What must a surface water treatment plant have to ensure compliance with TCEQ standards?

To ensure compliance with TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) standards, a surface water treatment plant must implement continuous monitoring and alarm systems. These systems are crucial for maintaining water quality and safety, as they provide real-time data regarding various parameters such as turbidity, chlorine levels, pH, and more. Continuous monitoring allows operators to quickly identify any issues or deviations from regulatory standards, which is essential for preventing contamination and ensuring that the treated water is safe for public consumption.

Additionally, alarm systems play a vital role in alerting operators to malfunctions or when monitored parameters exceed safe limits, allowing for immediate corrective actions. This level of monitoring and responsiveness is fundamental for maintaining compliance with environmental regulations and for safeguarding public health.

The other choices, while they may contribute to the overall operation of the facility, do not address the critical requirement to monitor water quality and respond to potential issues in real-time, which is the primary focus of TCEQ compliance.