PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PERMIT COORDINATION

Project Management Services

We offer comprehensive, project specific, project management services.

This includes:

  • Feasibility Studies (Site selection, go/no-go, etc.)
    Our experienced professionals provide comprehensive design and rehabilitation of a variety of water/wastewater projects including water distribution pipelines, water booster stations, and water storage tanks. Our Team has extensive experience in wastewater collection system flow monitoring, hydraulic modeling, sanitary sewer evaluation studies and assessments, design and rehabilitation of pipelines and manholes, lift stations, force mains, equalization basins, and wastewater storage tanks. In addition, our Team assists clients in the assessment, planning, and design and rehabilitation of water and wastewater treatment plants.
  • SEPTIC Inspection A septic system inspection is probably one of the more important things you can do before purchasing an existing property, with a “septic system” or “septic tank”. We have two former regulators on staff, who can spot issues with a thorough inspection. But why?
    Basically, you have no history of the system on the property. There are many types of systems, and while they all work well, they only work well if they have been properly cared for, used for the purpose for which they were designed, and were properly designed.

Visual Inspections are a “walk over”, and just see what is there. These reports are frequently issued by firms purporting to know all about systems, but in reality, they just go a things on top of the ground. They don’t really check to see if a system is actually functioning Got a report? What kind of report is it? Did they check the full operation of the say just “look at” the system?

What are the Professional Qualifications of your inspection company? Do they hold the highest professional license (Licensed Professional Engineer)? Do they hold the highe Installer’s License (Class 2)? Do they hold both of the highest type of licenses? If not, how can they possibly understand complex hydraulic and engineering principles that are utilize design such systems, without the technical training and design theory? Can they spot a potentially costly operational issue by just looking at the system, without such training o experience in installing, maintaining and trouble-shooting such systems? Do you allow you car mechanic to operate on you if you have a broken bone? (me, neither). It costs no more get the best person on the job. Facebook polls or opinion polls mean very little, when you’re faced with a $25,000 replacement repair bill on a system that had an “inspection” (with lot legal qualifications as to what their inspection means). Hire the most qualified person or company – it costs no more to do it thoroughly and correctly.

The State of Texas requirements for a Licensed Professional Engineer are here (5 year engineering degree, plus National Engineering Exam, plus a minimum of 8,000 hours of active practice, before license is granted) http://engineers.texas.gov/lic_basic.htm

The State of Texas definition of a Sanitarian is here: http://tdlr.texas.gov/san/sanfaq.htm

Systems that have been underutilized may have unforeseen problems. Many newer systems on small lots, have aerobic septic systems with drip irrigation. These systems work very well – but only if they have been properly maintained. It is important that the drip tubing be periodically flushed out. Unseen abuse (like running over with a vehicle) can damage subsurface tubing, causing it to eventually clog. The average repair cost of replacing a tubing system is about $4500.00, so it’s important to ensure it works – BEFORE YOU BUY the problem.

Our firm is an Engineering, Design,and Coordination firm, and we design any
type of system, from the most basic, to the most complex.

Remember, if you have a failed system, or one that is progressively failing (old, gravity flow systems with only one field generally do not last more than 25 years), you may be facing full replacement cost. Give yourself peace-of-mind by doing a full-blown inspection up front, whether you are buying, or selling. What you do now can save you tens-of-thousands of dollars later. Many homes built in the 1970’s and early 1980’s have systems that would not meet current design criteria, due to soils, disposal field sizes and types, and tank conditions. If you are buying or selling a home that has a septic system more than 20 years old, please be aware that a system replacement is coming at some point in the future. Did you know, that sewage combined with water vapor eats destroys concrete? So your concrete tank that is over 20 years old may have a structural problem and require replacement. So if you’re a buyer or seller, just know that your system has a finite life on some components. On the bright side, you aren’t paying $90 per month for a sewage bill, either.

WARNING! WARNING!

If you are buying a property that “used to be” something else, be very, very careful. The reason, is that any OSSF (aka “septic”) system that has a change in use, must be re-permitted. What does this mean? It means that if you are buying a property, or “converting” a property that used to be a residence, and you now want to use it for a business, the regulatory authority requires the system have a new permit, with new operating conditions calculated. This includes the amount of flow (how many gallons per day), as well as the sewage “strength”. This means something that served as a residence cannot automatically be converted to a small restaurant. Extensive, costly repairs or retrofits may be required. All restaurants require a grease trap, and these cannot be easily added to an existing system that was a residence. If someone tells you this isn’t true, take your business elsewhere. The State Law requires systems to be re-analyzed. If you have an aerobic system that you are converting, the State Law requires you hire only a Professional Engineer to do such work. So beware, and be careful in such endeavors!!!

Project Management Services

We offer comprehensive, project specific, project management services.

This includes:

  • Feasibility Studies (Site selection, go/no-go, etc.)
    Our experienced professionals provide comprehensive design and rehabilitation of a variety of water/wastewater projects including water distribution pipelines, water booster stations, and water storage tanks. Our Team has extensive experience in wastewater collection system flow monitoring, hydraulic modeling, sanitary sewer evaluation studies and assessments, design and rehabilitation of pipelines and manholes, lift stations, force mains, equalization basins, and wastewater storage tanks. In addition, our Team assists clients in the assessment, planning, and design and rehabilitation of water and wastewater treatment plants.
  • SEPTIC Inspection A septic system inspection is probably one of the more important things you can do before purchasing an existing property, with a “septic system” or “septic tank”. We have two former regulators on staff, who can spot issues with a thorough inspection. But why?
    Basically, you have no history of the system on the property. There are many types of systems, and while they all work well, they only work well if they have been properly cared for, used for the purpose for which they were designed, and were properly designed.

