Maintenance Contracts
Ongoing maintenance contracts are required for all systems that use secondary treatment.
As the property owner or homeowner, it is your responsibility to have a valid maintenance contract in force at all times.
New aerobic systems come with a two (2) year manufacturer service contract included in the purchase price. At the end of two years you may renew with your current provider or seek another licensed maintenance provider.
Subsequent contracts must be renewed 30 days prior to expiration of the current contract. Failure to hold or renew your contract can result in legal action against the property owner as allowed by law. These are statutory fines that are mandated by state law. A copy of the current contract is required to be on file with the permitting authority.
Maintenance contracts must be provided by a licensed maintenance provider. In addition the maintenance provider must be state registered.
The Fort Bend County Local Order for On-Site Sewage Facilities prohibits property owners/homeowners from performing this task on their own property, unless the property owner/homeowner is a certified maintenance provider for that aerobic treatment unit and holds the required State licenses. Fort Bend County requires a property owner to contract with a certified maintenance provider to perform the required maintenance testing and reporting every 4 months.
The Maintenance Contract shall, at a minimum:
- List the items that are covered by the contract
- Specify the time frame in which the maintenance company will visit the property in response to a complaint by the property owner regarding the operation of the system
- Specify the name of the individual employed by the maintenance company who is certified by the manufacturer of the system
- Identify the frequency of routine maintenance and the frequency of the required testing and reporting
- Identify who is responsible for maintaining the disinfection unit
What’s not covered?
In all cases, read your contract thoroughly. Unless identified in your contract, the service provider is not responsible for:
- Pumping or cleaning tanks
- Maintaining the disinfection unit
- Replacing broken spray heads
- Damage from power failures
- Homeowner misuse
- Catastrophes beyond the control of the manufacturer