PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Permits are required when establishing a new residence or installing/modifying a septic system in Polk County.  When building a new home or installing a modular (mobile) home there are three permits required: 9-1-1 , Development and On-Site Septic Facility Permit. 

The 911 Permit will provide you with a physical address, which will eventually be your mailing address (do not use as mailing address until notified by the U.S. Postal Service).  This physical address aids emergency services in locating your home or place of business in the event of an emergency (see related 9-1-1/GPS site for additional information).  The 911 Permit fee is $25.00.

The Development Permit was established to regulate building in the floodplain (see related National Flood Insurance Program site for additional information). It is against federal law to build on or move anything into the floodplain without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Certificate from a registered surveyor or engineer; because of this, we have to determine that your property is not located in the floodplain before any permits can be issued. We do this by pin-pointing the exact location of your property on a map and comparing it to official floodplain locations, thus, determining whether or not you are in the floodplain.  When we have established that you are not in the floodplain a permit will be issued to you (your electric company will request this permit number).  

The Development Permit fee is $25.00.

Polk County is the authorized agent for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to enforce and regulate on-site septic facilities (OSSF) in the County.  A permit must be obtained before installing or modifying a septic system.  All septic systems must meet minimum state standards and be inspected by the County Inspector.  Lisa Andreas is the Designated Representative (Inspector) for Polk County.  

The OSSF Permit fee is $160.00 for a new installation/ the Repair Permit fee is $60.00.

For Additional information e-mail us at emcpolk@livingston.net or call us at 936-327-6826

FEMA floodplain and NFIP Flood Insurance link

Floodplain information is available to you upon request.                  

Link:   Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

     Conventional Septic Tank/Drain Field

     Figure 1: A septic tank and soil absorption field system.

    Click image to enlarge             

 Conventional septic systems have traditionally been the most commonly used technology for treating wastewater. These systems use gravity to treat and distribute wastewater in the soil. They have the lowest cost and require the least amount of maintenance, which is generally limited to periodic pumping of the septic tank.

A conventional gravity flow septic system consists of a series of tanks or a compartmented tank followed by a distribution system. The septic tanks are used to settle out solids and partially treat wastewater before it reaches the distribution system. The distribution system can be one of the standard subsurface drain field options. They consist of gravel‑filled trenches, plastic chambers or plastic pipe installed underground to hold the wastewater leaving the tanks until it can seep into surrounding soil.

The soil provides most of the wastewater treatment. Soil particles filter solids and organic matter from the wastewater. Microbes living in the soil break down the solids and kill the Bacteria and pathogens in the wastewater.

The size of the tanks and distribution system are based on the number of bedrooms in the house and the type of soil where the distribution system is installed.

Click Image to enlarge

Figure 2: A two-compartment septic tank

Advantages

 The conventional gravity flow septic system is usually the most inexpensive system to install and operate for on‑site wastewater disposal.

Disadvantages

 Conventional gravity flow septic systems cannot be installed in clay soils, shallow soils, rock, soils that become saturated during wet periods of the year, or soils with a high water table. A two foot separation must be maintained between the bottom of the distribution system and saturated soils or restrictive soils such as heavy clay or rock.

Additional publications can be downloaded

from:    http://texaserc.tamu.edu/catalog

How to keep it working

The septic tank needs to be pumped a minimum of every 2 to 3 years. How often the tanks should be pumped depends on their size, the number of people living in the house and their waste management habits.

 The distribution systems need limited maintenance:

Generally, the distribution area should be protected from excessive rainwater runoff so it can accept wastewater from the house.

Maintaining a grass cover over the soil distribution system will help remove water from the soil.

The system is designed to manage a specific volume of water. Leaking faucets and toilets need to be fixed. Low-flow devices will help reduce the wastewater volume.

 Estimated costs

 The installation cost ranges from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the soil type, house size and other factors.

 Septic tank maintenance costs are about $75 a year, based on a 3-year pump out. More frequent maintenance increases the cost.

 The On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems series of publications is a result of collaborative efforts of various agencies, organizations and funding sources. We would like to acknowledge the following collaborators: