Section 285.32 - Criteria for Sewage Treatment Systems(a) Pipe from building to treatment system. (1) The pipe from the sewer stub out to the treatment system shall be constructed of cast iron, ductile iron, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Schedule 40, standard dimension ratio (SDR) 26 or other material approved by the executive director.(2) The pipe shall be watertight.(3) The slope of the pipe shall be no less than 1/8 inch fall per foot of pipe.(4) The sewer stub out should be as shallow as possible to facilitate gravity flow.(5) A two-way cleanout plug must be provided between the sewer stub out and the treatment tank. Only sanitary type fittings constructed of PVC Schedule 40 or SDR 26 shall be used on this section of the sewer. An additional cleanout plug shall be provided every 100 feet on long runs of pipe and within five feet of 90 degree bends.(6) Additional cleanout plugs shall be of the single sanitary type.(7) The pipe shall have a minimum inside diameter of three inches.(8) Pipe that crosses drainage easements shall be sleeved with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Schedule 40 pipe; the pipes shall be buried at least one foot below the surface, or buried less than one foot and encased in concrete; the outside pipe shall have locater tape attached to the pipe; and markers shall be placed at the easement boundaries to indicate the location of the pipe crossing. Crossings shall be designed and constructed in a manner that protects the pipe and the drainage way from erosion.(b) Standard treatment systems. (1) Septic tanks. A septic tank shall meet the following requirements.(A) Tank volume. The liquid volume of a septic tank, measured from the bottom of the outlet, shall not be less than established in § 285.91(2) of this title (relating to Tables). Additionally, the liquid depth of the tank shall not be less than 30 inches.(B) Inlet and outlet devices. The flowline of the tank's inlet device in the first compartment of a two-compartment tank, or in the first tank in a series of tanks, shall be at least three inches higher than the flowline of the outlet device. For a configuration of the tank and inlet and outlet devices, see § 285.90(6) and (7) of this title (relating to Figures). The inlet devices shall be "T" branch fittings, constructed baffles or other structures or fittings approved by the executive director. The outlet devices shall use a "T" unless an executive director approved fitting is installed on the outlet. All inlet and outlet devices shall be installed water tight to the septic tank walls and shall be a minimum of three inches in diameter.(C) Baffles and series tanks. All septic tanks shall be divided into two or three compartments by the use of baffles or by connecting two or more tanks in a series. (i) Baffled tanks. In a baffled tank, the baffle shall be located so that one half to two thirds of the total tank volume is located in the first compartment. Baffles shall be constructed the full width and height of the tank with a gap between the top of the baffle and the tank top. The baffle shall have an opening located below the liquid level of the tank at a depth between 25% and 50% of the liquid level. The opening may be a slot or hole. If a "T" is fitted to the slot or hole, the inlet to the fitting shall be at the depth stated in this paragraph. See § 285.90(6) of this title for details. Any metal structures, fittings, or fastenings shall be stainless steel.(ii) Series tanks. Two or more tanks shall be arranged in a series to attain the required liquid volume. The first tank in a two-tank system shall contain at least one half to two thirds the required volume. The first tank in a three-tank system shall contain at least one-third of the total required volume, but no less than 500 gallons. The first tank in a four or more tank system shall contain no less than 500 gallons, and the last tank in a four or more tank system shall contain no more than one third of the total required volume. Interconnecting inlet and outlet devices may be installed at the same elevation for multiple tank installations.(D) Inspection or cleanout ports. All septic tanks shall have inspection or cleanout ports located on the tank top over the inlet and outlet devices. Each inspection or cleanout port shall be offset to allow for pumping of the tank. The ports may be configured in any manner as long as the smallest dimension of the opening is at least 12 inches, and is large enough to provide for maintenance and for equipment removal. Septic tanks buried more than 12 inches below the ground surface shall have risers over the port openings. For all OSSF's permitted on or after September 1, 2023, the risers shall extend from the tank surface to a minimum of two inches above grade. The risers shall be sealed to the tank. The risers shall have inside diameters which are equal to or larger than the inspection or cleanout ports. The risers shall be fitted with removable watertight caps and prevent unauthorized access.(E) Septic tank design and construction materials. The septic tank shall be of sturdy, water-tight construction. The tank shall be designed and constructed so that all joints, seams, component parts, and fittings prevent groundwater from entering the tank, and prevent wastewater from exiting the tank, except through designed inlet and outlet openings. Materials used shall be steel-reinforced poured-in-place concrete, steel-reinforced precast concrete, fiberglass, reinforced plastic polyethylene, or other materials approved by the executive director. Metal septic tanks are prohibited. The septic tank shall be structurally designed to resist buckling from internal hydraulic loading and exterior loading caused by earth fill and additional surface loads. Tanks exhibiting deflections, leaks, or structural defects shall not be used. Sweating at construction joints is acceptable on concrete tanks.