Frequently Asked Questions

What does an "on-site inspection" include?

• Inspect the interior of tank (tank must be pumped out during the inspection).

• Activate the pump and high water alarm.

• Pump to all disposal fields.

• Walk over the disposal fields.

• Check inspection ports in the disposal fields.

• Inspect site hole dug in the disposal field (required for older disposal fields).

• Inspect for greywater discharge and evidence of lateral migration of effluent from the facility.

What do i have to do to prepare for the inspection?
The septic tanks should be located, and the access ports for each tank, or each compartment of each tank, should be uncovered. The access ports are small lids, usually 12 to 18 inches across, in the larger lid. They are designed to permit cleaning of the tank. Unless the tanks have been uncovered within the last three years, this should be accomplished the day before the inspection. Since the tank(s) are to be pumped during the inspection, most people let the septic pump service uncover the tanks for them. For older OSSF, it may be necessary to locate the disposal field.

Who has records of my on-site sewage facility?
The location of your property determines which agency has jurisdiction for on-site sewage facilities, and should have records for your OSSF. Very old OSSF may not have records. Information about different agencies.

Does the County (or City) Require that a septic tank system be inspected when the house is sold?
Currently, the only OSSF licensing agency in Central Texas that requires re-inspection at resale is the Lower Colorado River Authority. If the house is in L.C.R.A.'s jurisdiction, an application for re-licensing must be submitted to L.C.R.A. and their inspector will perform an inspection. Some of the other agencies (for example, Hays County and Williamson County) provide resale re-inspections as a service, but do not require them.

My high-water alarm is on. What do I do?
The high-water alarm activates if the effluent level in the pump tank rises too high, either because the pump has failed to come on, or because it is on, but is not successfully pumping the effluent out to the disposal field. Try these steps:

1. Make sure the pump is plugged in.

2. Make sure the breaker is on.

3. Plug the the pump directly in. Usually, the pump plugs into the float switch, which plugs into the electric outlet. If the alarm goes off, then the problem is with the float switch. DO NOT leave the pump plugged directly in! It will burn up! Call me for recommendations for a contractor to make repairs.

4. Alternate the disposal field.

5. If none of these work, call me for recommendations for a contractor to make repairs.

DO NOT allow a contractor to replace the pump without investigating why the pump failed!