OSSF DR CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● Sand Filter. Answer: Treatment system passing effluent through sand media for filtration
and biological treatment before discharge to absorption system or surface water
● Maintenance Provider. Answer: Person or company authorized to perform routine
servicing, repairs, and inspections of OSSF systems especially permitted systems requiring
annual maintenance
● Baffle. Answer: Device at septic tank inlet and outlet preventing floating scum and
turbulence from entering or exiting tank while allowing liquid flow
● Design Flow. Answer: Estimated daily wastewater volume used to size OSSF components
based on number of bedrooms, fixtures, or actual water use measurements
● Alternative System. Answer: OSSF design using technologies or configurations beyond
conventional septic tank and absorption system to address site limitations or achieve
treatment goals
● Soil Texture. Answer: Relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles affecting water
movement, treatment capacity, and suitability for absorption systems
● Building Setback. Answer: Minimum required distance from OSSF components to
structures protecting occupants from odors and contamination while allowing system access
● Groundwater. Answer: Subsurface water occupying pore spaces and fractures in
saturated zone below water table that must be protected from contamination
● Construction Permit. Answer: Written TCEQ authorization allowing OSSF installation to
proceed based on approved plans and site suitability determination
● Proprietary System. Answer: Commercially manufactured OSSF components or complete
systems requiring testing, certification, and listing by TCEQ before installation approval
● Clay Content. Answer: Percentage of smallest soil particles which swell when wet, restrict
water movement, and require larger absorption areas or alternative systems
, ● Infiltration Rate. Answer: Speed at which water enters and moves through soil surface
expressed as depth per unit time, critical for absorption system design
● Fill Material. Answer: Imported sand or loamy sand meeting specific gradation
requirements used to construct mound or other systems where native soil is unsuitable
● Inlet Baffle. Answer: Structure at septic tank entrance directing influent downward to
prevent disturbance of settled solids and floating scum layer
● Potable Water. Answer: Water safe for human consumption meeting drinking water
standards that must be protected from sewage contamination through proper setbacks
● Annual Inspection. Answer: Mandatory yearly evaluation of permitted systems verifying
mechanical components function properly, treatment performance meets standards, and
maintenance is current
● ATU. Answer: Acronym for Aerobic Treatment Unit which provides higher level treatment
than conventional septic systems
● Restrictive Horizon. Answer: Soil layer with characteristics that impede water movement
or root penetration including dense clay, cemented layers, or saturated zones
● Apprentice Installer. Answer: Person training under supervision of licensed installer to
gain experience required for independent licensure
● Evapotranspiration System. Answer: Absorption system designed to maximize water loss
through soil evaporation and plant transpiration with minimal or no percolation to groundwater
● Bedroom Method. Answer: Common approach for estimating residential design flow
based on number of bedrooms at 150 gallons per bedroom per day as specified in regulations
● Well. Answer: Constructed opening or excavation in ground to access groundwater
requiring protection through minimum 50-150 foot setbacks from OSSF components
● As-Built Drawing. Answer: Final documentation showing actual installed locations,
dimensions, and specifications of OSSF components as constructed in field
● Site Plan. Answer: Scaled drawing showing property boundaries, structures, OSSF
components, wells, surface water, easements, and other features with dimensions and
setbacks
● Perc Test. Answer: Shortened term for percolation test used to evaluate soil suitability for
wastewater treatment and disposal
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● Sand Filter. Answer: Treatment system passing effluent through sand media for filtration
and biological treatment before discharge to absorption system or surface water
● Maintenance Provider. Answer: Person or company authorized to perform routine
servicing, repairs, and inspections of OSSF systems especially permitted systems requiring
annual maintenance
● Baffle. Answer: Device at septic tank inlet and outlet preventing floating scum and
turbulence from entering or exiting tank while allowing liquid flow
● Design Flow. Answer: Estimated daily wastewater volume used to size OSSF components
based on number of bedrooms, fixtures, or actual water use measurements
● Alternative System. Answer: OSSF design using technologies or configurations beyond
conventional septic tank and absorption system to address site limitations or achieve
treatment goals
● Soil Texture. Answer: Relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles affecting water
movement, treatment capacity, and suitability for absorption systems
● Building Setback. Answer: Minimum required distance from OSSF components to
structures protecting occupants from odors and contamination while allowing system access
● Groundwater. Answer: Subsurface water occupying pore spaces and fractures in
saturated zone below water table that must be protected from contamination
● Construction Permit. Answer: Written TCEQ authorization allowing OSSF installation to
proceed based on approved plans and site suitability determination
● Proprietary System. Answer: Commercially manufactured OSSF components or complete
systems requiring testing, certification, and listing by TCEQ before installation approval
● Clay Content. Answer: Percentage of smallest soil particles which swell when wet, restrict
water movement, and require larger absorption areas or alternative systems
, ● Infiltration Rate. Answer: Speed at which water enters and moves through soil surface
expressed as depth per unit time, critical for absorption system design
● Fill Material. Answer: Imported sand or loamy sand meeting specific gradation
requirements used to construct mound or other systems where native soil is unsuitable
● Inlet Baffle. Answer: Structure at septic tank entrance directing influent downward to
prevent disturbance of settled solids and floating scum layer
● Potable Water. Answer: Water safe for human consumption meeting drinking water
standards that must be protected from sewage contamination through proper setbacks
● Annual Inspection. Answer: Mandatory yearly evaluation of permitted systems verifying
mechanical components function properly, treatment performance meets standards, and
maintenance is current
● ATU. Answer: Acronym for Aerobic Treatment Unit which provides higher level treatment
than conventional septic systems
● Restrictive Horizon. Answer: Soil layer with characteristics that impede water movement
or root penetration including dense clay, cemented layers, or saturated zones
● Apprentice Installer. Answer: Person training under supervision of licensed installer to
gain experience required for independent licensure
● Evapotranspiration System. Answer: Absorption system designed to maximize water loss
through soil evaporation and plant transpiration with minimal or no percolation to groundwater
● Bedroom Method. Answer: Common approach for estimating residential design flow
based on number of bedrooms at 150 gallons per bedroom per day as specified in regulations
● Well. Answer: Constructed opening or excavation in ground to access groundwater
requiring protection through minimum 50-150 foot setbacks from OSSF components
● As-Built Drawing. Answer: Final documentation showing actual installed locations,
dimensions, and specifications of OSSF components as constructed in field
● Site Plan. Answer: Scaled drawing showing property boundaries, structures, OSSF
components, wells, surface water, easements, and other features with dimensions and
setbacks
● Perc Test. Answer: Shortened term for percolation test used to evaluate soil suitability for
wastewater treatment and disposal
