Health & Code Compliance Department
Joel Ardoin

Summary

The Environmental Health Division of the Orange County Health Department performs specialized inspections with approving septic tank installations in the County. This involves inspecting plans for septic tank installations and issuing permits for their use or advising contractors, property owners, etc., on steps to take to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Environmental health is responsible for investigating complaints pertaining to existing septic systems, and advising parties involved of violations and necessary corrective actions.

Environmental Health

Environmental Health is the application of basic and natural sciences, to engage in the promotion and protection of man's health, safety, and well-being by applying technical knowledge to the solution of problems of a sanitary nature and developing methods for the hygienic control of his environment. Generally, the sanitarian performs responsible supervisory and sanitation work in a recognized health department or in industry; recommends and promotes adequate improvements of environmental sanitation on public and private premises.

The Orange County Health Inspector

Reviews plans for septic system or on-site sewage facility installation and issuing permits for their use as well as advising contractors and property owners of the correct steps to take to comply with applicable laws and regulations. A Health Inspector investigates complaints pertaining to existing septic systems, and advises parties involved of violations and necessary corrective actions, as appropriate.

 

Requirements to Secure a Permit to Construct a Private Sewerage Facility

1. A Permit to Construct is required before facility construction begins. An application must be fully completed and submitted.

2. The permit fee is $_________. A Flood Plain Development Permit is required. The fee for the Flood Plain Development Permit is $__________. Fees are non-refundable and are to be paid at time of application.

3. Major information required for the Permit to Construct includes the following:

Site plan, site evaluation, and soil analysis results from a Professional Engineer or Sanitarian showing a facility can be installed on the property which meets the requirements of the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission's "Construction Standards". A list of Engineers and Sanitarians is available upon request.

Legal description of the property, which includes name of the subdivision, street name, unit number, lot number and block number, or abstract and tract numbers.

Map and/or directions to property.

Type of development such as residential, commercial, or institutional. If residential, give number of bedrooms and square feet of living area.

4. A final inspection of the facility is required. At the time of inspection the installer should have: tanks in place, drainfield constructed, pipe and gravel connected and grouted, houseline connected to tank, an instrument set up, suitable backfill material on site (if required). This office must be contacted at least the day before an inspection if needed.

5. After the final inspection and approval of the facility, the owner of the property will be issued a License to Operate. The license is required before the facility is put into use.

Procedure:

The applicant first contacts an Engineer or Sanitarian regarding the site evaluation. A Flood Plain Development permit is then obtained.

Forms

AFFIDAVIT TO THE PUBLIC:

APPLICATION FOR ON-SITE SEWAGE FACILITY:

ON-SITE WASTE WATER SYSTEM CHECKLIST FOR PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED SYSTEM:

 PERMITTING PROCESS

Health and Safety Code – Chapter 366

Sec. 366.004 Compliance Required

A person may not construct, alter, repair, or extend, or cause to be constructed, altered,repaired, or extended, an on-site sewage disposal system that does not comply with this chapter and applicable rules.

Sec. 366.051 Permits

(a) A person must hold a permit and an approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extended, or operate an on-site sewage    disposal system.

Sec. 366.054 Notice From Installer

An installer may not begin construction, alteration, repair, or extension of an on-site sewage disposal system unless the installer notifies the commission or authorized agent of the date on which the installer plans to begin work on the system.

Sec. 366.055 Inspections

(b) An on-site sewage disposal system may not be used unless it is inspected and approved by the commission or the authorized agent.

Sec. 366.056 Approval of On-Site Sewage Disposal System

(b) If a system is not approved under this section, the on-site sewage disposal system may not be used until all deficiencies are corrected and the system is re-inspected and approved by the commission or authorized agent.

Sec.366.057. Permit Issuance

(b) A permit and approved plan to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an on-site sewage disposal system must be issued in the name of the person who owns the system and must identify the specific property location or address for the specific construction, alteration, extension, repair, or operation proposed by the person.

If you have any questions about the above requirements of the Health and Safety Code, please contact this office at the above address or telephone number.