Septic Systems
Groundwater and Septic Systems
What is a septic system?
Getting a Septic System
Septic System Maintenance
Septic Research
Publications
Groundwater Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An on-site (septic) system that is properly designed, installed, and maintained poses no threat to groundwater. However, inadequately functioning and/or failing systems can contribute to the contamination of groundwater with nitrates, harmful bacteria, and viruses. When disposed of improperly in an on-site system, trace amounts of metals and hazardous chemicals (from pesticides, solvents, and cleaners) can also contaminate groundwater.
To prevent contamination of your drinking water well, the system must be located a safe distance away from your well and the system must be kept in proper working order through routine maintenance.
Groundwater Protection and Septic Systems
Groundwater Pollution Primer from Virginia Tech explores the environmental impacts of septic systems.
What is a septic system?
National Environmental Services Center's Septic System Information has a host of information on a variety of topics.
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) has developed public outreach interactive media tools to educate citizens about on-site sewage facilities (i.e., septic systems) and off-site sewage facilities (i.e., wastewater treatment plants).
Getting a Septic System
- Texas Commission of Environmental Quality's (TCEQ's) On-Site Sewage Facilities (Septic Systems): Information for Homeowners
- Find licensed site evaluators, inspectors, and installers of septic systems from TCEQ's database
- TCEQ's list of authorized agents that can issue permits for septic systems (on-site sewage facilities)
- Texas AgriLife Extension Service's publication L-5342, (PDF - Help with PDF) explains leaching chambers.
- National Small Flows Clearinghouse's Pipeline newsletter has an "Alternative Dispersal Options" Edition that explores siting issues.
Septic System Maintenance
- "Reducing Contamination by Improving Household Wastewater Treatment", a Tex*A*Syst publication.
- Lower Colorado River Authority's "Frequently asked questions about on-site sewage rules"
- National Environmental Services Center's Septic System Information has a host of information on a variety of topics, including maintenance.
Septic Research
- Texas On-site Wastewater Treatment Research Council
- The National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project - NDWRCDP identifies research and development opportunities in the on-site/decentralized wastewater field and then provides funding to support universities, nonprofit organizations, and other qualified public and private agencies and institutions to carry out these projects.
Publications
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service (TAES) on-line Bookstore offers a number of publications on septic systems, also known as on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) or on-site wastewater treatment systems (e.g., operation and maintenance, selecting and permitting, service contracts, understanding and maintaining, graywater, etc.). On the left side of the webpage:
- Click on "SEARCH"
- Enter the keywords "septic" or "on-site" (without quotes) and then click on Submit Query
- Click on the publication icon/number of interest (some of which are available in Spanish), and then click on View PDF to view or print it free of cost
Groundwater Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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