Regulations and Resources

Regulations


Septic regulations are put into place to protect you as the homeowner/occupant, your septic system, and the environment. Septic oversight and statutes were put in effect in 1989 and have been enhanced and improved since that time. While the Town of Flower Mound follows the State laws concerning on-site wastewater, the Town has adopted its own ordinance for septic oversight. Though the Town can be more stringent and is more stringent on some items, most items are as found in state law. The Town adopted the local On-Site Sewage Facility ordinance to further enhance protection of the greater good of the public and the environment.

The following sections will explain the regulatory agencies and their roles, septic professionals, rules and regulations, and projects and permitting.

The Players

  • TCEQ: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, is the overall governing body for on-site sewage facilities. At the turn of the 20th century, Texas started regulating natural resources starting with water conservation and water rights. Throughout the last century, this regulatory agency has evolved into what is now the TCEQ. Starting in 1989, Texas started uniformly regulating on-site sewage facilities to protect the population, the drinking water, and the environment. The TCEQ regulations allow for city and municipal governments to enforce the laws and regulations and to have stricter laws than the state to further protect the people and the environment.
  • Authorized Agent: The Town of Flower Mound is the Authorized Agent authorized by TCEQ to implement and enforce the OSSF laws and regulations. The Town is the permitting authority for all septic related projects including new residential construction, residential remodels, private pools, fences, patios, accessory buildings and garages, etc.
  • Designated Representative (DR): A Designated Representative is an individual who holds a DR certificate issued by the TCEQ and is designated to work on behalf of the Authorized Agent to do inspections, plan reviews, permitting, and system evaluations. The Environmental Health Specialists within the Town are the Designated Representatives. Please contact Environmental Health to speak with one of them.
  • Site Evaluator (SE): A Site Evaluator is an individual who visits a site and conducts a pre-construction site evaluation following TCEQ rules which include performing a soil analysis, a site survey, and other criteria necessary to determine the suitability of a site for a specific OSSF.
  • Installer: an installer is a person licensed through TCEQ who is legally allowed to install septic systems.
  • Designer: a designer is a Registered Sanitarian or a Professional Engineer who is legally allowed to design a septic system based on the results of the site evaluation.
  • Pumper: a septic tank pumper is a professional licensed to pump, transport, and dispose of septic waste in approved locations.

The Rules

The State of Texas utilizes the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to oversee and administer the On-Site Sewage Facility Program. The rules can be found within the Texas Administrative Code and Texas Health and Safety Code. In addition to the rules governed by the State/TCEQ, the Town of Flower Mound has adopted a local ordinance pertaining to on-site waste disposal. The Town’s ordinance was reviewed and approved by the TCEQ. The Town follows along with the State regulations but has approved some portions that are more stringent than State law in order for greater protection of the public and environmental health.

To view these noted laws, please see the Resources section below. Links to each of these are provided within this section.

The Works

Being a homeowner typically involves home improvement and beautification projects. When planning for these projects, it is important to consider all areas of the property, including the septic system and all of the associated components. The information below will provide details for planning through completion of numerous projects.

One key note to remember when building a house, remodeling a house, or purchasing a house that utilizes an On-Site Sewage Facility, is to retain records of your system. The licensed installer should provide you with all of the documents, including an “as-built” drawing, relating to the septic system, so that in the event of a problem or the desire for a home improvement project, the locations of all portions of the septic system are known. EHS also maintains a copy of the drawings and related permitting documents.

For each septic related project, there are required documents. These documents are required by State law to be submitted prior to the issuance of the “Authorization to Construct” and have specifics that are not able to be dismissed or omitted. The projects below will require some or all of the listed paperwork. The plan review will advise the septic contractor of any required documents and any items that are lacking.

OSSF Contractors and Maintenance Providers

The Town of Flower Mound requires that all septic systems utilizing secondary treatment, e.g. chlorination and oxygen, have an on-going maintenance contract at all times. As a requirement of state law and by local ordinance, maintenance providers must be licensed by the state and registered with the town annually.

The following link is a current list of registered OSSF contractors and maintenance providers in the Town. Please note, this is not an endorsement or recommendation of any of the listed contractors.

Registered OSSF Contractors

Government Agencies

Town of Flower Mound Environmental Health 
Environmental Health Services is the branch of local government charged with protection of environmental health through oversight of the food and public pool programs, mosquito program, and On-Site Sewage Facility program. Please contact EHS at 972.874.6340 or visit the Town's Septic webpage. Questions or concerns may also be sent to via email.

Texas Commission On Environmental Quality
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the environmental agency for the State. The TCEQ strives to protect our state's public health and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. Our goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.

Environmental Protection Agency
The mission of Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment.

Texas Department of State Health Services
The mission of the Texas Department of State Health Services is to improve health and well-being in Texas.

Denton County
The Environmental Health Division of the Denton County Health Department administers the Denton County on-site sewage facility (OSSF) order throughout the unincorporated portions of Denton County. This involves reviewing OSSF designs, issuing permits to construct, conducting specialized final inspections and enforcing the applicable rules and regulations. They advise contractors and property owners of essential public health protection practices.

Centers for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and health education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

Occupational Health & Safety Administration
With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

Rules, Regulations, and Laws

Town of Flower Mound Ordinance 56-10
Texas Administrative Code- 30 Tac Chapter 285 On-Site Sewage Facilities 
30 TAC 30 Subchapter G 
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 366- On-Site Sewage Facilities 
CDC Water Quality

EPA:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Septic Smart                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Septic Smart Educational Materials


OSHA: Personal Protective Equipment

TCEQ: 
Emergency repairs
Duties of owners of malfunctioning systems
Disposal of Graywater
Disposal of Graywater