(i) Precast concrete tanks. In addition to the general requirements in this subparagraph, precast concrete tanks shall conform to requirements in the Materials and Manufacture Section and the Structural Design Requirements Section of ASTM Designation: C 1227, Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Septic Tanks (2000) or under any other standards approved by the executive director. A professional engineer shall verify in writing that the manufacturer is in compliance with ASTM Standard C 1227. This verification shall be submitted to the permitting authority from the tank manufacturer. If this verification has not been previously submitted or accepted by the permitting authority, a new verification shall be completed within 30 days of the effective date of this section.(ii) Fiberglass and plastic polyethylene tank specifications.(I) The tank shall be fabricated to perform its intended function when installed. The tank shall not be adversely affected by normal vibration, shock, climate conditions, nor typical household chemicals. The tank shall be free of rough or sharp edges that would interfere with installation or service of the tank.(II) Full or empty tanks shall not collapse or rupture when subjected to earth and hydrostatic pressures.(iii) Poured-in-place concrete tanks. Concrete tanks shall be structurally sound and water-tight. The concrete tank shall be designed by a professional engineer.(iv) Tank manufacturer specifications. All precast or prefabricated tanks shall be clearly and permanently marked, tagged, or stamped with the manufacturer's name, address, and tank capacity. The identification shall be near the level of the outlet and be clearly visible. Additionally, the direction of flow into and out of the tank shall be indicated by arrows or other identification, and shall be clearly marked at the inlet and outlet.(F) Installation of tanks. For gravity disposal systems, septic tanks must be installed with at least a 12 inch drop in elevation from the bottom of the outlet pipe to the bottom of the disposal area. A minimum of four inches of sand, sandy loam, clay loam, or pea gravel, free of rock larger than 1/2 inch in diameter, shall be placed under and around all tanks, except poured-in-place concrete tanks. Unless otherwise approved by the permitting authority, tank excavations shall be left open until they have been inspected by the permitting authority. Tank excavations must be backfilled with soil or pea gravel that is free of rock larger than 1/2 inch in diameter. Class IV soils and gravel larger than one-half inch in diameter are not acceptable for use as backfill material. If the top of a septic tank extends above the ground surface, soil may be mounded over the tank to maintain slope to the drainfield.(G) Pretreatment (Trash) tanks. If an aerobic treatment unit does not prevent plastic and other non-digestible sewage from interfering with aeration lines and diffusers, the executive director may require the use of a pretreatment tank. All pretreatment tanks shall meet all applicable structural and fitting requirements of this section.(H) Leak Testing. At the discretion of the permitting authority, leak testing using water filled to the inside level of the tank lid or to the top of the tank riser(s) may be required.(2) Intermittent sand filters. A typical layout and cross-section of an intermittent sand filter is presented in § 285.90(8) of this title. Requirements for intermittent sand filters are as follows. (A) Sand media specifications. Sand filter media must meet ASTM C-33 specifications as outlined in § 285.91(11) of this title.(B) Loading rate. The loading rate shall not exceed 1.2 gallons per day per square foot.(C) Surface area. The minimum surface area shall be calculated using the formula: Q/1.2=Surface Area (Square Feet), where Q is the wastewater flow in gallons per day.(D) Thickness of sand media. There shall be a minimum of 24 inches of sand media.(E) Filter bed containment. The filter bed containment shall be an impervious lined pit or tank. Liners shall meet the specifications detailed in § 285.33(b)(2)(A) of this title (relating to Criteria for Effluent Disposal Systems).(F) Underdrains. For gravity discharge of effluent to a drainfield, there shall be a three inch layer of pea gravel over a six inch layer of 0.75 inch gravel, that contains the underdrain collection pipe. When pumpwells are to be used to pump the effluent from the underdrain to the drainfield, they must be constructed of concrete or plastic sewer pipe. The pumpwell must contain a sufficient number of holes so that effluent can flow from the gravel void space as rapidly as the effluent is pumped out of the pumpwell to the drainfield. Refer to § 285.90(9) of this title.(c) Proprietary treatment systems. This subsection does not apply to proprietary septic tanks described in subsection (b)(1) of this section. (1) Tank sizing. Proprietary treatment systems that serve single family residences, combined flows from single family residences, or multi-unit residential developments shall be designed using Table II in § 285.91(2) of this title unless there is an equalization tank preceding the aerobic treatment unit. If there is an equalization tank preceding the aerobic treatment unit, the equalization tank shall meet the requirements set forth in § 285.34(b)(4) of this title (relating to Other Requirements) and the aerobic treatment units can be sized using the wastewater flows in Table III in § 285.91(3) of this title. Proprietary Treatment systems for non-residential facilities shall be sized using the wastewater flows in Table III in § 285.91(3) of this title. Leak testing shall be performed in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(H) of this section.(2) Installation. Proprietary treatment systems shall be installed according to this subchapter. If the manufacturer has installation specifications that are more stringent than given in this subchapter, the manufacturer shall submit these specifications to the executive director for review. If approved by the executive director, the treatment systems may be installed according to these more stringent specifications. Any subsequent changes to these manufacturer's installation specifications must be approved by the executive director before installation. Inspection, cleanout ports, or maintenance ports shall have risers installed according to the riser installation provisions in subsection (b)(1)(D) of this section. Tank excavations shall be backfilled according to the backfill provisions in subsection (b)(1)(F) of this section. At the discretion of the permitting authority, leak testing using water filled to the inside level of the tank lid or to the top of the riser(s) may be required.