We live outside of the city limits in the Brazos county and just received a call from the septic company who installed our system (our home is 2 years old). They asked if we want to "renew" our service contract with them for $250/yr. They have been a good company as far as we know, but I was a little taken off guard by the call.

I asked if this was required and she said "yes", otherwise the county would impose a fine. She mentioned that the contract did not have to be with them, but that I would need to choose a company to be under contract with.

1) I know that our system must comply with code, but is this indeed true that a service contract with a company is required?

2) If so, does anyone have any experience with this and is $250/yr about right for a 4 bathroom house?

Thanks!

We pay the same amount. The company we used failed to file all the paperwork on time last year. We got a nice letter from the county telling us we would be fined. Don't remember how much it was, but it wasn't cheap.

First I've ever heard of the county requiring a contract. I use Carrol Septic, call every couple years, he charged me about $200. Don't recall the exact amount.

never got a letter from anyone either.

It is required for aerobic septic systems. Traditional septic systems do not need a maintenance contract.

You, the homeowner, can also take courses from TEEX or another accredited institution in order to be certified to maintain your own septic system.

I just received the bright red card from the health dept stating that my contract was not on file. (my fault forgot to renew) he said that most septic companies will file the contract but it is up to the homeowner to make sure. Also, it did not say what the fine was just that I would receive a summons from the JP!!! (I'm back on file now, and I pay $250 per year)

Hmmmmm, I think I'm paying for than $250...

I had a coworker get burned by this because the septic company forgot to report the contract with the county.

Yep.

The "service contract" perpetuated on citizens with an aerobic system is mis-named, since any problem requiring service is not covered. Slowly the laws have changed (for the good), where convential systems are easier to permit, and counties (under a certain population) can allow the citizens to take the very modest training required to do their own aerobic monitoring. Brazos County still requires the contracts (and may not have the option to change), but Burleson County has relaxed their rules, allowing the homeowners to do theur own.

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$250

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??!?

I was paying $380 last year and received notice that it will be increasing to $415 this year. I use A.S.I.M.

Can anyone tell me who they use (especially that are paying $250)?

Also, what "services" do they provide for $250 other than the tri-annual inspection using a dipstick, making sure the sprinkly float works, and putting in a chlorine hockey puck? It seems like ASIM charges me extra for everything else. I just kept the previous home-owners contract provider out of convenience, but looks like I need to look around.

The way I figure - I see them do about 30mins of work at my home three times per year comes to roughly $275 per hour (excluding the cost of paperwork filings and the three hockey pucks per year). Seems high to say the least.

[This message has been edited by ekonoag (edited 3/29/2012 9:38a).]

I paid AIMS $270 last year. Nice folks.

$270 To Texas Jet Systems for 10 plus years.

We use Kenneth Davis with Axis Enterprises. The contract is fairly detailed so I would call him to get info for your particular system. (979) 774-6344

He installed our system and we are very pleased with his service.

We use James Heath. He put our system in back in 1999 and we have had no real problems with it.

http://brazoshealth.org/documents/ChlorineuseinOSSF.pdf
Brazos County opted to continue the "service" agreement mandate. I wonder how many of those 6000 residents had no option (by regulation and $$$) of a conventional system, that if installed properly works w/o needed "service" agreements.
And as mentioned previously, the TCEQ has changed the rules to allow homeowner oversight, unless local officials say otherwise.
http://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing/ossf/ossfmaintenance.html
I now live on 60 acres, but the rules for conventional system installation had changed so much, an aerobic system was our choice due to the installation cost. Interesting how my old (field lines) system on 6 acres continues to work just fine.
Initial and occasional inspections by the Health Dept should have sufficed, but that must have been too easy...

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I use Carrol Septic

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carrol septic is no longer.he sold out and it became hi-tech septic.we Used to have them but come to find out they really just said they did the work and turned the paperwork into the county.needless to say,we no longer have them

I have had bad experiences with septic providers over the past several years. I am using ASIM now and have been the happiest with them. They are higher than some of the others but you get what you pay for. When I had another company and paid $200/yr no one ever came to do the inspections, no one turned in papers to the county and anytime I had a problem they wouldn't answer the phones. I have been very pleased with ASIM. They have someone to answer the phones all day, they will come out on weekends and holidays if you have a problem, and the technicians do a good inspection.

