FAQ

My aerobic treatment plant has an activated alarm. What does it mean, and what should I do?

An activated alarm usually means that some part of your treatment plant has malfunctioned or that your alarm itself has malfunctioned.

• Check your system’s control box to see that both breakers are turned on. You should be able to silence your audible alarm at the control box. This will not solve the problem, but you won’t have to listen to the alarm.
  
  
• If your system has an air-sensor hose from the air compressor to the control box, check to see that the hose is connected and not leaking air and does not have any breaks or leaks in the hose itself.
  
  
• If the high-water alarm is operating properly, it should activate when there is a malfunction with your effluent/sprinkler operation. It also may activate during heavy rains if ground water is running into your tank if the effluent pump cannot pump the water out fast enough to keep the water below the high-water-alarm float. When the rain slacks off and the water in the tank is pumped down below the float, the alarm should deactivate.
  
  If this situation continues to occur, risers to bring the tank lids above ground level may be recommended as a remedy.
  
  
• If the problem still has not been solved, call your maintenance provider for service.

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What determines whether my new onsite wastewater treatment plant will be an Aerobic Treatment System or a Lateral Line System?

This determination is made by the agency that will issue the permit for your system after it reviews the recommendations of a professional site evaluator, registered sanitarian or professional engineer. Type of soil, size of lot, terrain, seasonal groundwater, flooding potential and local regulations are some of the determining factors.

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What are the steps to having a new wastewater treatment plant installed?

1. Your first step should be to contact a professional site evaluator, registered sanitarian or professional engineer so determination can be made as to which type of onsite wastewater treatment system is appropriate for your particular site. You can contact your permitting agency for the names of people who offer that service in your area. Ask what is required for a permit to be issued from that agency. Note that some site evaluators may not provide drawings as part of the evaluation.
   
   
2. The drawings and site evaluation can then be submitted to the permitting agency, which will review them before issuing a permit, asking for changes, or denying the permit.
   
   
3. Once you have a permit, you can contact a septic install company to begin the work.

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May I water my vegetable garden with the spray from my aerobic treatment plant’s sprinklers?

No. Texas Administrative Code rule 285.33 (d) (2) (B) does not allow watering gardens with water from aerobic septic tanks. The rule states that "Unacceptable surface application areas” is “Land that is used for growing food, gardens, orchards or crops that may be used for human consumption . . . “

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May I have a water softener installed and how would it affect my aerobic treatment plant?

This depends on criteria covered in Texas Administrative Code rule 285.37 (a) through (c).

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What is graywater? Is there an alternative to disposal other than through my septic system?

Graywater is defined in Texas Administrative Code rule 285.80 (a) and (b) "as wastewater from showers, bathtubs, hand washing lavatories, sinks that are not used for disposal of hazardous or toxic ingredients or for food preparation and clothes-washing machines". Graywater does not include wash water from diapers or other clothes soiled with human excreta or water that has come in contact with toilet waste.

Texas Administrative Code rule 285.81 (a) through (i) discusses the criteria for disposal of graywater.

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Can a plumber or irrigation specialist repair a problem with my aerobic treatment plant?

Not unless this person has an appropriate Onsite Wastewater Maintenance Provider license or Onsite Wastewater Maintenance Technician registration from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

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Will commercial additives make my aerobic treatment plant function better?

The EPA and Small Flows Clearing House have determined that commercial additives are not necessary to the functionality of your aerobic treatment plant and may do more harm than good. For more information, see our discussion under Additives – to use or not to use?

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What steps do I need to take to legally move, add or cap a sprinkler line to my aerobic treatment plant?

A permit from your permitting agency is required to move, extend or cap an existing sprinkler line, or to add an additional line. A permit from your permitting agency is also required for any alteration or major repair to an existing onsite wastewater treatment plant. Your permitting agency can advise you whether new drawings are required for your specific set of circumstances.

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How do I know when my aerobic treatment plant needs to be pumped?

One of the advantages to having a monitoring agreement with a reputable service provider company is that you should be notified by that company when your system requires pumping. A general guideline can be found under our heading Septic Pumping. This is merely a guideline and will vary depending on the circumstances listed therein.

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What are some of the safety concerns with an aerobic treatment system?

• One point of concern is that the reclaimed wastewater be properly disinfected at all times. If the wastewater is not disinfected before it is pumped out of your aerobic treatment system, it is contaminated with fecal bacteria. You will find a list of the bacteria that may be contained in contaminated wastewater and the diseases that those bacteria can cause under Wastewater Disinfection, Chemicals & Additives.
  
  
• A major safety issue develops when tank lids are broken, not secured or left off of the tanks, or ill-fitting or improper lids used. Unfortunately, at least one child has drowned in Texas when she fell into a tank with an ill-fitting or improper-type lid. Dogs, puppies, cats and kittens have also drowned in septic tanks because tanks were left open or improperly secured. Boards, bricks, particle board, rocks, etc. are not sufficient or legal to cover the tank openings.
  
  
• Adding any other electrical device to your aerobic treatment system control box, such as holiday lighting or a swimming pool motor may cause an outage or fire that may affect the master breaker panel in your home.

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