Ector County Health Department Water Quality Program

Ector County Health Department Water Quality Program ECHD Water Quality Program is responsible for processing and permitting septic systems for all Ector County.

Also investigating water borne illnesses and complaints relating to illegal septic system/ discharge and illegal food sales.

Mound Systemshttps://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systemsMound systems are an option in areas of shallow soil depth, ...
09/16/2022

Mound Systems
https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems

Mound systems are an option in areas of shallow soil depth, high groundwater, or shallow bedrock. The constructed sand mound contains a drainfield trench. Effluent from the septic tank flows to a pump chamber where it is pumped to the mound in prescribed doses. Treatment of the effluent occurs as it discharges to the trench and filters through the sand, and then disperses into the native soil.

While mound systems can be a good solution for certain soil conditions, they require a substantial amount of space and periodic maintenance.

Texas law (Texas Health and Safety Code 437.016) prohibits food sales from those who are not permitted from a restaurant...
09/09/2022

Texas law (Texas Health and Safety Code 437.016) prohibits food sales from those who are not permitted from a restaurant or mobile food establishment. On 9-8-2022, 25 dozen Tamales were seized from a street vendor's vehicle and the vendor was issued a citation. All food items that are seized by the ECHD are documented and properly disposed of to prevent any food borne illnesses.

Aerobic Treatment System https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systemsAerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) use many of the s...
09/09/2022

Aerobic Treatment System
https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems

Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) use many of the same processes as a municipal sewage plant, but on a smaller scale. An aerobic system injects oxygen into the treatment tank. The additional oxygen increases natural bacterial activity within the system that then provides additional treatment for nutrients in the effluent. Some aerobic systems may also have a pretreatment tank and a final treatment tank including disinfection to further reduce pathogen levels.

The benefits of this system are that it can be used in homes with smaller lots, inadequate soil conditions, in areas where the water table is too high, or for homes close to a surface water body sensitive to contamination by nutrients contained in wastewater effluent. Regular life-time maintenance should be expected for ATUs.

Drip Distribution SystemThe drip distribution system is a type of effluent dispersal that can be used in many types of d...
09/02/2022

Drip Distribution System
The drip distribution system is a type of effluent dispersal that can be used in many types of drainfields. The main advantage of the drip distribution system is that no large mound of soil is needed as the drip laterals are inserted into the top 6 to 12 inches of soil. The disadvantage of the drip distribution system is that it requires a large dose tank after the septic tank to accommodate the timed dose delivery of wastewater to the drip absorption area. Additional components, such as electrical power, are necessary for this system, requiring an added expense and increased maintenance.

https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems

Chamber Systemhttps://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systemsGravelless drainfields have been widely used for over 30 ye...
08/26/2022

Chamber System
https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems

Gravelless drainfields have been widely used for over 30 years in many states and have become a conventional technology replacing gravel systems. They take many forms, including open-bottom chambers, fabric-wrapped pipe, and synthetic materials such as expanded polystyrene media. The gravelless systems can be manufactured with recycled materials and offer a significant savings in carbon footprint.

An example of a gravelless system is the chamber system. The chamber system serves as an alternative design to the gravel/stone system. The primary advantage of the chamber system is increased ease of delivery and construction. They are also well suited to areas with high groundwater tables, where the volume of influent to the septic system is variable (e.g., at a vacation home or seasonal inn), in an area where gravel is scarce, or in areas where other technologies such as plastic chambers are readily available.

This type of system consists of a series of connected chambers. The area around and above the chambers is filled with soil. Pipes carry wastewater from the septic tank to the chambers. Inside the chambers, the wastewater comes into contact with the soil. Microbes on or near the soil treat the effluent.

This week we'll highlight Conventional Systems. https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systemsConventional SystemA dece...
08/19/2022

This week we'll highlight Conventional Systems.
https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems

Conventional System
A decentralized wastewater treatment system consisting of a septic tank and a trench or bed subsurface wastewater infiltration system (drainfield). A conventional septic system is typically installed at a single-family home or small business.

The gravel/stone drainfield is a design that has existed for decades. The name refers to the construction of the drainfield. With this design, effluent is piped from the septic tank to a shallow underground trench of stone or gravel. A geofabric or similar material is then placed on top of the trench so sand, dirt, and other contaminants do not enter the clean stone.

Effluent filters through the stone and is then further treated by microbes once it reaches the soil below the gravel/stone trench.

Gravel/stone systems are relatively large in overall footprint and may not be suitable for all residential sites or conditions.

Diagram of conventional septic system

Let's talk Septic: In the following weeks we'll be explaining 10 different types of Septic systems per EPA. https://www...
08/12/2022

Let's talk Septic:
In the following weeks we'll be explaining 10 different types of Septic systems per EPA.
https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems

What is a Septic System?
Septic system design and size can vary widely, from within your neighborhood to across the country, due to a combination of factors. These factors include household size, soil type, site slope, lot size, proximity to sensitive water bodies, weather conditions, or even local regulations.

Septic Tank
A buried, watertight tank designated and constructed to receive and partially treat raw domestic sanitary wastewater. Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank while greases and lighter solids float to the top. The solids stay in the tank while the wastewater is discharged to the drainfield for further treatment and dispersal.

02/05/2020

Due to the current weather forecast, the Ector County Health Department will be closed on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
We will reopen on Thursday, February 6, 2020.

05/17/2017

ECHD Water Quality Program is responsible for processing and permitting septic systems for all Ector County. Also investigating water borne illnesses and complaints relating to illegal septic system/ discharge and illegal food sales.

Address

221 N Texas Avenue
Odessa, TX
79761

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Friday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+14324984141

Website

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