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Questions or Comments: ossf@tceq.texas.gov

Filing a Complaint Related to an On-Site Sewage Facility

How to file a complaint related to an on-site sewage facility (septic system), how the complaint will be resolved, and what you can expect from the process.

Complaints against installers or maintenance providers, whether they hold a license or not, must be filed with the local permitting authority. If the local authority does not resolve the complaint in a timely fashion, notify the permitting authority's supervising authority (county judge, county commissioner, mayor, aldermen, boards, etc.). If the complaint is still not resolved within a reasonable time, contact the appropriate TCEQ regional office.

If your complaint against the installer or designated representative involves theft, fraud, deceit or any other criminal activity, you will need to seek violations of the Texas Penal Code and obtain a court conviction. You may also need to pursue a civil suit (after the criminal suit) against the installer in order to seek recovery of any lost funds. We recommend that you forward copies of any criminal conviction or civil suit to TCEQ for additional evaluation. Contact the OSSF program at (512) 239-3799 for details.

Complaints against designated representatives need to be filed with the local permitting authority's supervising authority (county judge, county commissioner, mayor, aldermen, boards, water program manager, etc.). If the complaint is still not resolved within a reasonable time, contact the appropriate TCEQ regional office.

Complaints against authorized agents may be filed with the TCEQ regional office for your county.

If your complaint is against a TCEQ regional office, contact its TCEQ regional office director, or the OSSF program in Austin at (512) 239-3799.

Complaints regarding malfunctioning OSSFs need to be filed with the local permitting authority. If the local permitting authority is not resolving the complaint in a timely fashion, notify the permitting authority's supervising authority (county judge, county commissioner, mayor, aldermen, boards, water program manager, etc.). If the complaint is still not resolved within a reasonable time, contact the appropriate TCEQ regional office.

The local permitting authority must investigate the complaint to ensure it is valid.

When a complaint is found to be valid (based upon documented evidence), the investigator may:

  • attempt to get the situation resolved by allowing the individual time to correct the alleged violation.
  • file in a local Justice of the Peace Court, municipal court, or a higher court as deemed appropriate.

The links provided below will take you off the TCEQ Web server. These links are provided solely as a courtesy. Because TCEQ has no control over the posting of material to these sites, the agency cannot take responsibility for their continued validity and maintenance.

The On-Site Sewage Facility Program Contacts can provide additional information.