Aerobic Septic System Maintenance Requirements in Texas (2026 Guide)

Texas requires aerobic septic inspections every 4 months under a mandatory contract costing $200 to $500 per year, with fines up to $100/day for noncompliance.

If you own an aerobic septic system in Texas, you have more maintenance obligations than your neighbors with conventional systems. Per TCEQ 30 TAC Chapter 285, aerobic systems require inspections, maintenance contracts, and county reporting that conventional systems don't. Most homeowners only learn about these requirements when something goes wrong.

This guide pulls all of the aerobic maintenance requirements into one place, written for homeowners, not engineers.

How Often Must Aerobic Systems Be Inspected in Texas?

Texas requires aerobic septic systems to be inspected every 4 months by a TCEQ-licensed provider, totaling three inspections per year.

The core requirement is simple: your aerobic system must be inspected by a TCEQ-licensed maintenance provider at least once every 4 months. That's three inspections per year, every year, for as long as the system operates.

What the Inspector Checks

During each visit, your maintenance provider goes through a detailed checklist that covers every component of your system:

Component	What They Check
Aerator/air pump	Running properly, adequate airflow, clean filters
Submersible pump	Operating correctly, no unusual noise or vibration
Float switches	Triggering at correct water levels
Alarm system	High-water alarm functional (audible and visual)
Control box/timer	Settings correct, no error codes, wiring intact
Chlorine disinfection	Tablet supply present, tablet feeder working
Spray heads	Spraying properly, not clogged, correct coverage area
Spray field condition	No ponding, no runoff, grass absorbing treated water
Sludge levels	Measured in all tanks, pumping recommended if needed
Electrical circuits	All connections secure, breakers functioning
Identification tag	Marked or punched to record the visit date

Your provider doesn't just glance at the system. A thorough inspection takes 30 to 45 minutes. If a provider is in and out in 10 minutes, they're cutting corners.

The 6-Month Exception

If your system has TCEQ-approved electronic monitoring that tracks equipment failures and disinfection levels and automatically alerts your maintenance provider, the inspection interval drops to every 6 months. Most residential systems don't have this setup. Unless your installer specifically told you about electronic monitoring at installation, plan on three visits a year.

What Does Your Maintenance Contract Require?

TCEQ requires a continuous, signed maintenance contract with a licensed provider for every aerobic system in Texas, costing $200 to $500 per year.

You can't just call someone when you feel like it. TCEQ requires a signed maintenance contract that stays active continuously.

What the Contract Must Include

Under 30 TAC Chapter 285, your maintenance contract must specify:

The name and TCEQ license number of the maintenance provider
The inspection schedule (every 4 months or 6 months with monitoring)
Response times for complaints and system failures
What services are covered and what costs extra
The homeowner's responsibilities (like calling when you notice a problem)

TCEQ licenses individuals, not companies. Your contract is with a specific licensed person, even if they work for a larger company. If your maintenance provider leaves that company, you may need a new contract.

Contract Cost by Texas Region

Maintenance contract pricing varies across Texas based on competition and travel distances.

Region	Annual Contract Cost	Notes
Houston metro	$200 - $350	Most competitive, many providers
Austin metro	$250 - $400	Growing demand in suburbs
San Antonio metro	$250 - $400	Hill Country properties may cost more
Dallas-Fort Worth	$225 - $375	Large market, moderate competition
Hill Country	$300 - $500	Longer travel distances, fewer providers
Rural areas	$300 - $500	Travel fees add to base cost

Most contracts cover the three required inspections per year. Some providers bundle minor repairs (replacing chlorine tablets, cleaning spray heads) into the contract price. Others charge for anything beyond the inspection itself.

Questions to ask before signing:

Are chlorine tablets included or extra?
What happens if you find a problem during inspection?
Do you charge a separate trip fee for repairs?
What's your response time for emergency calls?
Will you file reports with my county, and do I get copies?

How to Find a Licensed Provider

Your maintenance provider must hold a TCEQ maintenance license. To verify:

Ask for their individual TCEQ license number
Check with your county permitting authority for a list of approved providers
Ask your septic installer for referrals (many installers also do maintenance)
Call TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance line at 1-800-447-2827

Don't assume that all septic companies handle aerobic maintenance. Conventional system pumpers may not have the aerobic maintenance license. Always verify.

What Gets Reported to Your County?

Your maintenance provider must file an inspection report with your county within 14 days of each visit, documenting system condition and any needed repairs.

After each inspection, your maintenance provider must submit a report to your local permitting authority (usually the county health department or environmental services department) within 14 days. The report includes:

System condition at time of inspection
All components checked and their status
Any malfunctions or needed repairs
Sludge levels and whether pumping is needed
The identification tag marking for that visit

You should also receive a copy of each report. Keep these with your home records. They're valuable when selling your home, since buyers and their inspectors will want to see maintenance history.

What the County Does with Reports

Your county tracks compliance. They know which systems have active contracts and which don't. If your provider reports a malfunction and you don't address it within a reasonable timeframe, the county can escalate.

Counties vary in how aggressively they enforce, but the authority is there. Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties in the Austin area are known for active enforcement. Harris County (Houston) has a large number of aerobic systems and tracks compliance through its public health department.

What Happens If You Skip Maintenance?

Skipping aerobic maintenance in Texas can trigger county fines up to $100 per day and lead to system failure costing $8,000 to $15,000 to replace.

This is where homeowners get into trouble. Many people let their maintenance contract lapse, either because they moved and forgot to set up a new one, or because they decided the annual cost wasn't worth it.