(3) System maintenance. Ongoing maintenance contracts are required for all proprietary treatment systems except those systems maintained by homeowners under the provisions of § 285.7(d)(4) of this title (relating to Maintenance Requirements). The maintenance contract shall satisfy § 285.7(d) of this title.(4) Electrical wiring. Electrical wiring for proprietary systems shall be according to § 285.34(c) of this title.(5) Approval of proprietary treatment systems. Proprietary treatment systems must be approved by the executive director prior to their installation and use. Approval of proprietary treatment systems shall follow the procedures found in this section. After the effective date of these rules, only systems tested according to subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph will be placed on the list of approved systems. The list may be obtained from the executive director. All systems on the list of approved systems on the effective date of these rules shall continue to be listed subject to the retesting requirements in paragraph (6) of this subsection. In addition, all proprietary treatment systems undergoing testing under this paragraph on the effective date of these rules shall be considered for inclusion on the list of approved systems. (A) Treatment systems that have been tested by and are currently listed by NSF International as Class I systems under NSF Standard 40 (2005) or have been tested and certified as Class I systems according to NSF Standard 40 (2005), by an American National Standard Institute (ANSI) accredited testing institution, or under any other standards approved by the executive director, shall be considered for approval by the executive director. All systems approved by the executive director on the effective date of these rules shall continue to be listed on the list of approved systems, subject to retesting under the requirements of NSF Standard 40 (2005), and Certification Policies for Wastewater Treatment Devices (1997) or under any standards approved by the executive director. The manufacturers of proprietary treatment systems and the accredited certification institution must comply with all the provisions of NSF Standard 40 (2005), and Certification Policies for Wastewater Treatment Devices (1997) or under any standards approved by the executive director.(i) Proprietary units under this section have been approved to treat flows equal to or less than their rated capacity and with an influent wastewater strength ranging from a 30-day average Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD) concentration between 100 milligrams per liter (mg/l) and 300 mg/l and a 30-day average TSS concentration between 100 mg/l and 350 mg/l.(ii) Proprietary units may be used as components in an overall treatment system treating influent stronger than the ranges listed in this section. However, the overall treatment system will be considered a non-standard treatment system and shall meet the requirements set forth in subsection (d) of this section.(B) Treatment systems that will not be accepted for testing because of system size or type by NSF International, or ANSI accredited third party testing institutions, and are not approved systems at the time of the effective date of these rules, may only be approved in the following manner.(i) The proprietary systems shall be tested by an independent third party for two years and all the supporting data from the test shall be submitted to the executive director for review and approval, or denial before the system is marketed for sale in the state.(ii) The independent third party shall obtain a temporary authorization from the executive director before testing. The temporary authorization shall contain the following: (I) the number of systems to be tested (between 20 and 50);(II) the location of the test sites (the test sites must be typical of the sites where the system will be used if final authorization is granted);(III) provisions as to how the proprietary system will be installed and maintained;(IV) the testing protocol for collecting and analyzing samples from the system;(V) the equipment monitoring procedures, if applicable; and(VI) provisions for recording data and data retention necessary to evaluate the performance as well as the effect of the proprietary system on public health, groundwater, and surface waters.(iii) Permitting authorities may issue authorizations to construct upon receipt of the temporary authorization. The owner must be advised, in writing, that the system is temporarily approved for testing. If a system fails, regardless of the reason, it shall be replaced with a system that meets the requirements of this subchapter by the manufacturer at the manufacturer's expense. A system installed under this subparagraph is the responsibility of the manufacturer until the system has obtained final authorization by the executive director according to this subparagraph.(iv) Upon completion of the two-year test period, the executive director shall require the independent third party to submit a detailed report on the performance of the system. After evaluating the report, the executive director may issue conditional approval of the system, or may deny use of the system.(I) The conditional approval will authorize installations only in areas similar to the area in which the system was tested.(II) The conditional approval shall be for a specified performance and evaluation (monitoring) period, not to exceed an additional five years. The system must be monitored according to a plan approved by the executive director. Approval or disapproval of these systems will be based on their performance during the monitoring period. Failure of one or more of the installed systems may be cause for disapproval of the proprietary system. The owner must be advised, in writing, that the system is conditionally approved.