EM-125 Is Your Septic System Failing?

On-Site Septic Facilities, also known as septic systems, are systems designed to treat and dispose of wastewater effluent on the same property that produces the wastewater, hence the term “on-site.” When septic systems begin to fail, not only do they not function properly, but they can damage your property and are costly to replace. The key is to catch the warning signs early on.Funding provided in part by a Texas Coastal Management Program Grant by the Texas Land Commissioner pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA17NOS4190139 and through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EM-124 Maintenance Tips for a Longer Lasting Septic System

Regular maintenance and upkeep of your septic system is crucial to ensure its proper function and longevity. Not maintaining your septic system can result in economic and ecological harm to your local environment and property. This document includes standard maintenance practices that will help keep your system healthy.Funding provided in part by a Texas Coastal Management Program Grant by the Texas Land Commissioner pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA17NOS4190139 and through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EM-125 Is Your Septic System Failing?

On-Site Septic Facilities, also known as septic systems, are systems designed to treat and dispose of wastewater effluent on the same property that produces the wastewater, hence the term “on-site.” When septic systems begin to fail, not only do they not function properly, but they can damage your property and are costly to replace. The key is to catch the warning signs early on.Funding provided in part by a Texas Coastal Management Program Grant by the Texas Land Commissioner pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA17NOS4190139 and through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EM-126 Septic System Maintenance & Inspection Pocket Guide

A pocket guide with septic system best practices with maintenance and inspection recommendations, tips for a longer-lasting septic system, resources and more

EM-126 Septic System Maintenance & Inspection Pocket Guide

A pocket guide with septic system best practices with maintenance and inspection recommendations, tips for a longer-lasting septic system, resources and more

Impacts of vegetation and topsoil removal on soil erosion, soil moisture, and infiltration

Abstract Soil erosion by water is a critical environmental problem that affects a large land area globally and is expected to increase substantially as a result of climate change‐induced rainfall intensification. This study sought to determine the impacts of soil mechanical disturbance and topsoil removal on soil erosion and deposition, soil moisture, soil water infiltration, and vegetation type in a central Texas subtropical grassland setting. The removal of topsoil increased soil erosion and caused changes in soil texture, soil moisture, infiltration rate, and the vegetation community within the disturbed area. Soil texture shifted from clay to sand dominated as sand particles were eroded from an upland area. This shift in soil texture led to decreased volumetric soil moisture (−14.6%) as compared to an adjacent undisturbed location. The removal of topsoil also led to an invasion of non‐native grasses that now dominate the vegetated portions of the disturbed area. Erosion and deposition measurements indicated an uneven gain and loss of soil across the disturbed area, but on average 0.85 cm of sand was deposited during the 1‐month study period. Our results show that high levels of erosion are occurring and degrading the immediate landscape, which is likely contributing a large amount of sediment to a nearby waterway, posing a potential water quality threat to an important surface water body