Visual Inspections are a “walk over”, and just see what is there. These reports are frequently issued by firms purporting to know all about systems, but in reality, they just go a things on top of the ground. They don’t really check to see if a system is actually functioning Got a report? What kind of report is it? Did they check the full operation of the say just “look at” the system?

What are the Professional Qualifications of your inspection company? Do they hold the highest professional license (Licensed Professional Engineer)? Do they hold the highe Installer’s License (Class 2)? Do they hold both of the highest type of licenses? If not, how can they possibly understand complex hydraulic and engineering principles that are utilize design such systems, without the technical training and design theory? Can they spot a potentially costly operational issue by just looking at the system, without such training o experience in installing, maintaining and trouble-shooting such systems? Do you allow you car mechanic to operate on you if you have a broken bone? (me, neither). It costs no more get the best person on the job. Facebook polls or opinion polls mean very little, when you’re faced with a $25,000 replacement repair bill on a system that had an “inspection” (with lot legal qualifications as to what their inspection means). Hire the most qualified person or company – it costs no more to do it thoroughly and correctly.

The State of Texas requirements for a Licensed Professional Engineer are here (5 year engineering degree, plus National Engineering Exam, plus a minimum of 8,000 hours of active practice, before license is granted) http://engineers.texas.gov/lic_basic.htm

The State of Texas definition of a Sanitarian is here: http://tdlr.texas.gov/san/sanfaq.htm

Systems that have been underutilized may have unforeseen problems. Many newer systems on small lots, have aerobic septic systems with drip irrigation. These systems work very well – but only if they have been properly maintained. It is important that the drip tubing be periodically flushed out. Unseen abuse (like running over with a vehicle) can damage subsurface tubing, causing it to eventually clog. The average repair cost of replacing a tubing system is about $4500.00, so it’s important to ensure it works – BEFORE YOU BUY the problem.

Our firm is an Engineering, Design,and Coordination firm, and we design any
type of system, from the most basic, to the most complex.

Remember, if you have a failed system, or one that is progressively failing (old, gravity flow systems with only one field generally do not last more than 25 years), you may be facing full replacement cost. Give yourself peace-of-mind by doing a full-blown inspection up front, whether you are buying, or selling. What you do now can save you tens-of-thousands of dollars later. Many homes built in the 1970’s and early 1980’s have systems that would not meet current design criteria, due to soils, disposal field sizes and types, and tank conditions. If you are buying or selling a home that has a septic system more than 20 years old, please be aware that a system replacement is coming at some point in the future. Did you know, that sewage combined with water vapor eats destroys concrete? So your concrete tank that is over 20 years old may have a structural problem and require replacement. So if you’re a buyer or seller, just know that your system has a finite life on some components. On the bright side, you aren’t paying $90 per month for a sewage bill, either.

WARNING! WARNING!

If you are buying a property that “used to be” something else, be very, very careful. The reason, is that any OSSF (aka “septic”) system that has a change in use, must be re-permitted. What does this mean? It means that if you are buying a property, or “converting” a property that used to be a residence, and you now want to use it for a business, the regulatory authority requires the system have a new permit, with new operating conditions calculated. This includes the amount of flow (how many gallons per day), as well as the sewage “strength”. This means something that served as a residence cannot automatically be converted to a small restaurant. Extensive, costly repairs or retrofits may be required. All restaurants require a grease trap, and these cannot be easily added to an existing system that was a residence. If someone tells you this isn’t true, take your business elsewhere. The State Law requires systems to be re-analyzed. If you have an aerobic system that you are converting, the State Law requires you hire only a Professional Engineer to do such work. So beware, and be careful in such endeavors!!!

Septic Permit Coordination

A permit and an approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an on-site sewage disposal facility.
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) or Commercial OSSF – Septic System Permit

  • We can do permits for you anywhere.
  • Need a commercial septic system permit? No problem.
  • We handle all of the wastewater design, engineering, soil testing, and application process.
  • We can design a facility plan, a facility use plan, and a total site plan for any project, large or small
  • This includes a commercial septic permit. This includes a hotel wastewater system, Retreat Center, Restaurant, Brewery, Winery, RV Park, School, office building, convenience store, and more. Any size, anywhere. Have a lake lot?

List of Items Needed for Site Development and OSSF (septic) permit:

  1. Survey of property by Registered Land Surveyor, showing lot lines, easements, and topographic info.
  2. Floor Plan of proposed structure, including occupancy & use (for homes, bedroom/baths, for commercial, use of facility, hours of operation, etc.)
  3. Directions to the property for soil profile analysis test holes.
  4. If Advanced Treatment System, copy of Affidavit to the Public (notarized), as well as Maintenance Agreement.
  5. Letter of Authorization to design system, and file for permit (or original application, signed).
  6. Source of potable water.
  7. Proof of property ownership (deed or tax statement).
  8. Site Plan (unless we are designing this for you, as part of OSSF plan).

ALL items are required to file permit paperwork. Missing items will delay the filing of the permit, as well as possibly causing other work, on other projects, to be undertaken while paperwork is gathered.

Want to learn more about our Project Management and Permit Coordination services?

Contact Us