Texas OSSF Regulations — Full Review of On-Site
Sewage Facility Requirements | Updated State
Guidelines
OSSF - ANSW✔️On-Site Sewage Facility, regulated sewage systems.
Maintenance Contract - ANSW✔️Agreement outlining maintenance responsibilities for OSSFs.
TCEQ - ANSW✔️Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, regulatory authority.
Maintenance Provider - ANSW✔️Licensed individual performing OSSF maintenance services.
Maintenance Technician - ANSW✔️Registered worker under a licensed maintenance provider.
Initial Two-Year Service Policy - ANSW✔️Mandatory service policy effective for two years post-
installation.
Contract Provisions - ANSW✔️Minimum requirements outlined in OSSF maintenance contracts.
Maintenance Report - ANSW✔️Document signed by maintenance provider detailing service performed.
Frequency of Maintenance - ANSW✔️Regular intervals for system checks and upkeep.
Disinfection Unit - ANSW✔️Component responsible for treating sewage before discharge.
,Contract Submittals - ANSW✔️Owner must submit signed contract to permitting authority.
Service Policy Approval - ANSW✔️Owner provides signed policy before system use approval.
Contract Expiration - ANSW✔️Owner must renew contract 30 days prior to expiration.
Notification of Service Cessation - ANSW✔️Written notice required 30 days before contract ends.
Homeowner Exemption - ANSW✔️Homeowners maintaining their own systems are exempt from
contracts.
Effective Date - ANSW✔️September 1, 2009, for new maintenance regulations.
Minimum Guidelines - ANSW✔️Standards for maintenance contracts specified in §285.7(d)(1)(A)-(E).
Complaint Response Time - ANSW✔️Time frame for maintenance provider to address owner
complaints.
Maintenance Contract Items - ANSW✔️List of services covered by the maintenance contract.
Physical Address Requirement - ANSW✔️Maintenance provider must provide business address and
phone.
Amendments or Terminations - ANSW✔️Process for modifying or ending maintenance contracts.
Permitting Authority - ANSW✔️Agency responsible for approving OSSF installations and contracts.
Maintenance Contract Notification - ANSW✔️Written notice required 30 days before service cessation.
,New Maintenance Contract Requirement - ANSW✔️Owner must provide new contract copy within 30
days.
Initial Two-Year Service Policy - ANSW✔️Owner must maintain or contract after two years.
Transfer of Service Policy - ANSW✔️Initial terms apply to new owner if sold.
Exclusion from Maintenance - ANSW✔️Owners cannot maintain OSSF for commercial properties.
Testing and Reporting - ANSW✔️OSSFs must be tested as per §285.91(12).
Maintenance Provider Responsibilities - ANSW✔️Provider must test and report findings within 14 days.
Weather Resistant Tag - ANSW✔️Tag identifies provider and maintenance details.
Reduced Testing Frequency - ANSW✔️Two tests per year for monitored systems.
Electronic Monitoring - ANSW✔️System alerts provider of failures automatically.
Owner Maintenance Exemption - ANSW✔️Owners maintaining unit are exempt from testing.
Replacement Parts Availability - ANSW✔️Manufacturers must provide parts to homeowners.
Consequences of Non-Compliance - ANSW✔️Failure to provide parts may remove manufacturer
approval.
Permitting Authority - ANSW✔️Authority receiving notifications and maintenance reports.
, Owner Complaints - ANSW✔️Reports must include responses to owner complaints.
Maintenance Check Record - ANSW✔️Record installation date and checks on the tag.
Maintenance Provider Identification - ANSW✔️Tag must list provider's name and contact number.
Contract Start Date - ANSW✔️Tag must specify the maintenance contract start date.
Indelible Marking - ANSW✔️Tag must be marked with check dates.
Automatic Notification Systems - ANSW✔️Systems notify provider of component failures.
Testing Procedures - ANSW✔️Follow procedures approved by the executive director.
Manufacturer's Product Approval - ANSW✔️Products may be removed if parts are unavailable.
Authorized Agent - ANSW✔️Individual authorized to inspect sewage systems.
Commission - ANSW✔️Governing body overseeing sewage system regulations.
Aerobic Treatment - ANSW✔️Sewage treatment using oxygen to break down waste.
OSSF - ANSW✔️On-Site Sewage Facility for waste disposal.
Permit - ANSW✔️Official authorization to operate sewage systems.
Multiple Treatment Systems - ANSW✔️Several sewage systems on one tract of land.
