FortBendNow.com

The Fort Bend County Commissioner’s Court has adopted a revised on site sewage facility fee schedule, as well as a regulatory framework to help better control poorly maintained septic systems.

County commissioners adopted the new schedule on Dec. 8; its provisions became effective Jan. 1.

In addition to the revised fee schedule, a new annual maintenance contract renewal fee was adopted to increase the level of oversight and enforcement of on site sewage facilities requiring routine maintenance.

Troy Scalco, the county director of environmental health said the effort was aimed at protecting the environment, as well as the health of county residents, from poorly maintained septic systems.

“Our mission is to protect the public, consumer and environmental health of the people in Fort Bend County. Inappropriately maintained septic systems can spread disease and have potential adverse effects on human health, water quality and ecosystems,” Scalco said. “Our goal is to increase the number of spot or site inspections of these systems and ensure that both the property owner is maintaining compliance and that the licensed contractor is doing their part.”

Ongoing service contracts are required for systems that use secondary treatment, drip irrigation and surface application disposal. After expiration of the initial two-year maintenance contract, property owners are required to pay an annual $20 maintenance contract renewal fee.

The fee will be collected and processed when renewal maintenance contracts are submitted. Any renewing contract received after Jan. 1 without the fee will be denied and returned.

Any renewal contracts submitted for two or more years must pay the annual fee for the length of the contract.

Scalco stressed that it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain an annual service contract held by a certified or state licensed maintenance provider for the life of the system.

Failure to maintain a maintenance contract can result in legal action against the property owner.