Texas Septic Systems
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Before undertaking any on-demand effort, you should review the rules of your licensing/certifying entity. It’s your responsibility to determine whether or not this on-demand course meets your continuing education requirements.
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Streamable MP4/PDF
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USB MP4/PDF
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Agenda
Webinar instructions will be emailed before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before start time.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
8:30 am – 4:00 pm CST (incl. a 60-min break)
Presented by
Frank Aguirre
Agenda
The Evolution of the OSSF (On-Site Sewage Facility) Program in Texas,
from Primordial Soup to an 800 Pound Gorilla
How and why the program began
Its history as a dysfunctional, unwanted child
The current TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) structure
of OSSF rules and enforcement; Relationship between TCEQ and county rules
Who’s really in charge and why
The distinction between prescriptive and performance regulations
The (under-estimated) role that the septic system plays in property purchase
and development/site planning
Should TCEQ regulations be adhered to?
How the Size, Type and Cost of the Septic System is Determined
TCEQ setback requirements as limiting factors (Will the water level in the well rise
a couple of inches every time the owner flushes the commode?)
What is a ”site evaluator,” compared to a “designer,”
and what is his role in planning of a septic system?
How are septic systems SIZED in Texas?
The water quality treatment line: from nuclear wastes to perfectly pure water (no such thing)
Residential – the variance quality and maintenance levels
from which a homeowner can choose
Types of Septic Systems Approved in Texas and Used, Especially in the
South-Central Part of the Great Republic
Basic components of sewage – hydraulic and organic loadings
Universal components of any septic system –
from raw sewage to environmentally helpful moisture
Passive vs. active, primary treatment vs. secondary systems
Standard systems – gravel, leaching chambers and gravel-less
Aerobic treatment units – general structure, how they work,
their advantages and disadvantages
Spray application described; advantages and disadvantages
Drip irrigation described; advantages and disadvantages
New gray water rules and how to apply them
Nutrient reductions
Commercial – the Shocking Cost, Footprint and
Long Term Maintenance Requirements
The technical differences between residential and commercial septic systems
The two key factors in any commercial septic system that someone must specify
and through which they will assume the liability for its proper functioning
A step-by-step, unpublished method of ENSURING that the
final system will work properly
Metrics of a finely designed system and the chemical, physical
and hydraulic measurements that must be recorded
Monitoring, inspections and repairs
Webinar Instructions
Each webinar session earns continuing education credit and can be registered for individually. All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited.
Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher.
Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email.
GoToWebinar App requirements:
Windows 7 – 10 or Mac OSX Mavericks (10.9) – macOS Catalina (10.15)
Web Browser:
The two most recent version of the following browsers:
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge
Internet Explorer v11 (or later) with Flash enabled
Internet connection: Minimum of 1Mbps Hardware: 2GB RAM or more
For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com
Credits
Professional Engineers:
6.0 PDHs
Architects:
6.0 HSW CEPHs
AIA: (AIA credits only available for attending live Webinar)
6.0 LU|HSW
Certified Planners:
CM | 6.0
Continued Education Credit Information
Texas Septic Systems
This webinar is open to the public and offers 6.0 PDHs to professional engineers and 6.0 HSW CEPHs to architects licensed in Texas. Educators and courses are not subject to pre-approval in Texas.
Engineers and architects seeking continuing education credit in other states will be able to claim the hours earned at this webinar, in most cases. Refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.
The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 LU|HSW (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the
AIA/CES.
HalfMoon Education is an approved CM Provider with the American Planning Association. This course is registered for CM | 6.0 for Certified Planners.
Completion certificates will be awarded to participants who complete this event, respond to prompts, and earn a passing score (80%) on the quiz that follows the presentation (multiple attempts allowed).
Speakers
Frank Aguirre
President of Frank Aguirre & Associates, Inc. San Antonio
Mr. Aguirre, owner of Septic Systems Express, Septic System Designs Of Texas and Texas Septic Systems Council, has been designing and inspecting septic systems since 1975. During that time, he has served on the board of directors for the National On-site Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA), and he has served as president of the Texas On-site Wastewater Association. Mr. Aguirre founded the Alamo On-site Wastewater Association and the Alamo Water & Wastewater Analysts Association. He has designed over 30,000 septic systems and is the only person in the country that has organized and sponsored a national conference specifically on how to design a septic system for a restaurant (high strength wastewater). He has been a licensed sanitarian since 1968. Mr. Aguirre received his bachelor’s degree in Biology and his master’s degree in Educational Psychology. Septic Systems Express designs and inspects septic systems throughout south-central Texas. He is a professional speaker and lives, part-time, in Manhattan.
AIA Info
AIA Provider Statement:
HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA/CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
Course Title: Texas Septic Systems
Delivery Method: Live Online
Course Description: This course examines the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulation of on-site sewage facilities, how septic systems are sized, types of systems, costs of systems, and the differences between residential and commercial septic systems.
Learning Objectives:
Learning Objective 1:
Learners will be able to reference septic systems regulations of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and be able to distinguish prescriptive and performance regulations.
Learning Objective 2:
Learners will be able to explain how septic systems are sized in Texas to adequately perform for the structure and occupancy loads they serve.
Learning Objective 3:
Learners will be able to describe the role of s septic system evaluator compared to that of a system designer when planning for a septic system installation.
Learning Objective 4:
Learners will be able to differentiate standard systems and aerobic treatment units and explain how they are constructed, how they work, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Learning Objective 5:
Learners will be able to explain the technical differences between residential septic systems and commercial septic systems, and they will be able to discuss why the chemical, physical and hydraulic measurements of commercial systems must be monitored and recorded.
LUs: 6.0 LU Type: LU|HSWs.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with septic systems
Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Course Expiration Date: 06/16/2023
Complaint Resolution Policy:
Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to tcase@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.