Webinar on managing home septic systems scheduled for Dec. 11
Clinic will provide basic understanding of the operational and maintenance activities
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership will host a free clinic on how to properly and safely manage home septic systems on Dec. 11.
The Lampasas River watershed encompasses parts of Mills, Hamilton, Lampasas, Coryell, Burnet, Bell and Williamson counties.
The virtual clinic is slated from noon to 1:30 p.m., and online registration is available at https://tx.ag/Lampasas. Once registered, participants will receive a link to the webinar.
“Home septic systems, also known as on-site sewage systems, or OSSFs, are used to treat wastewater before it is dispersed on the property and are typically found in rural areas or areas that are not able to connect to a municipal waste collection system,” said Joshua Segura, AgriLife Extension on-site sewage facilities program specialist, Bryan-College Station.
“Systems that are not functioning properly can contaminate our waterways with bacteria and other pollutants, in addition to causing human health hazards,” Segura said.
Understanding septic systems
The clinic will provide a basic understanding of the operational and maintenance activities of a septic system and explain how activities within the home impact septic systems. This clinic does not certify homeowners to perform their own quarterly inspections required for aerobic systems.
“There will be presentations over health and safety considerations, how to care for and feed the system, and general maintenance procedures,” said Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension specialist and associate professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Temple. “The remainder of the clinic will offer participants the opportunity to ask questions in an informal and interactive manner.”
Lisa Prcin, AgriLife Research specialist and Lampasas River Watershed coordinator, Temple, said the clinic will also discuss implementation of the OSSF components of the Lampasas River Watershed Protection Plan.
“Through two rounds of federal grant funds, we’ve been able to assist approximately 40 homeowners in offsetting the costs of repairing or replacing failing septic systems that may be contributing bacteria and other pollutants to our local waterways,” said Prcin. “Although the current funding cycle is almost complete, we anticipate a third round of funding in late 2025.”
Lampasas River watershed protection plan
Failing septic systems were identified by the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership as a potential source of bacterial contamination in nearby streams and waterways. The septic system maintenance clinic is offered as an educational component of the Lampasas River Watershed Protection Plan.
The protection plan was developed and implemented by the Lampasas River Watershed Partnership, a collaborative effort by local stakeholders, AgriLife Research, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to address water quality concerns within the Lampasas River watershed.
Funding and support for the Lampasas Watershed Protection Plan is provided through Clean Water Act nonpoint source grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For questions, contact Prcin at 254-774-6008 or [email protected]. For information about septic systems in Texas, visit https://ossf.tamu.edu.