(III) If the executive director denies use of the system after the two-year period, the executive director shall provide, in writing, the reasons for denying the use of the system. If a system fails, regardless of the reason, it shall be replaced with a system that meets the requirements of this subchapter by the manufacturer at the manufacturer's expense.(v) Upon successful completion of the monitoring period, the monitoring requirements may be lifted by the executive director, the notice of approval may be made permanent for the test systems and the systems will be deemed suitable for use in conditions similar to areas in which the systems were tested and monitored.(6) System reviews. The manufacturers of systems that are approved for listing under this section shall ensure that their systems are reviewed every seven years, or as often as deemed necessary by the executive director, starting from the date the system was originally added to the executive director's approved list. All reviews shall be completed before the end of the seven-year period. The manufacturer of any system that was approved by the executive director more than seven years before the effective date of these rules, will be given 365 days from the effective date of these rules to complete a review.(A) The review shall be performed by either an ANSI accredited institution according to the reevaluation requirements in NSF Standard 40 (2005), and Certification Policies for Wastewater Treatment Devices (1997), or under any standards approved by the executive director, or by an independent third party for those systems not tested under NSF Standard 40.(B) If the system being reviewed was not approved under the requirements of NSF Standard 40, the independent third party shall evaluate between 20 and 50 systems in the state that have been in operation for at least two years and are the same design as originally approved.(C) The review under this subsection shall include an evaluation of: (i) the short-term and long-term effectiveness of the system;(ii) the structural integrity of the system;(iii) the maintenance of the system;(iv) owner access to maintenance support;(v) any impacts that system failures may have had on the environment; and(vi) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the manufacturer's installer training program.(D) Any system that is not approved by the executive director as a result of the review will be removed from the list of approved systems. The manufacturer shall ensure that maintenance support remains available for the existing systems.(d) Non-standard treatment systems. All OSSFs not described or defined in subsections (b) and (c) of this section are non-standard treatment systems. These systems shall be designed by a professional engineer or a professional sanitarian in accordance with § 285.91(9) of this title, and the planning materials shall be submitted to the permitting authority for review according to § 285.5(b)(2) of this title (relating to Submittal Requirements for Planning Materials). Upon approval of the planning materials, an authorization to construct will be issued by the permitting authority.(1) Non-standard treatment systems include all forms of the activated sludge process, rotating biological contactors, recirculating sand filters, trickling type filters, submerged rock biological filters, and sand filters not described in subsection (b)(2) of this section.(2) The planning materials for non-standard treatment systems submitted for review will be evaluated using the criteria established in this chapter, or basic engineering and scientific principles.(3) Approval for a non-standard treatment system is limited to the specific system described in the planning materials. Approval is on a case-by-case basis only.(4) The need for ongoing maintenance contracts shall be determined by the permitting authority based on the review required by § 285.5(b) of this title. If the permitting authority determines that a maintenance contract is required, the contract must meet the requirements in § 285.7 of this title.(5) Electrical wiring for non-standard treatment systems shall be installed according to §285.34(c) of this title.(e) Effluent quality. The following effluent criteria shall be met by the treatment systems for those disposal systems listed in § 285.33 of this title that require secondary treatment. Attached Graphic
(f) Other Design Considerations.(1) Restaurant/food establishment sewage. When designing for restaurants, food service establishments, or similar activities, the minimum design strength value shall be 1,200 mg/l Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) after a properly sized grease trap/interceptor. It is the responsibility of the designer to properly design a system which reduces the wastewater strength to 140 mg/l BOD prior to disposal unless secondary treatment levels are required.(2) Other high-strength sewage. For situations where sewage as defined in this chapter is expected to be a higher strength than residential sewage, it is the responsibility of the professional designer to justify sewage design strength estimations and properly design a system that reduces the wastewater strength to 140 mg/l BOD prior to disposal unless secondary treatment levels are required. Residential sewage is sewage that has a strength of less than 300 mg/l BOD.(3) Flow equalization. The designer should consider whether flow-equalization will be needed for the treatment system to function properly.30 Tex. Admin. Code § 285.32
The provisions of this §285.32 adopted to be effective February 5, 1997, 22 TexReg 1114; amended to be effective January 8, 1999, 24 TexReg 139; amended to be effective June 13, 2001, 26 TexReg 4115; amended to be effective September 11, 2008, 33 TexReg 7536; amended to be effective December 27, 2012, 37 TexReg 9947; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 48, Number 26, June 30, 2023, TexReg 3512, eff. 7/6/2023