Techno and Umust - A few years ago, we had a discussion at a CS Council meeting regarding raising the minimum lot size from one acre to 1.5 acres, to give more area for the spray field to be effective, especially for McMansions or lots that weren't all that well suited for a spray field. The County officials and developers spoke against the idea, and it did not get enacted. But there are some one-acre homes where the spray field is ... well, it's not ideal.

There is a lot of information here that is not correct. Brazos Co. does require a septic contract for inspection and reporting for aerobic systems every four months. Burleson Co. has a population under 44000 so inspection and reporting is not required. Statewide you can inspect your own system and do not have to report and there is no training required as long as the county you are in allows it. Many counties have limited this with good cause, as many systems even under inspection are found to be substandard at inspection. Costs vary, and "you get what you pay for" is not necessarily true. As an installer, I charge $170 annually, and repair most systems without replacing the air pump. These are easily rebuilt, but there appears to be only two of us that still repair them. If you have a question, post it and I will try and respond. Thanks.

There is a lot of information here that is not correct. Brazos Co. does require a septic contract for inspection and reporting for aerobic systems every four months. Burleson Co. has a population under 44000 so inspection and reporting is not required. Statewide you can inspect your own system and do not have to report and there is no training required as long as the county you are in allows it. Many counties have limited this with good cause, as many systems even under inspection are found to be substandard at inspection. Costs vary, and "you get what you pay for" is not necessarily true. As an installer, I charge $170 annually, and repair most systems without replacing the air pump. These are easily rebuilt, but there appears to be only two of us that still repair them. If you have a question, post it and I will try and respond. Thanks.

Why do you have to use Calcium Hypochlorite tablets? Why don't the tri Chlor tablets for pools work?

Can the field spray be harmful to animals if ingested or inhaled?

ANyone know what the going rate of pumping a tank is with the different companies? Just trying to get an idea of how much it will cost to get a tank pumped. Nothing wrong with it, just buying a house and want to start with a fresh slate.

Pool tablets are designed to slowly dissolve, not nearly as quickly as septic tank tablets so you end up with live organisms in your effluent. They are also corrosive and off gas. The real way to deal with the issues with tables is to move to a liquid. With a liquid chlorine dispenser you get far more reliable operation and much lower cost. They are filled with ultra bleach (6% sodium hypochlorate) you buy at the store. Your installer should be able to help you with conversion.
http://www.dirmanufacturing.com/

Don't know the pumping cost currently last time but last time mine was ~$800. Brutus was the only one in town at the time that had a truck big enough to pump mine (1250 Gal).

In general if you are properly chlornating/disinfecting the effluent should not be harmful. There are actually kits that commercial operations use to test their discharge that you can buy. Your maintenance provider should at a minimum be testing the effluent for residual chlorine content to ensure that the disinfectant is being properly dispensed. But the majority of providers do not do this, they just collect their fees. The whole maintenance contract is about as useful as TSA's security theater at the airport.

James Heath

I still say traditional septic is the way to go if it's feasible/permissible for your lot.

If you're given a choice, go with old fashioned septic tanks every time when city septic is unavailable.

Brazos Co. doesn't allow conventional systems, only aerobic.

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Brazos Co. doesn't allow conventional systems, only aerobic.

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Which is why so many people hate government in so many ways.

I think even Brazos County has to allow conventional systems, they just apply the requirements to the maximum (square footage of field lines), thus chasing even those with sufficient acreage and/or good soil to go aerobic due to initial cost.

The aerobic folks sure had good lobbyists in Austin.

Brazos County allows any type of treatment (and disposal) septic system so long as it meets state minimum requirements for sizing and installation.

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James Heath

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Been there.....will not go there again.

tag

If you have acreage larger than 10 ac, AND you pass a percolation test, then you can get permitted for a traditional system and not have to have the contract. I think if you have an aerobic system, whether < or > 10 ac, you must have a contract or be certified yourself to do the maintenance.

The aerobic people do have a good lobby. But Brazos Co. is more liberal than some - have a relative in Williamson Co and they make Brazos look easy to deal with for septic systems.

BTW - I was told when building my house that tracking the septic permits is the most common way the tax appraisers know where to look for a new structure to tax......At least back in early 2000's it was. Now with building permits in the county (I think) I am sure they use that too. Back then there was no permit or inspection outside city limits.