How do I file a
complaint against an installer?
Complaints against installers, whether they hold a license or
not, must be filed with the
local permitting authority. If the local authority does not
resolve the complaint in a timely fashion, notify the permitting
authority's supervising authority (county judge, county
commissioner, mayor, aldermen, boards, etc.). If the complaint is
still not resolved within a reasonable time, contact the
appropriate
TCEQ regional office.
If your complaint against the installer or designated
representative involves theft, fraud, deceit or any other criminal
activity, you will need to seek violations of the 
Texas Penal Code and obtain a court conviction
in order for the commission to revoke or suspend a license. You may
also need to pursue a civil suit (after the criminal suit) against
the installer in order to seek recovery of any lost funds.
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How do I file a
complaint against a designated representative?
Complaints against designated representatives need to be filed
with the
local permitting authority's supervising authority (county
judge, county commissioner, mayor, aldermen, boards, water program
manager, etc.). If the complaint is still not resolved within a
reasonable time, contact the appropriate
TCEQ regional office.
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How do I file a
complaint against a local permitting authority?
Complaints against authorized agents may be filed with the
TCEQ regional office nearest you, or with the OSSF program in
Austin at 512/239-0914.
If your complaint is against the TCEQ regional office, contact
the
TCEQ regional office director, or the water programs liaison in
the Field Operations Division at 512/239-6648.
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How do I file a
complaint against a property owner who is operating a
malfunctioning OSSF?
Complaints regarding malfunctioning OSSFs need to be filed with
the
local permitting authority. If the local permitting authority
is not resolving the complaint in a timely fashion, notify the
permitting authority's supervising authority (county judge, county
commissioner, mayor, aldermen, boards, water program manager,
etc.). If the complaint is still not resolved within a reasonable
time, contact the appropriate
TCEQ regional office.
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How will the complaint
be resolved?
The local permitting authority must investigate the complaint to
ensure it is valid.
When a complaint is found to be valid (based upon documented
evidence), the investigator may:
- attempt to get the situation resolved by allowing the
individual time to correct the alleged violation.
- file in a local Justice of the Peace Court, or
- refer the complaint to the TCEQ for administrative penalties
if:
- a violation has been determined to have occurred by the local
court, or
- the violation warrants revocation or suspension of a
license.
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How can a license be
suspended or revoked?
This will depend upon the severity and frequency of the
violation. Normally, when an individual is issued a second
administrative order, the commission will seek to suspend a
license. The commission will seek to revoke a license if the
licensee is to be suspended a second time or in cases where a
violation of the Texas Penal Code has occurred in the performance
of an installer's or designated representative's duties.
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What laws and rules
govern OSSF complaints?
The links provided below will take you off the TCEQ Web
server. These links are provided solely as a courtesy. Because the
TCEQ has no control over the posting of material to these sites,
the agency cannot take responsibility for their continued validity
and maintenance.
- Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 366
- Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 341
- Title 30, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285,
Subchapter G
- Texas Water Code, Chapter 26, Section 121
- Texas Water Code, Chapter 7, Sections
§§7.051, 7.101, 7.172, 7.173, 7.174, 7.175, 7.302,
7.303
Who can I call for more
information?
The
On-Site Sewage Facility Program Contacts can provide additional
information.
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