.E.3

What the plan must include

Site or project description: nature of the work, potential pollutants and sources, schedule or sequence of soil-disturbing activities with start dates and durations, total acres and disturbed acres (including support activities), and soil or discharge-quality data. TXR150000 Part III.F.1
A general location map and detailed site map(s) showing property boundaries, drainage patterns and slopes before and after grading, disturbed areas and phasing, all controls and buffers, stabilization areas, support activities, nearby surface waters (including wetlands, and whether they are impaired), discharge points to waters or an MS4, vehicle wash areas and exits onto paved roads. TXR150000 Part III.F.1(f)-(g)
Names of receiving waters, a copy of (or link to) the permit, and the NOI and acknowledgement (large sites) or the site notice (small sites and secondary operators). TXR150000 Part III.F.1(i)-(k)
A description of BMPs with the timing or sequence of installation: erosion control and stabilization practices, sediment controls, permanent stormwater controls and other required controls such as tracking, materials storage and velocity dissipation. TXR150000 Part III.F.2-4
Consistency with approved local sediment and erosion plans, maintenance requirements, dewatering evaluations, and inspection procedures. TXR150000 Part III.F.5-8

If your contract asks for an "SW3P"

Check whether the owner's specification adds items beyond the permit (for example, specific details or a format). The SWP3 must also be consistent with approved local sediment and erosion plans. TXR150000 Part III.F.5
Confirm who the operators are. Primary operators with control over plans and specifications and those with day-to-day control each have responsibilities under Part III.B. TXR150000 Part III.B
Large sites: the NOI must be filed in STEERS before construction; small sites post Form 20963. TCEQ

What this page does not cover

Highway department specifications (for example TxDOT standard specifications), which may impose their own SW3P requirements, and sites outside Texas.

Have it written for you

SWPPP Desk prepares site-specific SWPPPs from your drawings for construction sites in the states we cover (coverage by state), for a fixed price, delivered the next business day after your inputs are complete. Small site (1 to under 5 acres): $449. Large site (5 acres or more): $749. Background: all guides.

Small site: $449 Large site: $749