Version: 8/5/2016 Page 7
Wastewater and Septic/On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Guidance Info – Items 16-17.
16. If an on-site sewage facility (OSSF) is required to be installed or upgraded, a Permit to Construct
an OSSF is required to be issued prior to issuance of a County development permit. An exception
may be made if the permit applicant agrees in writing to take full responsibility for the OSSF
placement. In no case will a County development permit be issued prior to the receipt of a
completed OSSF application. Please contact the Travis County TNR Permit office at 512-854-4215
for info. Also, projects located in the areas described below must obtain OSSF approval from the
other jurisdictions listed instead of Travis County:
OSSF projects within Travis County and within 2,000 feet of Lake Travis (2000 feet from the
691’ contour) are subject to the Lower Colorado River Authority's (LCRA) review instead of
Travis County- Please contact the LCRA OSSF Program, at 512-473-3216.
OSSF projects within any City of Austin’s Limited Purpose City Limits areas (within their ETJ)
are subject to Austin’s OSSF review. If your project is in this area, contact Austin Water Utility’s
Utility Development Services Section at 512-972-0296 or e-mail at ossf@austintexas.gov for
more information.
For projects with OSSFs in LCRA or the City of Austin’s jurisdiction, proof of application to the
appropriate jurisdiction is required prior to the issuance of a County Development Permit.
17. If the project generates more than 5,000 gpd of waste water it is too large to qualify for an OSSF
permit and is subject to TCEQ's Design Criteria for Sewerage Systems, Title 30 TAC Chapter
217. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to design/obtain permits for wastewater treatment
facilities or obtain wastewater utility service for any project requiring a development permit from
Travis County. Commercial and Residential developments over 20 acres outside ETJs must provide
a signed letter of intent for wastewater utility service prior to final approval of a Travis County
Development Permit. Contact TCEQ Wastewater Permits Section for further information at 512-
239-4671.
Water Well and Water Supply Guidance Information – Items 18-19.
18. All water wells must be completed by a state-licensed drilling contractor (state water well drilling
license). Also, if you are located within the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
(BSEACD) in southern Travis County, you must receive approval from the District prior to drilling
and utilizing water wells or public water supplies. Please contact BSEACD, at 512-282-8441.
19. Projects providing public water supply of 15 connections or more, or to 25 people or more for 60
days/year, are required to comply with Title 30 TAC, Chapter 290, requirements for Public Water
Supply. Contact the TCEQ Utility and District Section for Public Water Supply requirements, at
512-239-6947. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to obtain adequate drinking water supply for
any project requiring a development permit from Travis County. Commercial developments and
residential developments over 20 acres outside ETJs must provide a signed letter of intent for water
utility service, and any proposed groundwater supplies must prove adequate capacity according to
TCEQ Title 30 TAC, Chapter 230.
Quarry and Pit Safety Act Guidance Information, Item 20.
20. If the site or land parcel includes a new or active (or inactive since 1991), open pit or quarry which
is 5 feet or deeper and within 200 feet of the edge of a public road, compliance with the Texas
Quarry and Pit Safety Act TAC 16, Part 1, Chapter 11, SB. E is required. If so, a Safety
Certificate approved by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) a minimum of sixty days
before the use of the pit is required before final issuance of a County Development Permit. Please