The Big Elm Creek Partnership is hosting a free educational class on septic system maintenance for area homeowners on Oct. 5. The partnership is supported by Texas Water Resources Institute and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The program will be from 1-3 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 720 E. Blackland Road, Temple.
Seating is limited. Preregistration is required by calling 979-255-1819 or emailing ward.ling@ag.tamu.edu.
“Septic systems are not ‘flush and forget’ systems,” said Ward Ling, Texas Water Resources Institute program specialist and watershed coordinator, Bryan-College Station. “Therefore, maintenance is essential to ensure proper function and longevity of your septic systems.”
Workshop topics
The class will cover the treatment processes, health and safety considerations, and an overview of how to inspect and maintain septic systems.
The program will provide attendees with a basic understanding of the operational and maintenance activities of conventional and aerobic septic systems, explain how activities within the home impact septic systems, and present an overview of the Big Elm Creek Watershed Protection Plan, Ling said.
“This course also provides answers to the most frequently asked septic system questions, including when to pump out a tank, and what can or cannot go down the drain,” he said.
Big Elm Creek Partnership
The Big Elm Creek Partnership was initiated in 2018 during the development of the Big Elm Creek Watershed Protection Plan. The creek is impaired for not meeting the recreational standard due to having elevated concentrations of E. coli. The Big Elm Creek Watershed Protection Plan was accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, in 2021.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is supporting implementation activities for the Big Elm Creek watershed with funding provided by the EPA through a Clean Water Act grant.
To learn more about efforts to improve water quality in Big Elm Creek, visit bigelmcreek.twri.tamu.edu/.
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