Texas Septic Maintenance: Permits, Pumping, and Maintenance Contracts

A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF. TCEQ is not often the OSSF permitting authority. If you are applying for an OSSF within TCEQ jurisdiction, you may use this application and submit to your TCEQ Regional Office’s OSSF Program. What are some tips I can follow if my OSSF is failing or when I have an OSSF installed. ## Is a permit always required? A permit is required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. Always check with your local permitting authority . Local permitting programs can be more stringent than State minimums. An OSSF may be exempt from permitting if it complies with all other requirements, including planning, construction, and installation standards of 30 TAC 285 AND meets the “10 acre rule”: - the property receives a site evaluation conducted by a TCEQ licensed Site Evaluator or a Professional Engineer (PE), - serves a single family dwelling on a tract of land that is 10 acres or larger, - is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater, - all parts of the OSSF are at least 100 feet from the property line, - the effluent is disposed of on the property, AND - the single family dwelling is the only dwelling located on the tract of land. A permit is also not required for emergency repairs (replacing tank lids, inlet and outlet devices, repairing risers and riser caps, repairing or replacing disinfection devices, repairing damaged drip irrigation tubing, repair of solid lines, and ETC.), but they must be reported to the permitting authority in writing within 72 hours after repairs have begun. Emergency repairs are defined in 30 TAC Subchapter D, 285.35

It is recommended that you pump your septic tank every three to five years to prevent short circuiting of the treatment process.

For aerobic treatment units, it depends on the depth of sludge and manufacturer's recommendations.

Submit a report to the permitting authority and owner at least once every four months [see 30 TAC §285.90(3) for a sample report]; The reporting frequency may be reduced to once every six months if the system uses an electronic monitor, automatic radio or telephone to notify the maintenance provider of your system or component failure and to monitor the amount of disinfection in the system; The maintenance provider is responsible for ensuring that the electronic monitoring and automatic radio or telephone access systems are working properly. Your report must include all responses to property owner complaints and electronic monitoring notices; Your report must be submitted within 14 days after the test is performed.