Legal Consequences

Under 30 TAC Chapter 285 and the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366:

Your county permitting authority can issue written violations
Fines vary by county, but penalties can reach $100 per day for ongoing violations
In serious cases, the county can refer the matter to the state attorney general's office
A malfunctioning system that discharges untreated sewage is a criminal offense under Texas Health and Safety Code

Practical Consequences

Beyond legal issues, skipping maintenance creates real problems. The EPA estimates that up to 10% of septic systems nationwide fail each year, often because of inadequate maintenance.

System failure. Without regular inspection, small problems become big ones. A failed aerator that goes unnoticed for 6 months can kill the bacteria in your treatment tank, turning it into an expensive holding tank.
Spray head issues. Clogged or misaligned spray heads can send treated water onto your neighbor's property or into areas where children and pets play. This creates liability.
Selling your home. Texas real estate transactions involving aerobic systems require proof of a valid maintenance contract. Buyers' inspectors check for compliance. A lapsed contract can delay or kill a sale. See our guide on selling a house with septic issues.
Expensive repairs. A well-maintained aerobic system lasts 15 to 20 years. A neglected one may need major component replacement in under 10 years. Aerator replacement alone costs $500 to $1,200.

Getting Back Into Compliance

If your contract has lapsed, here's how to get current:

Call a TCEQ-licensed maintenance provider in your area
Schedule an initial inspection (expect to pay $100 to $200 for the first visit, since they need to assess the full system)
Sign a new maintenance contract
If components need repair, get them fixed promptly
Your provider will file the inspection report and new contract with the county

Most counties are reasonable if you're actively getting back into compliance. Proactive contact is always better than waiting for a violation notice.

Can You Maintain Your Own Aerobic System in Texas?

TCEQ allows homeowner self-maintenance starting two years after installation, but your county must approve it first.

TCEQ rules allow homeowners to perform their own aerobic system maintenance starting two years after installation. But there are restrictions.

Your county's designated representative (the local permitting authority) must approve homeowner self-maintenance. Many counties add requirements:

Completion of a training course on aerobic system maintenance
Submission of the same reports that a licensed provider would file
Passing an evaluation demonstrating competence

In practice, most Texas homeowners stick with a professional contract. The cost of $200 to $500 per year is modest compared to the risk of missing a problem that turns into a $5,000+ repair. And the reporting requirements for self-maintenance are identical to what a professional provider handles on your behalf.

How Much Does Aerobic System Maintenance Really Cost?

Budget $600 to $1,000 per year total for an aerobic system, including contract, electricity, chlorine, and occasional repairs.

Your maintenance contract covers inspections, but several costs sit outside the contract.

Expense	Typical Cost	Frequency
Chlorine tablets	$30 - $60 per supply	Every 2-4 months
Tank pumping	$250 - $400	Every 3-5 years
Aerator replacement	$500 - $1,200	Every 5-10 years
Spray head replacement	$50 - $150 each	As needed
Control panel repair	$200 - $500	As needed
Electricity (aerator)	$100 - $300 per year	Ongoing

Budget $600 to $1,000 per year total for all aerobic system costs including the contract, electricity, and chlorine. That's 4 to 13 times more than a conventional system's $75 to $150 per year.

The tradeoff: aerobic systems work on lots where conventional systems can't (tight lots, poor soil, high water tables). And according to the EPA, up to 10% of all septic systems fail each year, often due to poor maintenance. Keeping up with inspections is your best protection against a $10,000+ replacement bill.

What to Do Next

If you have an aerobic system, check three things today:

Is your maintenance contract current? If not, call a TCEQ-licensed provider this week.
When was your last inspection? If it's been more than 4 months, you're overdue.
Do you have copies of your inspection reports? If not, ask your provider for duplicates. You'll need them if you sell your home.

If you're buying a home with an aerobic system, ask the seller for maintenance records and verify the contract is transferable or plan to set up your own.

Find Septic Companies in Your Area

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an aerobic maintenance contract cost in Texas?

Most Texas aerobic maintenance contracts cost $200 to $500 per year, covering the three required inspections. Houston tends to be cheapest ($200 to $350) due to competition. Hill Country and rural areas run $300 to $500 because of travel distances. Some providers include chlorine tablets and minor repairs in the contract price.

Can I cancel my aerobic maintenance contract?

You can switch providers, but you can't go without a contract. TCEQ requires an active maintenance contract for the life of the system. If you cancel with one provider, you need to sign with another right away. A gap in coverage can trigger a violation from your county.

What happens during a 4-month aerobic inspection?

Your licensed provider checks the aerator, pump, alarms, chlorine levels, spray heads, sludge levels, and all electrical components. The visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. They mark your system's identification tag to record the visit and file a report with your county within 14 days. You should get a copy of the report.

Can I maintain my own aerobic system in Texas?

TCEQ allows homeowner self-maintenance starting two years after installation, but your county must approve it. Many counties require a training course and competency evaluation. You'd still need to file the same inspection reports that a professional provider submits. Most homeowners find it easier to keep a professional contract.

What's the penalty for not maintaining an aerobic system in Texas?

Penalties vary by county but can include fines up to $100 per day for ongoing violations. Beyond fines, a neglected system can fail, costing $8,000 to $15,000 to replace. It also creates problems when selling your home, since buyers require proof of a valid maintenance contract and clean inspection history.

How does aerobic system maintenance compare to conventional septic?

Aerobic systems cost $600 to $1,000 per year to maintain, compared to $75 to $150 per year for conventional systems. The difference comes from mandatory inspection contracts ($200 to $500/yr), electricity for the aerator ($100 to $300/yr), and chlorine tablets ($120 to $240/yr). Conventional systems only need pumping every 3-5 years with no required inspections.

Last updated: February 2026 Sources: TCEQ 30 TAC Chapter 285, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension OSSF program

Aerobic Septic Maintenance in Texas (2026 Guide)