The WRM Group

(TCEQ Registration No. 6451)

P.O. Box 390

Gilchrist, Texas 77617

Phone: (409) 286-5482 * Fax: (409) 286-5498 * Email: ossf@wrm.com * Website: www.wrm.com/septic

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Rules [Rule 285.39] require an installer to provide the owner of an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) with written information regarding maintenance and management practices and water conservation measures related to the OSSF installed, repaired, or maintained by the installer. A complete set of the TCEQ Rules regarding OSSFs can be found on the internet at:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=30&pt=1&ch=285

Maintenance and Management Practices and Water Conservation Measures

for the OSSF installed at:

A property with a conventional system

The system was installed by The WRM Group to treat wastewater up to ____ gal/day based on estimated water usage as designed and as approved and permitted by the Galveston County Health Department (GCHD) Permit# 42-16199.  If the system is overloaded or not properly maintained by the property owner, the installer is not responsible.  If the assumed loading rates outlined in the permitted septic system design are exceeded, additional plant capacity, drainfield, etc. will need to be added by the owner at the owner’s expense.  Please be aware that the additions of plant capacity or drainfield area also have to be permitted by GCHD.

(1)     Maintenance and Management Practices

(A)    An OSSF should not be treated as if it were a normal city sewer system.

(B)    The building of driveways, storage buildings, or other structures over the treatment works or its disposal field is not allowed by the TCEQ Rules.

(C)    The excessive use of in-sink garbage grinders and grease discarding should be avoided. In-sink garbage grinders can cause a rapid buildup of sludge or scum resulting in a requirement for more frequent cleaning/pumping and possible system failure.

(D)    Large amounts of harsh chemicals, oil, grease, high sudsing detergents, and disinfectants or any other chemical or substance that kills bacteria should not be discharged into the system.

(E)    Water discharged from water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, A/C condensation lines and water heaters should not be discharged into the system.

(F)    Do not use the toilet to dispose of inorganic materials such as plastics, cleaning tissues, cigarette butts, throwaway diapers, feminine napkins, condoms, or other trash. This disposal practice will waste water and also impose an undesired solids load on the treatment system.

(G)   Excessive use of water, over the design flow of the system, or organic overloading in excess of design parameters will cause the system not to perform to its fullest capabilities.

(H)    Washing numerous loads of laundry items in a single day should be avoided to prevent exceeding the estimated daily water usage rate.  It is best to space out the laundry cycle throughout the week.

(I)       Septic tanks should be cleaned/pumped before sludge accumulates to a point where it approaches the bottom of the outlet device.

(2)     Water Conservation Measures/Practices

(A)    Showers usually use less water than baths.  Install a water saving shower head that uses less than 1 ½  to 2 gallons per minute and saves both water and energy.

(B)    If you take a tub bath, reduce the level of water in the tub from the level to which you would normally fill it.

(C)    Leaky faucets and faulty toilet fill-up mechanisms should be repaired as quickly as possible.

(D)    Check toilets for leaks that may not be apparent.  Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank.  Do not flush.  If the color appears in the bowl in a few minutes, the toilet fill or ball-cock valve needs to be adjusted to prevent water from overflowing the stand pipe or the flapper at the bottom of the tank needs replaced.

(E)    Try to run a dishwasher with a full load, whenever possible.

(F)    Run washing machines with full loads, not on a single day but, instead, throughout the week, whenever possible.

(G)   Avoid running the water continuously for brushing teeth, washing hands, rinsing kitchen utensils or for cleaning vegetables.

(H)    Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet until the water turns cool.

(I)       Insulate all hot water pipes to avoid long delays of wasted water waiting for heated water.

Please consider these Maintenance and Management Practices and Water Conservation Measures as the beginning of a “footprint to follow” in safeguarding your septic system.

For additional information about your septic system, please feel free to call Russ McGee at:

The WRM Group

(TCEQ Registration No. 6451)

P.O. Box 390

Gilchrist, Texas 77617

Phone: (409) 286-5482 * Fax: (409) 286-5498 * Email: ossf@wrm.com