Let's say there is an aerobic septic system on a residential property in North Texas (Collin Co.)
TLDR- The homeowner wants to add a few risers to an existing system. It's easy, and they don't have the money pay a professional to do it. Are they out of luck and a pro is absolutely required? Could they legally install risers as a homeowner? Should this just be done quietly and don't say anything?
Longer Discussion:
Current system has no risers on it, just one of those rectangle valve box covers that sits over the 3rd tank. The home was bought a year ago, and homeowners are discovering all the things that were sort of rednecked together, and the septic is one of them. The ground above the other tanks is clearly undisturbed, so quien sabe the last time anything other than 3rd tank was looked at or pumped.
It is in need of a complete pump out, getting lots of junk into the 3rd tank. So all 3-4 caps will be exposed very soon. The homeowner also want to make sure there is a filter/screen and be able to clean it periodically. Risers would allow better access to monitor, repair, and maintain the system, and have been recommended by the current maintenance company. But, the $2200 quote to have four risers installed is more than said homeowner can comfortably digest for a job that can EASILY be done DIY. No issues paying a pro what they are worth, but this is not rocket surgery.
My question is legality- the only info I can find about online about a homeowner working on their own septic in Collin County says "Any/all required OSSF maintenance must be preformed by an appropriately licensed OSSF Professional- home/property owner maintenance allowed only if the owner has a minimum of a Class D Wastewater License and proof of training by an appropriately licensed OSSF Professional." They recognize that this requirement is more stringent than the TCEQ requirements. So, not only the Class D License is required, but also "proof of training". Whatever that constitutes.
Would installing risers on an existing septic system count as "maintenance"? That whole section really just speaks about the regular inspection and reporting requirements. Earlier it talks about site evaluations and installation. It says nothing specifically about repairs or additions by a homeowner or professional. Maybe TCEQ has requirements for that?
Or, would adding risers not even be regulated, as it isn't exactly working on the actual system? Nothing in the septic system would be altered, only adding risers to safely keep dirt off of the covers. Who would even know that risers had been installed, except the current maintenance company? Is it their job to whistle blow such things?
I know the current maintenance company takes pictures of the area and submits them to the county with their reports. Would this trigger an inspection and/or penalty if all of a sudden risers started showing up on the pictures? I can't imagine any other way the county would find out, unless we needed to pull a permit for something for some reason.
Is this one of those cases where there is no real option but to pay someone else thousands of dollars for something that could be done for hundreds? Or, is this a non-issue since it's not inside the tanks? Or, is this a SSS situation, just deal with the fine if it ever gets found out.
Of course, this is all theoretical- I would never imagine doing anything illegal or that the state looks down upon. And I lost all my guns in a boating accident many years ago.
TIA for any and all discussion on this completely theoretical thought exercise.
TLDR- The homeowner wants to add a few risers to an existing system. It's easy, and they don't have the money pay a professional to do it. Are they out of luck and a pro is absolutely required? Could they legally install risers as a homeowner? Should this just be done quietly and don't say anything?
Longer Discussion:
Current system has no risers on it, just one of those rectangle valve box covers that sits over the 3rd tank. The home was bought a year ago, and homeowners are discovering all the things that were sort of rednecked together, and the septic is one of them. The ground above the other tanks is clearly undisturbed, so quien sabe the last time anything other than 3rd tank was looked at or pumped.
It is in need of a complete pump out, getting lots of junk into the 3rd tank. So all 3-4 caps will be exposed very soon. The homeowner also want to make sure there is a filter/screen and be able to clean it periodically. Risers would allow better access to monitor, repair, and maintain the system, and have been recommended by the current maintenance company. But, the $2200 quote to have four risers installed is more than said homeowner can comfortably digest for a job that can EASILY be done DIY. No issues paying a pro what they are worth, but this is not rocket surgery.
My question is legality- the only info I can find about online about a homeowner working on their own septic in Collin County says "Any/all required OSSF maintenance must be preformed by an appropriately licensed OSSF Professional- home/property owner maintenance allowed only if the owner has a minimum of a Class D Wastewater License and proof of training by an appropriately licensed OSSF Professional." They recognize that this requirement is more stringent than the TCEQ requirements. So, not only the Class D License is required, but also "proof of training". Whatever that constitutes.
Would installing risers on an existing septic system count as "maintenance"? That whole section really just speaks about the regular inspection and reporting requirements. Earlier it talks about site evaluations and installation. It says nothing specifically about repairs or additions by a homeowner or professional. Maybe TCEQ has requirements for that?
Or, would adding risers not even be regulated, as it isn't exactly working on the actual system? Nothing in the septic system would be altered, only adding risers to safely keep dirt off of the covers. Who would even know that risers had been installed, except the current maintenance company? Is it their job to whistle blow such things?
I know the current maintenance company takes pictures of the area and submits them to the county with their reports. Would this trigger an inspection and/or penalty if all of a sudden risers started showing up on the pictures? I can't imagine any other way the county would find out, unless we needed to pull a permit for something for some reason.
Is this one of those cases where there is no real option but to pay someone else thousands of dollars for something that could be done for hundreds? Or, is this a non-issue since it's not inside the tanks? Or, is this a SSS situation, just deal with the fine if it ever gets found out.
Of course, this is all theoretical- I would never imagine doing anything illegal or that the state looks down upon. And I lost all my guns in a boating accident many years ago.
TIA for any and all discussion on this completely theoretical thought exercise.