Texas state law mandates that all owners of Onsite Waste Water Treatment Plants (Aerobic Septic Systems) maintain a valid maintenance contract in force at all times. This contract provides periodic inspections of the system by a licensed inspector. These inspections and reports are to be done approximately every 120 days.

Failure to keep a Maintenance Contract for Inspections in force (TRA order R-1048-1) is a class C misdemeanor which can be punishable by fines of up to $500.00 a day.

Contracts must be renewed 30 days prior to expiration of the current contract. Failure to hold or renew your contract can result in legal action against the property owner as allowed by law. These are statutory fines that are mandated by state law. A copy of the current contract is required to be on file with the permitting authority. (Some counties have additional fines beyond the state fines.)

Maintenance contracts must be provided by a licensed maintenance company.

Each inspection is reported by the maintenance provider to the County and the State.

Each maintenance contract must be provided by an approved maintenance company holding a Class II OSSF or Class D license.

As much as we hate for the government to intrude in our lives, it is an unfortunate situation that MOST people would fail to keep their systems SAFE for their family and neighbors.

THIS IS MINIMALLY INVASIVE AND CHEAPER THAN
WHAT YOU WOULD PAY A MUNICIPAL SERVICE ( .54 CENTS A DAY)

UNITED SEPTIC will professionally provide this service for $200 a year.

WE WILL KEEP YOU COMPLIANT BY PROVIDING THE COUNTY AND STATE WITH YOUR
"CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE" EVERY 120 DAYS. THIS INCLUDES:

1. Install a laminated, weather proof, identification TAG and monthly schedule on the system at the beginning of each maintenance anniversary.

 

2. The laminated inspection tag will be punched at the time of each visit, to provide the owner with a record of the visit.

 

3. Inspect components of the system and note whether or not every component is working during each site visit.

   If a component is not operating properly, the property owner must have it repaired. If you have a MAINTENANCE CONTRACT (different than Inspection Contract), the component will likely be a covered item - and we will be responsible for the repair.
   

 

4. Check and observe the system for many things including:
   • Test the system Biochemical Oxygen Demand, and Total Suspended Solids
   • Total Chlorine Residual or Fecal Coliform Test
   • High Limit Activation Float Switch
   • Low Limit Activation Float Switch
   • Aerators
   • Filters
   • Irrigation Pumps
   • Recirculation Pumps
   • Disinfection Devices (Tablet or Liquid Chlorinator)
   • Chlorine Supply
   • Electrical Circuits
   • Distribution System
   • Spray Field - Vegetation, Height of Spray, Standing Water, Condition of Spray Heads

 

5. Submit a report to the permitting authority and YOU at least once every four months. This report has been done in the past on paper, however, our new reports are recorded with field computers. This allows us to keep better records of your system and to submit our reports to the State of Texas and your county promptly - as well as an emailed copy of our inspection to you - rather than the paper copies that most other companies use.

 

6. The report will include all responses to any of your concerns.
7. The report will be submitted well within the 14 days required by the state after the tests are performed.

 

8. Some of the items we inspect that are not required by Texas or your county:
   • Air Filters on your Aerator (clean if needed).
   • Ants and ant mounds, particularly around the Aerator.
   • Inspect and clean all electrical and mechanical components to ensure proper functionality.
   • In addition we check the sludge level in your holding tank.

 

• WE WILL CONTACT YOU BY EMAIL A FEW DAYS BEFORE YOUR INSPECTION.

 

• IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR YOU NEED US TO CHECK, LET US KNOW BY RETURN EMAIL OR A PHONE CALL.

 

• OUR VEHICLES HAVE SIGNS ON THEM, AND WE WILL RING YOUR DOORBELL - SO YOU WILL KNOW WE ARE THERE. HOWEVER, NO ONE NEEDS TO BE HOME.

 

• IF YOU HAVE A LOCKED GATE OR PROTECTIVE DOGS - AND YOUR SYSTEM IS IN THAT AREA - WE WILL TRY TO CONDUCT INSPECTION BY APPOINTMENT OR ON A SPECIFIC DAY.

 

• IF YOU HAVE A LIQUID CHLORINATOR, WE WILL TOP OFF YOUR UNIT WITH (UN-SCENTED) BLEACH. Simply Place It On Your Front Porch When We Come to Conduct Your Inspections.

 

What type of chlorine should I use for wastewater disinfection?

If you have a dispenser for tablets:

When disinfection of secondarily treated waste water effluent is required and you are using chlorine tablets, it is important that you use a chlorine tablet that is made from calcium hypochlorite and is certified for waste water disinfection by EPA. They are very reactive and will kill 99% of the bacteria present in the effluent within 10 minutes. Follow all warning and precaution statements of the chlorine tablet manufacturer to protect yourself and the system equipment.

If you have a liquid chlorinater:

Unscented Bleach. (Never use pool chlorine. Liquid or Tablets.)

WARNING:

DO NOT use swimming pool chlorine tablets in your disinfection system. The chlorine in these tablets are made from trichlorisocyanuric acid. Swimming pool tablets dissolve more slowly than calcium hypochlorite and do not thoroughly disinfect the effluent. Additionally, there is a danger of explosion using swimming pool tablets since the tablets will release an explosive gas called nitrogen chloride due to the fact that they are not totally immersed in water at all times while in use. They are not approved by EPA for wastewater effluent disinfection.

 

NOTE FROM EPA REGARDING USE OF SWIMMING POOL CHLORINE
IN AEROBIC SYSTEMS

According to the EPA. spokesman, use of swimming pool chlorine products in the treatment of wastewater effluent is a violation of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Sections 136a-2g and 136j(a)2g. The FIFRA regulations essentially state anyone who is using a chlorine product for applications other than those stated on the product's labeling is potentially subject to a fine and/or imprisonment.

Individual users can be fined $500 or first offenses and $2000 for subsequent violations. Suppliers, dealers, distributors and manufacturers are subject to much more severe penalties - up to $25,000 in fines. Prison sentences can vary from 30 days to a maximum of one year.

What's NOT Covered With the State Required Inspection Contract:

• Pumping or cleaning tanks
• Maintaining the disinfection unit
• Replacing broken spray heads
• Damage from power failures
• Homeowner misuse
• Catastrophes beyond the control of the manufacturer