Sewage Facility Requirements | Updated State
Guidelines
OSSF - ANSW✔️On-Site Sewage Facility, regulated sewage systems.
Maintenance Contract - ANSW✔️Agreement outlining maintenance responsibilities for OSSFs.
TCEQ - ANSW✔️Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, regulatory authority.
Maintenance Provider - ANSW✔️Licensed individual performing OSSF maintenance services.
Maintenance Technician - ANSW✔️Registered worker under a licensed maintenance provider.
Initial Two-Year Service Policy - ANSW✔️Mandatory service policy effective for two years post-
installation.
Contract Provisions - ANSW✔️Minimum requirements outlined in OSSF maintenance contracts.
Maintenance Report - ANSW✔️Document signed by maintenance provider detailing service performed.
Frequency of Maintenance - ANSW✔️Regular intervals for system checks and upkeep.
Disinfection Unit - ANSW✔️Component responsible for treating sewage before discharge.
,Contract Submittals - ANSW✔️Owner must submit signed contract to permitting authority.
Service Policy Approval - ANSW✔️Owner provides signed policy before system use approval.
Contract Expiration - ANSW✔️Owner must renew contract 30 days prior to expiration.
Notification of Service Cessation - ANSW✔️Written notice required 30 days before contract ends.
Homeowner Exemption - ANSW✔️Homeowners maintaining their own systems are exempt from
contracts.
Effective Date - ANSW✔️September 1, 2009, for new maintenance regulations.
Minimum Guidelines - ANSW✔️Standards for maintenance contracts specified in §285.7(d)(1)(A)-(E).
Complaint Response Time - ANSW✔️Time frame for maintenance provider to address owner
complaints.
Maintenance Contract Items - ANSW✔️List of services covered by the maintenance contract.
Physical Address Requirement - ANSW✔️Maintenance provider must provide business address and
phone.
Amendments or Terminations - ANSW✔️Process for modifying or ending maintenance contracts.
Permitting Authority - ANSW✔️Agency responsible for approving OSSF installations and contracts.
Maintenance Contract Notification - ANSW✔️Written notice required 30 days before service cessation.
,New Maintenance Contract Requirement - ANSW✔️Owner must provide new contract copy within 30
days.
Initial Two-Year Service Policy - ANSW✔️Owner must maintain or contract after two years.
Transfer of Service Policy - ANSW✔️Initial terms apply to new owner if sold.
Exclusion from Maintenance - ANSW✔️Owners cannot maintain OSSF for commercial properties.
Testing and Reporting - ANSW✔️OSSFs must be tested as per §285.91(12).
Maintenance Provider Responsibilities - ANSW✔️Provider must test and report findings within 14 days.
Weather Resistant Tag - ANSW✔️Tag identifies provider and maintenance details.
Reduced Testing Frequency - ANSW✔️Two tests per year for monitored systems.
Electronic Monitoring - ANSW✔️System alerts provider of failures automatically.
Owner Maintenance Exemption - ANSW✔️Owners maintaining unit are exempt from testing.
Replacement Parts Availability - ANSW✔️Manufacturers must provide parts to homeowners.
Consequences of Non-Compliance - ANSW✔️Failure to provide parts may remove manufacturer
approval.
Permitting Authority - ANSW✔️Authority receiving notifications and maintenance reports.
, Owner Complaints - ANSW✔️Reports must include responses to owner complaints.
Maintenance Check Record - ANSW✔️Record installation date and checks on the tag.
Maintenance Provider Identification - ANSW✔️Tag must list provider's name and contact number.
Contract Start Date - ANSW✔️Tag must specify the maintenance contract start date.
Indelible Marking - ANSW✔️Tag must be marked with check dates.
Automatic Notification Systems - ANSW✔️Systems notify provider of component failures.
Testing Procedures - ANSW✔️Follow procedures approved by the executive director.
Manufacturer's Product Approval - ANSW✔️Products may be removed if parts are unavailable.
Authorized Agent - ANSW✔️Individual authorized to inspect sewage systems.
Commission - ANSW✔️Governing body overseeing sewage system regulations.
Aerobic Treatment - ANSW✔️Sewage treatment using oxygen to break down waste.
OSSF - ANSW✔️On-Site Sewage Facility for waste disposal.
Permit - ANSW✔️Official authorization to operate sewage systems.
Multiple Treatment Systems - ANSW✔️Several sewage systems on one tract of land.
