341.011. Please click here to see any active alerts. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. Bastrop County has adopted the TCEQ rules from Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285 . (h) For purposes of Subsection (g), a system for labeling or color coding hydrants may include the assignment of different colors to identify hydrants that are available for direct pumping, hydrants that are available for filling a water tank on a fire truck used for fire suppression services, and hydrants that are unavailable for use by an entity providing fire suppression services in a fire emergency. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. (f) A person may use, maintain, and repair a pool or spa that was in compliance with the laws of this state on August 31, 2021, and related mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in accordance with the laws applicable to the pool or system on that date. Sec. Impermeable materials, such as concrete and asphalt, should not be laid on top of a drainfield because they reduce evaporation and the supply of oxygen to the soil. (c) Standards and rules adopted by the commission under this chapter governing public drinking water supply systems do not apply to a person: (1) who harvests rainwater for domestic use; and. (b) A civil or administrative penalty payable to the state that is collected from a utility for a violation of this subchapter shall be deposited in the account. (9) "Toilet" means the hopper device for the deposit and discharge of human excreta into a water carriage system. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation. Some states maintain a statewide database with information at the county level. Septic systems maintenance and inspection guide for new homeowners 76, Sec. For more information about the permit process as well as a link to find local permitting authorities, go here. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Sept. 1, 1995. Sec. It is likely your system is close to its useful lifespan. (a) A public water supply system shall stop operations on receipt of a written notification of the executive director of the commission or an order of the commission issued under this section. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. Sec. 76, Sec. (b) In a public place or an establishment catering to the public, a common drinking cup may not be used. 3, eff. (b-1) The commission by rule may adopt and implement rules providing for the inspection and annual testing of a graywater or alternative onsite water system by the commission. Avoid steep slopes and areas of dense tree roots or other obstructions. 6Requires vegetation cover and disinfection. However, the law allows the Commission to designate a local authority, when there is one, to handle the above tasks. 1073), Sec. September 1, 2013. Check with your local municipality in the event they also require additional permits to install your system. (2) is an immediate danger to the health, life, or safety of any person. PROTECTION OF IMPOUNDED WATER FROM DISEASE-BEARING MOSQUITOES. (j) A comb or hairbrush used by two or more persons may not be permitted or distributed in a bathhouse of a public swimming pool or of an artificial swimming lagoon. (a) In this section, "direct potable reuse" means the introduction of treated reclaimed municipal wastewater either: (1) directly into a public water system; or. 219), Sec. Well Drilling and Pump Installing Technical Guidance - Texas.gov The ultimate purpose of these Texas septic system regulations is to protect the public from environmental hazards, necessitating inspections throughout the process. 678, Sec. Some properties can be served by a conventional gravity septic tank and drainfield, while others may require advanced technologies for wastewater treatment or alternate drainfields like low pressure pipe or drip distribution systems. Sometimes these vents can become obstructed and clogged (from leaves, debris, etc.) Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. Option 1 - All waste could go into a holding tank and either be land-applied or taken to a wastewater treatment plant. (2) ensure that water treated by a desalination facility meets the requirements of Section 341.031 and rules adopted under that section. Report to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (pdf) (5.54 MB) Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems: A Program Strategy (pdf) (1.53 MB) For more information, contact the state of interest. If you live in a rural area, there is a high likelihood your home is served by a septic system. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. (b-2) A person who installs and maintains rainwater harvesting systems that are connected to a public water supply system and are used for potable purposes must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners as a master plumber or journeyman plumber and hold an endorsement issued by the board as a water supply protection specialist. (B) post with the commission a supersedeas bond in a form approved by the commission for the amount of the penalty to be effective until all judicial review of the order or decision is final. (e) A building custodian or janitor employed full-time shall know the fundamentals of safety and school sanitation. Renumbered from Health and Safety Code Sec. Sec. EPAs Quick Tip Video explains which items not to put down the toilet. Sept. 1, 1993. (b) The environmental health officer must be a registered professional engineer. Texas Septic Tank Requirements. 