Sierra: what are you paying ASIM? I suppose I am content with the quality of service, but I haven't seen anyone quote anything close to 400, so I feel like I may be getting shafted. Anyone else want to post what they pay for this govt induced service (and whether you are happy w the service)?

Thanks all!

It seems like a big racket to me. We pay $250 a year. The past 2 years, I've had a component on our system go out within 3 days of my regular spring inspection. Last year cost me $400 for the repair, this year it was $300. If I have another problem in the next couple of years after one of their inspections you guys can bet your butts you'll probably be hearing about the company on here to see if anybody else is experiencing the same issues. I've asked my neighbors who have the same system as mine but stii use ASIM if they've ever had similar problems and none of them have had any issues with their systems. I'm seriously wondering if my septic guys are shorting electrical components on my system so they can make extra business for themselves?

I paid ASIM $415 this year. I have basically found out, "you get what you pay for". Also, the technician has explained to me an aerobic system is like a car. If you never change the oil and maintain it, expensive things will happen. If your septic guys are doing their job, less problems should occur. When I was paying another company $200/yr they didn't show up to do the inspections and I ended up having to replace my aerator. When I signed on with ASIM at that point they took care of my problems and also offered me a payment plan to help with the large repair I needed. Also, I was impressed with the fact that they will answer their phone when I call. When I had a dead aerator ASIM sent a guy out that day within a couple hours. I have had no issues with them so far. Like I said, I was screwed over by the cheaper company that didn't really do the work and it cost me later on.

I'll just leave this right here...
http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=50&topic_id=1592471&page=1&nomobile=1

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sierra07
user level: Pro posted 9:55a, 03/10/10this user's public profilesend private message to useredit this replyobject to this reply



Single wide 16 x 80 3 bedroom 2 bathroom, spacious living room and kitchen. Must be moved. Email me for pictures or questions codi@asimseptic.com

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Are people required to have aerobic septic systems out in the country? Is there a lot size restriction preventing them from traditional septic systems? It seems like aerobic systems are a lot of trouble based on comments here.

State requires aerobic for lots less than 10 acres in size.

Thanks, Max.

Buy a large lot, I guess.

Boom.
Max w/ the headshot.

Sierra, can you confirm whether you work for ASIM?

Good job Max

We use Hi-tech Septic and their tech is named Codi or Cody, not sure if this is the same guy. Nice guy though (Cod* at Hi-Tech) and very responsive and helpful. So far I have only positive to say about Hi-Tech.

Max, can you link to or reference the minimum (10 ac) lot size for conventional systems? I have never been told that, nor seen it in print, and always appreciate having solid info when arguing against laws that don't have a solid basis.
As with many laws, 10 acres sounds rather arbitrary in basis.

Ekono - I do work for ASIM NOW. But what I wrote was from my personal experience. I had alot of problems with my septic system when we had our trailer house. I found ASIM through a friend. He came out and explained everything to me and made my system work again. Then he started doing my yearly service. I liked his service and ended up working for him. I'm sorry for the confusion, but that was my personal experience.

Sierra, I'd like to give you the benefit of the doubt. I re-read your previous post regarding your personal experience with ASIM and it is, at best, a bit misleading as you wrote about your experiences in the present tense and made no effort to be forthcoming regarding your conflict of interest.

I'm disappointed. I think people that work for a business should identify themselves as such when making what would otherwise clearly appear to be an unbiased experience. There are no rules here - I get that - but it seems like the honest thing to do.

Max - thanks for the research.

mhatt: thanks for the review (you don't work for them, do you? - only kidding, maybe).

I'll see if I can dig it up. I remember this was a constant stumbling block when I was looking at properties years ago.

GSS and others interested in local rules/regulations - this is the person to contact:

Robert R. Roggenbuck, Jr.
RS/OS0027843Environmental Health Specialist
Brazos County Health Department
201 North Texas AvenueBryan, Texas 77803
979.361.4450
Fax: 979.823.2275
e-mail: RRoggenbuck@brazoscountytx.gov


I called to ask a couple questions and he was very responsive and helpful.

[This message has been edited by ekonoag (edited 3/30/2012 11:40a).]

TAC30.285.3 references 10+ acre tracts, but in a manner exempting larger tracts from some of the permitting and inspections (see "f-- Exceptions").

ekonoag-thanks for the contact info at Brazos Cty.