Contact:  Luke Olson, City Administrator

City of Parker, Texas

Phone:  (972) 442-6811

Parker, Texas – The Cities of Parker, Murphy, the North Texas Municipal Water District and a multitude of residents have scored a major victory with a major set back in the efforts of Restore the Grasslands to construct a small wastewater treatment plant that would discharge into Maxwell Creek.  Parker’s efforts date back to 2021 when Restore the Grasslands first sought an application for a discharge permit.  

            In February 2023, an Administrative Law with the State Office of Administrative Hearings heard testimony from Parker and others successfully argued that the application for a wastewater treatment plant violated the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s rules for approval such applications.  The staff for the TCEQ disagreed with Parker and others and recommended approval of the permit.  Today, the Administrative Judge agreed with Parker and others proposing a decision that TCEQ deny the application of Restore the Grasslands to discharge into Maxwell Creek.  Parker Mayor Lee Pettle stated, “This decision validates what the City has been saying for years.  I am ecstatic by this decision. There has been a lot of hard work by many people and groups.”

            While this decision is not final, the City feels that it will be upheld.   Parker City Administrator stated, “This decision will ultimately need to be approved by the TCEQ.  However, we believe we are right on the law and the evidence.  We will continue to fight this until a final decision of denial is voted on by the TCEQ.”   The City anticipates that the TCEQ will consider a final decision on the issue this summer.