1, eff. 2430), Sec. 821 (H.B. When you need help with septic tanks, drain fields, or . (c) If it is shown on a trial of the defendant that the defendant has been convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) within a year before the date on which the offense being tried occurred, the subsequent offense under Subsection (a) is a Class B misdemeanor. 1010, Sec. 968), Sec. EPA does not make recommendations on individual septic system products. 341.036. 1.023, eff. MOSQUITO CONTROL ON UNINHABITED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Bastrop County is the "authorized" agent for the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ). (e) Material and human excreta removed from a privy vault or from any other place shall be handled in a manner that does not create a public health nuisance. 861 (H.B. If a sanitary defect continues after the expiration of a reasonable time provided to correct the defect, the commission shall notify the common carrier not to receive drinking water at the watering point involved. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT. 678, Sec. (2) all public utilities serving the residential area are complying with the standards required by this section. (1) The minimum working capacity of a septic tank shall be the greater of 3 600 L and, (a) in residential occupancies, twice the daily design sanitary sewage flow, or. (2) environmental standards that relate to the health and safety of the employees of industrial establishments in this state. The material and human excreta may not be deposited within 300 feet of a highway unless buried or treated in accordance with the instructions of the local health authority or the department. (d) The department shall survey industrial establishments to study industrial health and sanitation issues, including water supplies and distribution, waste disposal, and adverse conditions caused by processes that may cause ill health of industrial workers. 1086), Sec. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a municipality, county, or other local health authority may abate, without notice, a public health nuisance under Section 341.011(7) that: (1) is located on residential property that is reasonably presumed to be abandoned or that is uninhabited due to foreclosure; and. Where to Put Your Septic Tank: A Complete Guide If you are unsure, ask your local septic system professional. Only manufacturers previously approved by El Paso County On-site Sewage . (a) Public drinking water must be free from deleterious matter and must comply with the standards established by the commission or the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1, eff. 341.049. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. Before an on-site sewage facility (OSSF), or septic system, can be constructed, installed, altered, extended, or repaired, the site must first be evaluated by a licensed site evaluator or a licensed professional engineer (b-5) A municipality or the owner or operator of a public water supply system may not be held liable for any adverse health effects allegedly caused by the consumption of water collected by a rainwater harvesting system that uses a public water supply system or an auxiliary water source and is used for potable purposes if the municipality or the public water supply system is in compliance with the sanitary standards for drinking water adopted by the commission and applicable to the municipality or public water supply system. Sec. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. Sept. 1, 1989. 1, eff. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. Yard Drainage Compnay (b) Kitchen waste, laundry waste, or sewage may not be allowed to accumulate in, discharge into, or flow into a public place, gutter, street, or highway. GARBAGE, REFUSE, AND OTHER WASTE. Basics for Septic Systems On-site sewage facilities, or OSSFs, must be designed on the basis of a site evaluation that accounts for local conditions. 948 (S.B. The tank is a watertight device capable of storing several days of wastewater generated in the residence. 821 (H.B. LOMR for West Little York Bridge over Bear Creek. 821 (H.B. | TRAIL Statewide Archive A system is chosen based on the characteristics of your propertys soil. (e) Water in an interactive water feature or fountain may not show an acid reaction to a standard pH test. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2022 Fire Code and Permits Fee Schedule. 678, Sec. (10) "Tourist court" means a camping place or group of two or more mobile or permanent housing units operated as rental property for the use of transient trade or trailer units housing humans. (3) is within 200 miles of the Gulf of Mexico. Monday-Friday hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except holidays) Marble Falls office 2643 N. Wirtz Dam Road Marble Falls, TX 78654 Monday-Friday hours: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 to 3 p.m. (except holidays) How to reach us Phone: 512-578-3216 or 800-776-5272, ext. (b) The commission shall adopt rules to: (1) allow water treated by a desalination facility to be used as public drinking water; and. by the owners of the septic system themselves. The frequency of pumping the septic tank depends on the tank size, number of people in the household, habits of water use as well as the amount of solids accumulated in the tank. (f) On the department's request, or as otherwise provided by this chapter, the attorney general shall institute and conduct a suit in the name of the state for injunctive relief, to recover a civil penalty, or for both injunctive relief and civil penalty. Native grasses and ground covers are the most appropriate planting over your drainfield. (b) The governing body of a