This action provides funding in the amount of $750,000 to the houston galveston area council, texas to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 awarded $750,000 under the Geographic Programs - Gulf of America Program (CFDA 66.475) to the Houston Galveston Area Council on August 1, 2025, for a three-year project (completion date: July 31, 2028). This project grant supports water quality improvement initiatives in the Gulf of America watershed through the application of advanced microbial source tracking methods in tributaries to Galveston Bay. The primary deliverables include the collection and analysis of 400 water samples to assess fecal pathogens, conventional water quality parameters, and nutrients; identification of human fecal sources through microbial source tracking analysis; determination of pathogen transport mechanisms using hydrological tracers (radon-222 and water stable isotopes); and training of over 300 students in these methodologies.

The project generates actionable intelligence for city managers in Brazoria, Galveston, and Fort Bend Counties to prioritize wastewater infrastructure improvements in regions where on-site sewage facilities and traditional wastewater infrastructure are prevalent. Implementation activities, administered through subawards, include sample collection and processing, nutrient analyses, and research presentations. By leveraging innovative microbial source tracking methods rarely applied in water quality management, this project addresses non-regulatory collaborative approaches to protect and restore the health of the Gulf of America watershed while building regional technical capacity.

Description

This action provides funding in the amount of $750,000 to the houston galveston area council, texas to support their efforts with improving the water quality of the gulf of america. The purpose of this award is to use new microbial source tracking methods that are rarely applied by water quality managers. These methods will be used in tributaries to galveston BAY that are coupled to watersheds where wastewater infrastructure and on-site sewage facilities are common. Activities to be performed include collecting and analyzing 400 samples for fecal pathogens, conventional parameters, and nutrients. Human fecal sources will be identified for microbial source tracking and transport mechanisms will be identified using hydrological tracers such as radon-222 and water stable isotopes. Anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include collecting data that will help city managers prioritize their infrastructure improvements, training over 300 students, and collecting 400 samples. Direct beneficiaries include residents and communities in the texas counties of brazoria, galveston, and fort bend.activities:-subrecipient:activities to be implemented through subawards include collecting and processing samples, conducting research presentations, and nutrient analyses.outcomes:-