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OSSF

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Texas legislature passed a law, HB 1875, in 1987 to regulate on-site sewage facility (OSSF) systems statewide. The law allowed regional and local governments – such as counties, cities, river authorities and special districts – to implement and enforce on-site sewage regulations with approval and oversight by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Although the state law has since been modified and expanded, its basic intent remains. The state sets minimum standards, and local authorities can adopt more stringent rules if the TCEQ approves them.

  1. Aransas County Rules for On Site Sewage Facility – Order #O-07-02
  2. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 366.051 - Permits
  3. Texas Water Code Section 7.173 - Violation Relating to Sewage Disposal

Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 285: On-Site Sewage Facilities

  1. Subchapter A - General Provisions (§285.1-8)
  2. Subchapter B - Local Administration of the OSSF Program (§285.10-11)
  3. Subchapter C - Commission Administration of the OSSF Program in Areas Where No Local Administration Exists (§285.20-21)
  4. Subchapter D - Planning, Construction and Installation Standards for OSSFs (§285.30-39)
  5. Subchapter E - Special Requirements for OSSFs Located in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone (§285.40)
  6. Subchapter F - Licensing and Registration Requirements for Installers, Apprentices, Site Evaluators or Designated Representatives (§285.50-63)
  7. Subchapter G - OSSF Enforcement (§285.70)
  8. Subchapter H - Treatment and Disposal of Greywater (§285.80)
  9. Subchapter I - Appendices: Figures and Tables (§285.90-91)

Additional Regulations

  1. Title 30 -Texas Administrative Code
  2. The Texas Register from the Secretary of State
  3. Texas Statutes and Codes
  4. Texas Legislature Online
  5. Texas Groundwater Protection Committee Rules
  6. Texas Water Development Board Rules
  7. Railroad Commission of Texas Rules
  8. Texas Department of Health Bureau of Radiation Control Rules
  9. Texas Constitution from the Texas Legislature
  10. Texas Legislative Reference Library
  11. Attorney General of Texas
  12. Title 40 - Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  13. Code of Federal Regulations from the National Archives and Records Administration
  14. Federal Register via the Government Printing Office
  15. Federal Register - EPA's Environmental Subset
  16. U.S. Code from Cornell Law School
  17. THOMAS - U.S. Congress on the Internet
  18. Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute
  19. USGS Guide to Federal Environmental Laws and Regulations

WHAT IS A SEPTIC TANK?

A septic system is a method of dealing with household wastewater in areas where public sewers are not available. The standard type of septic system involves a septic tank (to hold wastewater from toilets and drainpipes until solids settle out in the tank), and a system of pipes that distribute the remaining liquid waste underground over a large area --the leach field--where the wastewater "percolates" through the soil, which helps to clean the water.

The goal is to make sure that this filtration though the soil is sufficient to clean the wastewater before it reaches drinking water well sources or surface waters.

  1. Types of Septic Systems

Publications | On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) (tamu.edu)

  1. How Your OSSF Works

Interactive Learning - Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (gbra.org)

I NEED A SEPTIC SYSTEM

State and County laws require that a permit be issued by the department prior to constructing or making non-emergency repairs to a septic system. The associated costs for a permit to construct a new system can be found by following the link below.

Prior to constructing, modifying, or repairing an on-site sewage system, a permit must be approved and the required information submitted to the Aransas County Department of Environmental Health. You may reach us by email or by phone at 1.361.790.0121.


Individuals who are certified by TCEQ to install on-site systems.


Aransas County Septic Site Profile Form

This page is being revised and updated regularly, stay tuned!