Health District Proposes Policy Changes
for On-Site Sewage Facilities

July 22, 2004

La Marque - The Galveston County United Board of Health will be conducting a public hearing to gather input from the community on proposed changes to the local regulations governing On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF). Citizens can voice comments at the meeting which will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday July 28th. The hearing will take place in the Galveston County Health District Board Room located at 1207 Oak Street in La Marque.

Changes to the local ordinances have become necessary to reflect changes already made by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The current regulations do not adequately reflect the TCEQ regulations.

Changes proposed by the Health District will mirror the TCEQ regulations with three exceptions that will be more stringent than state regulations. Those three exceptions are:

• All OSSF's regardless of property size must be permitted
• Only registered installers may install an OSSF, homeowner installations will not be allowed under the proposed changes
• All occupied structures must be connected to an OSSF or other approved wastewater disposal system

The proposed changes if adopted by the United Board of Health would have an impact on fees as well. Generally fees would be the same as those set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality with the exception of a one time $50 administrative fee for those systems that require ongoing maintenance contracts. An additional fee being proposed is $100 for a "Development Plan" review that would be charged when District staff review subdivision plans prior to permits being issued for a new development.

United Board of Health bylaws require that a public hearing be held before any changes are adopted. "Any time local policy changes are made, we seek community input to insure that the best possible decisions can be made," says John Zendt, Chair of the United Board of Health.

For more information the public can call the Health District's Office of Environmental Health Programs at (409) 938-2458. More information can also be found on the District's web site at www.gchd.org.