municipality by ordinance may adopt standards set by the commission under Subsection (c) requiring a utility to maintain a minimum sufficient water flow and pressure to fire hydrants in a residential area located in the municipality or the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction. In general, an inspection will involve the following: Review of the system permit, design, and installation records (including system age), Review of the septic tank pumping and system maintenance records, Opening and inspecting all tanks (septic tank, pump tank, distribution box), Evaluating the septic tank sludge and scum levels and determining the need to pump, Assessing the condition of the septic tank effluent filter (if installed), Looking for signs of leakage, such as low water levels in the tank, Looking for signs of backup, such as staining in the tank above the outlet pipe, Evaluating the integrity of the tank, inlet and outlet pipes and looking for signs of corrosion, Verifying all electrical connections, pumps, controls, and wiring are intact, Possibly using a camera to look at solid pipes and leach lines for blockages or collapsed piping, Evaluating the drainfield for signs of system failure, such as standing water (surfacing) or unequal drainage, Possibly excavating parts of the drainfield to look for signs of ponding in the system or groundwater impacting the drainfield, Examining the distribution box for structural integrity and to make sure drain lines are receiving equal flow. RODENT CONTROL. sand filters not described in 285.32(b)(2). FINANCIAL ASSURANCE FOR CERTAIN SYSTEMS. EPA Septic Systems Guidance, Policy, and Regulations, TX Department of Licensing and Regulations Sanitarian Registration Program, Site Help | Disclaimer | Site Policies | Accessibility | Website Archive | Our Compact with Texans | TCEQ Homeland Security If your drainfield is more than 25 to30 years old, the natural biomat that forms in the bottom of the trenches or beds can thicken and reduce the ability of the drainfield to properly discharge the wastewater into the ground. (3) both injunctive relief and a civil penalty. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. June 15, 2017. (a) A person may not cause, suffer, allow, or permit a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter. 678, Sec. 341.012. 278 0 obj <>stream (c) In this section, abatement is limited to the treatment with a mosquito larvicide of stagnant water in which mosquitoes are breeding. The amount of the fees must be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs of administering the programs and services in this subchapter or the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. (3) "Residential area" has the meaning assigned by Section 341.0358. June 20, 2003. Sealy, Texas 77474 Phone: 979 . 18, eff. (d) A person using or permitting the use of land as a public dump shall provide for the covering or incineration of all animal or vegetable matter deposited on the land and for the disposition of other waste materials and rubbish to eliminate the possibility that those materials and rubbish might be a breeding place for insects or rodents. 678, Sec. September 1, 2013. (2) any other method that does not create a public health nuisance. That our septic system was approved is a true testimony to Marc for his expertise of being #1 in the septic tank world of going #2! (2) Every septic tank shall be constructed in such a manner that . Septic tanks should be placed away from areas subject to flooding and surface water ponding. 1, eff. The OSSF serves a single family residence on a tract of land that is at least 10 acres in size; it does not create a nuisance or pollute 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 residence is the only . 341.092. (10) "Tourist court" means a camping place or group of two or more mobile or permanent housing units operated as rental property for the use of . 341.035(e) by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. (c) A customer who uses a toilet facility as authorized by this section shall leave the toilet facility in the same condition as it was before the customer used the toilet facility. 742, Sec. 1902), Sec. 6.22, eff. (h) Bathing suits and towels furnished to bathers shall be thoroughly washed with soap and hot water and thoroughly rinsed and dried after each use. The owner of the system (i.e., the homeowner, property owner, homeowners association, or other responsible management entity) is responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, and upkeep of the system, including repairs or replacement. June 15, 2017. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 9), Sec. 678, Sec. A permit is also required to conduct OSSF Permit - Harris County, Texas September 1, 2007. 11.14, eff. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT. (e) An owner, operator, or manager of a tourist court, hotel, inn, or rooming house shall maintain sanitary appliances located in the facility in good repair. Emergency repairs are defined in 30 TAC Subchapter D, 285.35. (d) An ordinance under Subsection (b) may not require a utility to build, retrofit, or improve infrastructure in existence at the time the ordinance is adopted. (e) The public water supply system may not resume operations until the commission, the executive director, or a court authorizes the resumption. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 122 (H.B. has had no significant increase in its use. 1, eff. (c) A person who repairs or tests the installation or operation of backflow prevention assemblies must hold a license issued by the commission under Chapter 37, Water Code. 1, eff. April 2, 2015. 