On-Site Sewage Facilities(OSSF)

2805 N. Navarro
Victoria, Texas 77901
James Soderholtz, OSSF Coordinator
(361)578-6281

Victoria, Calhoun, Dewitt an Jackson counties are authorized agents of the  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality(TCEQ). The authorized agent is responsible for implementing and enforcing the rules adopted under the Texas Health & Safety Code - Chapter 366. Under the Texas H&S Code, Chapter 366, the authorized agent can impose and collect a permit fee for construction, installation, alteration, repair, or extension of on-site sewage disposal systems and impose penalties for a violation of Chapter 366 or a rule adopted under this chapter. To fulfill this responsibility, the authorized agents have established an agreement with the Victoria City-County Health Department Environmental Health Division designating individuals, with a valid license, as designated representatives. The Environmental Health Division reviews permit applications, site evaluations, or planning materials, and conducts inspections on OSSF's. Title 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 285, establishes a regulatory program for the management of OSSF's including minimum standards for planning materials, construction, installation, alteration, repair, extension, operation, maintenance, permitting, and inspection of OSSF's.

OSSF Application Process

Victoria, Calhoun, DeWitt, and Jackson counties have adopted more stringent rules for its On-Site Sewage Facility Order requiring a permit for all OSSFs, regardless of the size of the lot or acreage onto which it is installed. A permit is an authorization to construct or operate an OSSF. The permit consists of the authorization to construct and the notice of approval for installation, construction, alteration, operation, and maintenance of an OSSF. The OSSF application process is as follows:

1.Obtain a copy of the On-Site Sewage Facility Application Packet. The
  application packet contains detailed instructions on applying for an OSSF
  permit.

2.Have a Soil and Site Evaluator, licensed by TCEQ, conduct a soil and
  site evaluation selected location to determine the type of OSSF system 
  suitable for installation. Click on the link,
  Find On-Site Sewage Facilities Licensed Individuals  - Texas Commission
  on Environmental Quality, to locate a licensed soil and site evaluator. 

3.Locate an installer licensed by TCEQ to install the OSSF system. Click
  on the link, Find On-Site Sewage Facilities Licensed Individuals-
  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality , to locate a licensed   
  installer. Note: a property owner may install their own system, as long as
  there is no compensation for hired help.

4.Complete the OSSF application and submit it along with the additional
  paperwork (including soil and site evaluation, property survey, plat, 
  scaleddrawing etc.) outlined in the On-Site Sewage Facility Application 
  Packet.

5.Schedule an inspection of the OSSF system. 

6.Once the OSSF system has been inspected and is approved for operation, the
  system can be put in use.

7.Routinely maintenance your OSSF and follow the guidelines provided in the
  Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems, or TOWA Septic System Maintenance.


Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for further information,  
or call the Environmental Health Division at (361)578-6281. 

Selecting an OSSF System

The site and soil conditions determine the type of OSSF system that can be installed. A soil and site evaluator, licensed through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), is required to conduct a soil and site evaluation of the proposed site. Site and soil conditions include the type of soil (sand, sandy clay, clay, etc.), seasonal water tables, and restrictive horizons. There are several different types of OSSF systems including conventional (pipe and gravel), low pressure dosing, aerobic treatment with surface irrigation, and aerobic treatment with drip emitters. To learn more about the different types of systems click on the links below.
 

Conventional  Aerobic  Low Pressure Dosing  Subsurface Drip  Gravel-less Pipe  Leaching  Operation and Maintenance    Selecting and Permitting  Spray Distribution

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program provides low interest home improvement loans and grants. This program is commonly referred to as the Section 504 Program, and is designed for very-low-income individuals living in non-metropolitan areas. The objective of the USDA Rural Development 504 Program is to help very low income owners of modest single family homes repair those homes. Loan funds are available to improve or modernize a home, make it safer or more sanitary, or remove health and safety hazards. Click on the USDA RD Loan Eligibility Website for more information. 

You may also contact the local USDA Rural Development office located at:

700 N. Wells Street, Suite 202
Edna, Texas 77957-2762
Phone 361-782-3361
Fax 361-782-5731