This information provided October 2007 - Go to LCRA for additional and updated information.
For more information, call 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3216, or in Austin 473-3216.
General
Q. Where does LCRA have jurisdiction for on-site sewage facilities (OSSF)?
A. LCRA's zone of jurisdiction includes two zones around the Highland Lakes:
- Restricted zone -- the first 200 feet measured horizontally from the mean sea level (msl) contour of each of the Highland Lakes (Lake Buchanan 1020 feet msl, Lake Inks 888 feet msl, Lake LBJ 825 feet msl and Lake Marble Falls 738 feet msl) and is everything below the 691 feet msl contour on Lake Travis.
- Water quality zone -- the area within 2,000 feet measured horizontally away from the outer boundaries of each of the restricted zones. The jurisdictional area also includes the corporate city limits of Jonestown, Briarcliff, Lakeway, Lago Vista, Granite Shoals and Volente.
Q. I am having problems with my on-site sewage facility. What do I do?
A. Contact an on-site sewage facility installer possessing a current license from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The agency's on-site sewage facility program Web site contains a search for locating licensed installers. You also may find septic system professionals in your local phone book under the Yellow Pages listing for "septic."
Q. How do I take care of my on-site sewage facility?
A. An OSSF should not be treated as if it were a city sewer, where large amounts of water are allowed to go down the drain. Prevent overloading the system by checking for leaks, and by using water-conserving toilets and showerheads.
Garbage disposals should be used sparingly or not at all to avoid rapid buildup of organic wastes in the treatment tank. This buildup may eventually cause problematic soil clogging, which in turn can cause wastewater to surface in the yard. Be careful what you put into the septic system because many items do not decompose sufficiently. Paper towels, newspaper, wrapping paper and rags should not be put into the system. Items such as cigarette butts, coffee grounds, sanitary napkins and tampons, grease, disposable diapers should be kept out of the system as well.
Keep a diagram showing the location of the septic tank and disposal area. Also, keep a copy of maintenance done to the system such as septic tank pump-out receipts. Septic tanks should be pumped before too great a volume of solids accumulates. Every three years is typically a sufficient frequency for most tanks, but each tank may be different, depending on its size and frequency of use.
For a free booklet on how to maintain a septic tank system, call LCRA at (512) 473-3216 or toll-free at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3216.
Permitting
Q. How long does it take to obtain a permit to install an on-site sewage system?
A. For a conventional system, you should allow two to three weeks after the on-site investigation is performed. Professionally designed systems can take four to five weeks after the date of the on-site investigation for the permit to be issued.
Q. How do I obtain a permit?
A. Call LCRA at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3216, to receive by mail a new system installation package. Or stop by 3701 Lake Austin Blvd. in Austin. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. LCRA also has an office in Marble Falls at 500 Highway 281 North. Office hours for that location are 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Q. What are the steps in obtaining a permit to construct an on-site sewage system?
A. See the step-by-step process.
Q. What is the fee for a permit?
A. Standard system permit fees are $260. Professionally designed systems are $410. See fee schedule.
Sales process
Q. Does an inspection have to be done for every sale or transfer of ownership?
A. Yes. A system reinspection does need to be done each time property with an on-site sewage facility is sold. This inspection is required prior to a license for system operation being issued to the new owner.
Q. Does the septic tank have to be uncovered?
A. Not all the time. If an inspection has been performed to the system in the past five years, you may not have to uncover the septic tank. Call 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3216, to determine if your tank needs to be uncovered.
Q. How long does it take to get a sale inspection?
A. Allow about 10 business days after the request for inspection is submitted to LCRA's office for the inspection to take place.
Q. Who pays for the sale inspection?
A. The buyer and the seller of the property decide who pays the inspection fees.
Q. What do I need to take to my closing after the system has been inspected?
A. After LCRA has approved the inspection of the system, the inspector will leave an inspection report, an approval letter, and a Form 1100. Take all of these to the closing. The Form 1100 must be completed by the new owner and mailed to LCRA as soon after the sale as possible. Inspection results are valid for six months.
Q. How do I schedule an inspection?
A. After your request has been processed (remember to allow three to five working days for that to be accomplished), you can call 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 4091, to schedule the inspection. If you have questions about inspection requirements, leave a message at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3216.
Technical
Q. What is a site hole?
A. A site hole is an inspection hole that is dug in the drain field. The hole must be dug wall-to-wall (at least one foot wide on trench systems and at least one-foot wide by two-feet wide on bed systems). The hole must be excavated down to perforated pipe.
Q. When is a site hole required?
A. A site hole is required in the drain field of all systems installed prior to Sept. 17, 1971. An exception will be given if a site hole previously has been excavated.
Q. Are holding tanks allowed?
A. Holding tanks may be used on lots where no other methods of sewage disposal are feasible. They also may be used as an interim facility, such as prior to connection to a central collection system. Contact LCRA for more details.
Q. What is retrofitting?
A. Retrofitting is the term used when LCRA requires the installation of low-flow water conserving devices (toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators) to conserve water.
Q. When is retrofitting required?
A. Retrofitting is required when:
- One bedroom or potential bedroom is added to a structure over which the system is currently licensed. This is allowed only if the system was installed under an LCRA construction permit.
- A grandfathered system (installed prior to Sept. 17, 1971,) upon change of ownership. Please call LCRA at (512) 473-3216 for details.
Q. What is a profile hole?
A. A profile hole is a backhoe excavation two to three feet wide and two feet below the anticipated depth of the proposed drain field. One excavated site hole is required at both ends of a proposed field location.
Q. What is the purpose of a profile hole?
A. The profile hole is used to evaluate the soil classification and feasibility of the proposed system. In the event that groundwater or a restrictive horizon is found less than two feet below the bottom of the proposed field area, a conventional soil absorption system may not be installed.
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