76, Sec. The average cost for a gravity septic system is $1,500 to $4,000. 341.0356. Sec. 341.018. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. September 1, 2011. (b) An owner, agent, manager, operator, or other person in charge of a water supply system that furnishes water for public or private use may not knowingly furnish contaminated drinking water to a person or allow the appliances of the water supply system to become unsanitary. In this chapter: (1) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. If you or others have been exposed to untreated wastewater, contact your health professional. Texas Septic Tanks Approval Requirements: 2 Compartment Tanks Across the United States and Canada there are a number of health code requirements that our tanks must meet. Use the table below to determine which systems are suitable (S=Suitable, U=Unsuitable) for a property based on the results of the site evaluation. constructed with perforated pipe and gravel. A typical septic tank and drainfield will consist of a 12x8 foot septic tank and a drainfield. 392 (H.B. Drinking water from groundwater wells and from surface water sources can be contaminated by untreated wastewater and require filtration and disinfection to remain potable. repairs on a septic system and any expansion or alteration of an existing septic system. 3661), Sec. AUTHORITY OF HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITIES NOT AFFECTED. 2, eff. September 1, 2015. (c) Waste products, offal, polluting material, spent chemicals, liquors, brines, garbage, rubbish, refuse, used tires, or other waste of any kind may not be stored, deposited, or disposed of in a manner that may cause the pollution of the surrounding land, the contamination of groundwater or surface water, or the breeding of insects or rodents. ft. - minimum of 900 Gallons Tank. 2781), Sec. 341.050. 4, eff. The permit(s) may also have additional information on your system, such as the date of installation, soil properties, etc. 3.0867, eff. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. Renumbered from Health and Safety Code Sec. 606 (S.B. 2781), Sec. Sept. 1, 1989. Select from the list below to view frequent questions in each category: Yes. 333, Sec. Williamson County Engineer's Office has been authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to administer the On-site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Program. Statistics show that close to PDF Waste from Grease Traps, Grit Traps, and Septic Tanks Sept. 1, 1989. 519 (S.B. 386 (H.B. All penalties accruing under this subchapter are cumulative of all other remedies, and a suit for recovery of any penalty does not bar or affect the recovery of any other penalty or bar any criminal prosecution against a person or any officer, director, agent, or employee of that person. 341.0485. is a method that disposes of secondary treated effluent onto the surface of the ground after. (e) Money used under Subsection (c)(2) may not be considered as invested capital of the utility for any purpose. Sod Replacement ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE. Select a septic business below to find out what services . (e) On the commission's request, the attorney general shall institute a suit in the name of the state for injunctive relief, to recover a civil penalty, or for both injunctive relief and civil penalty. Household Wastewater: Septic Systems and Other Treatment - MU Extension 2If the slope in the drainfield area is greater than 30% or is complex, the area is unsuitable for the disposal method. Home and property owners can use their, EPA does not have a database of septic systems throughout the U.S. because they are regulated at the state and local level. Getting a Permit for an On-Site Sewage Facility - Such as a Septic System Permitting for on-site sewage facilities producing 5,000 gallons per day or less of domestic sewage, including septic systems, pump-out stations, holding tanks, and hauling systems. (c) The comptroller shall manage the account for the benefit of the commission and shall invest the money and deposit interest and other investment proceeds in the account. However, it is not only when you are buying a home that these inspections are needed. Your home's location also can help you figure out if you have a septic system. (e) A municipality with a population of less than 1.9 million that adopts standards under Subsection (b) or that seeks to use a utility's water for fire suppression shall enter into a written memorandum of understanding with the utility to provide for: (f) A municipality may notify the commission of a utility's failure to comply with a standard adopted under Subsection (b). A variety of publications and organizations have assessed the impacts and effectiveness of different kinds of additives. Regular inspections ensure you and your family do not get sick due to a leak or other problems with your septic system. Aug. 12, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Choosing a Septic System (On-Site Sewage Facility System) - Texas (a) In this section: (1) "Municipal utility" means a retail public utility, as defined by Section 13.002, Water Code, that is owned by a municipality. TOILET FACILITIES. It is important to save your systems yearly schedule or maintenance records. The system may then be used as intended. 