A friend helped me dig up and replace some leach line a few weeks ago. He was telling me that if I have it serviced, I'm required by law to convert to an aerobic system. Mind you, the current system is an old style conventional. I definitely don't want to convert if I don't have to. Am I grandfathered into not having to? The system was installed back around 1982. What can you guys tell me about the subject?

I'm not sure about the laws but I have a 45 year old septic system. I had a new leach lime replaced 20 years ago. Noting was ever reported.

I believe it is mostly all regulated pending on what county you’re in....and also, if allowed, what the soil percolation test results are. Some counties are no questions asked, must be an aerobic system....others are perc test based I think.

Here is where you can find out your ruling authority;


https://www6.tceq.texas.gov/oars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.county

I don’t like having to pay $$$ every year to a “professional” that spends one minute 4 times a year making sure it works.

I think it depends on the county you live in. In Parker Couny I was forced to put an aerobic system to replace the old lateral lines. Just bought a chunk of land in Jack County and had to have a perk test. Ended having to get an aerobic system there as the soil is solid clay 8 inches down. If you repair yourself, wont need a permit. Good luck

I quit the ‘Inspector’ two years ago. Found it wasnt a requirement by the county

This. Or an unlicensed friend with a backhoe

My mom and stepdad just got a summons to court for not getting theirs inspected, first quarter they skipped. They each got a $250 fine

Redid my parents drain field during the summer when I was in college. Brother and I dug it by hand. Not sure I’m man enough to do it again lol. We did it to avoid having to hook to sewer or instal an aerobic.

They can't see it from city hall.

I would think it would mostly depend on in town or out. I’m out of town and when it needs work dig it up fix it and throw dirt back on it.

Same here.

Yep, don’t ask, don’t tell when it comes to those systems!

Like others have said. Do the work yourself and no issues.

Different ballgame if you decide to sell your home though

I wouldn't mind hooking to sewer...get charged for run off any way, and then I don't have to inspect, empty, and fix regularly.

If area water wells get contaminated, an illegally operated septic system can become awful expensive. Simple for the county to know, check the billings for that address for sewer hook ups.

I know in Collin county my dipshit neighbor called us in for our rent house instead of knocking on my door for a faulty leach line. The county got involved and we had no option but to put in an aerobic system.

Whatever you do please do it correctly. I bought my first house with an aerobic system, hired an in town home inspector (first mistake) and got a its working but not correctly. Hired a reputable septic guy locally, he then proceed to show me how the previous owner rigged everything up, bypassing alarms and such. Some of the wiring was so bad we were both surprised that it had not caught fire. Then we looked up the records and there had not been an inspector to visit the house since 1999, this is Tarrant County. Lets just say it has been a constant reminder on why aerobic systems NEED to be inspected and to half @$$ your waste treatment is dumb.

I had to have one when I built my house in Oak Point. The city required a quarterly inspection report. But I was able to take a class in Denton that allows the homeowner to inspect their own system. Still had to file the quarterly report and could not perform any maintenance on it other than adding the chlorine tabs. Wish my house here in Alabama was on one. I'm not a fan of the traditional leach line septic system.

I've had both.
Keep the one you have for as long as you can.

The lid on my conventional tank caved in about 3 years ago. Took about a month to get it replaced. Company that replaced it said no permit was needed for a repair. I usually get it pumped every 2- 3 years. It’s cheaper than replacing the drain field, or having to get aerobic system installed.

In Freestone county, if your property is outside of city and on 10 or more acres, you can do as you want.

This is the best news I've heard all month. The property is 2 miles east of the Oakwood city line, just in Freestone Co. The lids on the tanks don't even have a service port. I'll have to lift the entire lid. Do you have a service you recommend?

Had a guy come pump mine out (first time in 30 years), didn't have ports either; no problem, he BORED holes himself (already had tools onboard) and pumped no problem.
Pulling the lids is overthinking it....and too much work...

Most Counties, if you don't have to get into leech line repair (downstream flow from septic tank) you don't need a permit/inspection. Most Folks don't ask or tell.