RULES · PLAIN ENGLISH · WITH CITATIONS
The rules, written out, with the citation beside every claim.
One page per question a maintenance provider actually asks, for Texas under 30 TAC Chapter 285 and North Carolina under 15A NCAC 18E. Each carries the rule it comes from, the date it was last checked, and links to the regulation itself so you can read the original rather than trust us. Not legal advice.
25 rule explainers
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Texas · 30 TAC Chapter 285
Texas at a glance
| Topic | What the rule says | Citation | Explained on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing | At least once every four months; two a year with qualifying electronic monitoring (§285.7(e)(3)) | 30 TAC §285.91(4), Table IV | Testing rules |
| Report deadline | To the permitting authority and the owner within 14 days of the test | 30 TAC §285.7(e)(1)(B) | Report deadline rules |
| Who signs the report | The licensed maintenance provider | 30 TAC §285.7(b)(3) | Who signs the report rules |
| New systems | An initial two-year service policy from the date the system is first used | 30 TAC §285.7(c) | New systems rules |
| Contract contents | Six required provisions, including items covered and the responsible provider | 30 TAC §285.7(d)(1) | Contract contents rules |
| Renewal | The owner gets the signed contract to the permitting authority at least 30 days before the old one expires | 30 TAC §285.7(d)(2) | Renewal rules |
| Ending service | Written notice at least 30 days before service stops, to the permitting authority and the manufacturer, and to the owner when the provider ends it | 30 TAC §285.7(d)(3) | Ending service rules |
| Owner self-maintenance | Single-family owners only, and only after the initial two-year policy | 30 TAC §285.7(d)(4) | Owner self-maintenance rules |
| Home sale | After the two-year policy, the buyer gets a contract within 30 days of the transfer or maintains a single-family system personally | 30 TAC §285.3(b)(3) | Home sale rules |
| Emergency repairs | Written notice to the permitting authority within 72 hours after starting work | 30 TAC §285.35(c) | Emergency repairs rules |
| Pumping | On a regular basis, by a TCEQ-registered transporter; no set interval | 30 TAC §285.39(b) | Pumping rules |
| Missed reports | A stated ground to suspend or revoke the provider’s license | 30 TAC §285.65 | Missed reports rules |
Summarizes public rules as of the dates on each page; not legal advice; verify with your permitting authority. Every page on the topic:
Buying or Selling a Home with an Aerobic System in Texas When a Texas home with an aerobic system sells, the permit moves to the buyer, who has 30 days to sign a maintenance contract after the two-year policy. Last verified Oct 14, 2026 Can Homeowners Maintain Their Own Aerobic System in Texas? Texas single-family owners may self-maintain an aerobic system after the two-year policy (30 TAC §285.7(d)(4)), subject to local rules. Provider steps. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 Emergency Repairs on a Texas OSSF: The 72-Hour Notice Texas lets an emergency repair start before any permit, then requires written notice to the permitting authority within 72 hours (30 TAC §285.35). Last verified Oct 14, 2026 How Often Must a Texas Aerobic System Be Pumped? Texas sets no pumping interval: 30 TAC §285.39(b) says pump on a regular basis to stop sludge spilling over, using a TCEQ-registered transporter. Last verified Oct 14, 2026 How Often Must an Aerobic System Be Inspected in Texas? Texas aerobic systems must be tested at least once every four months (30 TAC §285.91(4), Table IV); two per year with qualifying electronic monitoring. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 How to Become an Aerobic Maintenance Provider in Texas The TCEQ path to a Texas OSSF maintenance provider license: one of three prerequisites, two courses, an exam, a $111 fee, renewal every three years. Last verified Oct 14, 2026 Maintenance Provider vs Technician in Texas: Who Does What Texas maintenance provider license vs technician registration: who performs, who signs, supervision rules (30 TAC §285.64), three-year renewal and CE. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 New Aerobic System in Texas: The First Two Years The initial two-year service policy for a new Texas aerobic system (30 TAC §285.7(c)): start date, who files it, first four-month visit, provider duties. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 Texas Aerobic Maintenance Contract Requirements The six provisions a Texas aerobic maintenance contract must contain under 30 TAC §285.7(d), plus 30-day submittal and notice rules and the deed affidavit. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 Texas Aerobic System Chlorine and Disinfection Requirements Texas spray aerobic systems must disinfect effluent (30 TAC §285.33(d)(2)(D)) and meet 0.1 mg/l chlorine residual or 200 MPN fecal coliform (Table IV). Last verified Oct 5, 2026 What Happens If an Aerobic Report Is Late in Texas? Late or missed Texas aerobic reports: what 30 TAC §285.65 and §285.71 say about suspension, revocation and enforcement, and documenting a resubmission. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 What Must a Texas Aerobic Maintenance Report Include? What a Texas aerobic maintenance report must include: Figure 3 inspection items, Table IV test results, complaint responses, and the provider's signature. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 When Is the Texas Aerobic Maintenance Report Due? Texas aerobic maintenance reports are due within 14 days after the test, to the permitting authority and the owner (30 TAC §285.7(e)). Deadlines explained. Last verified Oct 5, 2026 Where Do Texas Providers File Aerobic Maintenance Reports? Texas aerobic reports go to the permitting authority (county, city, river authority or TCEQ region) and the owner within 14 days. Filing channels vary. Last verified Oct 5, 2026