1010, Sec. Tom Green County 346 (H.B. Concrete Driveway contains the rules for the OSSF permitting. June 14, 2013. SWIMMING POOLS, ARTIFICIAL SWIMMING LAGOONS, AND BATHHOUSES. Failing to use sound, professional judgment in performing their jobs. 1, eff. DRINKING WATER PROVIDED BY COMMON CARRIER. If the OSSF is grand-fathered or exempt from permitting requirements, then you don't need a permit. (b) A school building must be properly ventilated and provided with an adequate supply of drinking water, an approved sewage disposal system, hand-washing facilities, a heating system, and lighting facilities that conform to established standards of good public health engineering practices. consists of small diameter pressurized lines containing pressure reducing emitters spaced at a maximum of 30 inches. It is not recommended to plant trees, shrubs, or vegetable gardens on the drainfield. 678, Sec. 1 (S.B. SANITATION OF ICE PLANTS. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Sec. 4. (5) "Person" means an individual, corporation, organization, government, business trust, partnership, association, or any other legal entity. Sept. 1, 1997. Vegetables can potentially be exposed to sewage effluent and unsafe to consume. Isolation distances from septic tanks to property lines are typically part of local or state permitting regulations. 1, eff. 1, eff. are sized and constructed in accordance with 285.33(d)(3). 6. April 2, 2015. (a) In this section, "hydrant" means: (A) has the appearance of a fire hydrant; and. Why Do You Have An Aerobic Septic System? - Snowden Onsite (See the OSSF advice web page). are sized and constructed in accordance with 285.33(c)(2). Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. must be designed by a professional engineer or professional sanitarian. fifty thousand new septic systems have been granted approval in recent years. (d) Not later than the 10th day after the date on which the preliminary report is issued, the executive director of the commission shall give written notice of the report to the person charged with the violation. Permitting for on-site sewage facilities producing 5,000 gallons per day or less of domestic sewage, including septic systems, pump-out stations, holding tanks, and hauling systems. 219), Sec. 1, Sec. and those associated with the development and production of oil or gas already regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas are also exempt. This sort of system works with gravity and the surrounding soil to provide waste removal. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. (c) A privy may not be constructed within 75 feet of a drinking water well or of a human habitation, other than a habitation to which the privy is appurtenant, without approval by the local health authority or the department. For example, for some septic systems a mound or small hill is created for the installation of the drainfield. May 27, 2003. 1010, Sec. Dog Kennel and Vet Clinic Wastewater Treatment - Onsite Installer (a) Human excreta in a populous area shall be disposed of through properly managed sewers, treatment tanks, chemical toilets, or privies constructed and maintained in conformity with the department's specifications, or by other methods approved by the department. Box 220 2, eff. 12, eff. 353, Sec. The overgrowth of algae consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants. September 1, 2019. On-Site Sewage Facility | City of Amarillo, TX | Texas Veterans Portal June 15, 2017. 1, eff. Once you learn these basic skills, you must pass an exam to earn certification. 2, eff. 130, Sec. Also, place the septic tank where it is accessible for future inspections and pump outs. (g) Notwithstanding Subsection (b)(2), this section does not affect the authority of the executive commissioner to adopt rules regarding pool operation and management, water quality, safety standards unrelated to design and construction, signage, and enclosures. (e) The department shall give each surveyed establishment a summary of the studies and findings under Subsection (d) and make necessary recommendations for the adequate protection of the health, safety, and well-being of the workers. With a few exceptions, a permit is required to install a septic system in Texas. 7. Projects associated with single-family residence or manufactured homes.. Find information about permits for construction and remodeling projects outside corporate city limits in Travis County, such as: The state of Texas requires a permit (With some exceptions though) for the majority of the septic tank installations. 880, Sec. all parts of the OSSF are at least 100 feet from the property line, the effluent is disposed of on the property, and. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. (1) install plumbing in new housing in a manner that provides the capacity to collect graywater or alternative onsite water from all allowable sources; and. (2) into a raw water supply immediately before the water enters a drinking water treatment plant. 2, eff. 341.039. However, there may be some systems that you, the property owner, can't buy because they must be installed by a factory representative. This subsection does not waive a municipality's immunity under Subchapter I, Chapter 271, Local Government Code, or any other law and does not create any liability on the part of a municipality or utility under a joint enterprise theory of liability. Sept. 1, 1997. 1768), Sec. Sec. (C) a subdivision a majority of the lots of which are subject to deed restrictions limiting the lots to residential use. 341.063. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (j) A county, a municipality, or the department may by order close, for the period specified in the order, an interactive water feature or fountain if the operation of the fountain or water feature violates this section or a permitting or inspection requirement imposed under Subsection (i).