An Inspector’s Primer Larry Johnson Harris County Larry Johnson Harris County

Topics to be discussed today Preparing Before the Inspection During the Inspection Follow-Up After the Inspection Focusing on field inspections for systems trying to get an Authorization to Operate

Preparing for an Inspection - Spray System Gather Documentation: –Design Summary –Flow Diagram –Approved Plans, including site layout –Maintenance Contract –Electronic Monitoring Registration Sheet (if applicable)

Preparing for an Inspection - Drip System Gather Documentation: Requires everything you need for a spray inspection PLUS: –Soils Evaluation –Effluent Loading Evaluation

Preparing for an Inspection- Systems Located within 100-Year Floodplain Additional Documentation Required: –Elevation Certificate –Floodplain Maps –Buoyancy Calculations

Preparing for an Inspection- For Sites with Water Wells Additional Documentation that may be Required: –Water Well Log (if applicable) –Well Plugging Report (if applicable)

Gather Inspection Tools You’ll need: Level Wheel Tape Probe Personal Protective Equipment (safety vest, safety hat, safety glasses)

Preparing for an Inspection- Basics HCAD (Tax) Map Key Map Location Set Up Appointment Time with Installer Now you’re ready to go!

During the Inspection Verify the Plans with the Site Conditions Meet with the Installer to get necessary documents from them –As-Built (if necessary) –Any forms missing from pre- inspection research

The Inspection Begin at the structure –Verify two-way cleanout –Verify piping material acceptable Continue through system –Verify 1/8 inch fall in pipe from structure to tank

The Inspection At the Tanks –Verify inlet and outlet tee’s in trash tank –Are all tanks & chlorinator on Harris County (or your entity’s) approved tank list? –Verify tanks are level –Are the air compressor & diffusers working properly? –Check alarm floats and pump floats

Flow Diagram Example NTS

The Inspection The Disposal Field- Spray –Check sprayhead radius –Check set-backs –Grading & Vegetation The Disposal Field- Drip –Depth of drip lines –Number of lines & length of each –Check set-backs

The Inspection Fill out inspection sheet Have installer sign with OSSF installer license number If it passed, you’re done. If not, please proceed to following slides.

The Follow-Up Only reinspect areas that failed. Corrections required are called out in paperwork from initial inspection. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again. But in Harris County, after your second inspection, you will pay for all additional inspections until you pass. We will charge you what it costs us to reinspect.

Questions?