North Carolina · 15A NCAC 18E
North Carolina at a glance
| Topic | What the rule says | Citation | Explained on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who operates | A Management Entity under contract for as long as the system is in use, for every Type IV, V and VI system | 15A NCAC 18E .1303 | Who operates rules |
| Operator certification | The Management Entity is or employs a certified subsurface operator | 15A NCAC 18E .1304(a) | Operator certification rules |
| Inspection frequency | LPP (Type IVa) twice a year from the start. Advanced pretreatment Type Va and Vc, and anaerobic drip Type Vd, at or under 1,500 gpd: quarterly in the first year, then twice a year once the system complies with its Operation Permit; over 1,500 and up to 3,000 gpd, four times a year | 15A NCAC 18E .1301, Table XXXII | Inspection frequency rules |
| Report deadline | To the owner, the local health department and the manufacturer within 30 days of the inspection | 15A NCAC 18E .1304(c) | Report deadline rules |
| Repairs needed | Notify the local health department within 48 hours | 15A NCAC 18E .1304(d) | Repairs needed rules |
| Non-renewal | Notify the local health department and, as applicable, the manufacturer | 15A NCAC 18E .1304(f) | Non-renewal rules |
| Sampling | An NSF/ANSI 40 RWTS is sampled annually; other approvals by their own schedule | 15A NCAC 18E .1504, .1709 | Sampling rules |
| Pumping | When scum and sludge exceed one-third of the liquid depth in any compartment | 15A NCAC 18E .1303(a)(3) | Pumping rules |
| Operation Permit | Issued by the local health department before the system is used; sets the conditions the operator works to | 15A NCAC 18E .0205 | Operation Permit rules |
Summarizes public rules as of the dates on each page; not legal advice; verify with your permitting authority. Every page on the topic:
Does an NC Aerobic System Need a Maintenance Contract? Yes. NC Type IV, V, and VI systems need an O&M contract with a Management Entity before the OP, kept as long as the system is in use (18E .1303). Last verified Oct 8, 2026 How Often Are NC Septic Systems Inspected? (Table XXXII) NC Table XXXII sets inspection frequency by system type: LPP 2/year, most residential Type V 2/year after a quarterly first year (15A NCAC 18E .1301). Last verified Oct 8, 2026 How Often Must NC Aerobic Systems Be Sampled? NC advanced pretreatment sampling under 15A NCAC 18E .1504, .1709, and .1302: what is sampled, how often, who reports, and the 30-day resample rule. Last verified Oct 8, 2026 LPP vs Advanced Pretreatment: NC Operator Rules Compared NC rules for LPP (Type IVa) vs advanced pretreatment (Type V/VI): Table XXXII inspections, certified operators, sampling, and manufacturer roles. Last verified Oct 8, 2026 What Changed in NC Septic Rules in 2024 and 2026? 15A NCAC 18E replaced 18A .1900 on Jan 1, 2024 and was amended June 1, 2026. What changed for operators, plus an old-to-new citation map. Last verified Oct 8, 2026 What Conditions Does an NC Septic Operation Permit Set? The NC Operation Permit (15A NCAC 18E .0205): when it is issued, 5-year expiration for Type V and VI, conditions that bind the Management Entity, reissue. Last verified Oct 8, 2026 What Happens When an NC Operator Contract Ends? NC Management Entities must notify the LHD and, as applicable, the manufacturer when an O&M contract is not renewed (15A NCAC 18E .1304(f)). Last verified Oct 8, 2026 What Must an NC Operator Do When Repairs Are Needed? NC Management Entities must notify the LHD within 48 hours when an inspection shows repairs are needed (15A NCAC 18E .1304(d)). Related deadlines covered. Last verified Oct 8, 2026 When Is the NC Operator Inspection Report Due? NC Management Entities must send each inspection report to the owner, LHD, and manufacturer within 30 days of the inspection (15A NCAC 18E .1304(c)). Last verified Oct 8, 2026 When Must an NC Septic Tank Be Pumped? The One-Third Rule NC sets no pumping interval: 15A NCAC 18E .1303(a)(3) requires pumping when scum and sludge exceed one-third of the liquid depth in any compartment. Last verified Oct 14, 2026 Who Needs NC Subsurface Operator Certification? NC Management Entities must be or employ a certified subsurface operator (15A NCAC 18E .1304(a)). School, $101 exam, $53 renewal, 6 CE hours. Last verified Oct 8, 2026
Each state's rules are statewide. How you file them is not — every Texas county takes the report its own way, and in North Carolina every local health department does.