Septic Design and Engineer Referral

Who Does What

Texas requires every new or replacement septic system to start with a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator and a design by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer. The county then reviews that design before anything is installed. A clear division of work keeps the project moving:

• The Engineer. Evaluates the property, designs and sizes the system for your home and lot, and prepares the plans for the county.
• The County. Reviews the design, issues the permit and inspects the installation.
• Peter Varhol Construction. Prices the job from the design, installs the system under our TCEQ installer license OS0031132, meets the county inspector and finishes the site.

We stay involved from the start. If you call us first, we will introduce you to the engineer, help answer questions along the way and be ready to install as soon as the permit is issued.

What the Site Evaluation Looks at

The evaluation tells the engineer what kind of system your property can support. It typically covers soil test holes in the proposed disposal area, the depth of usable soil above rock, slope and drainage, and the required setbacks from the house, property lines, wells and water. Around Canyon Lake, limestone is often only a few inches below the surface, which has a major influence on the design.

If you are buying land, an evaluation before closing is a sound investment. It shows what kind of system the lot will need and gives you a realistic basis for budgeting.

How the Design Is Sized

The engineer sizes the system based on the number of bedrooms, the living area and the expected water use, following Texas rules for on-site sewage facilities. The design specifies the type of treatment, the tank sizes and locations, and the layout of the disposal field. Once it is approved, we build exactly what is on the plans.

Why the Referral Helps

• A Trusted Working Relationship. We have a great relationship with this engineer, so the plans and the installation line up with fewer surprises.
• Designs That Account for Real Conditions. Rock, slope and access are discussed early, which helps keep pricing realistic.
• One Contact for Questions. You can call us at any point, and we will help coordinate with the engineer.
• Already Have a Design? We are glad to price and install from an approved design you already have.

Typical Outcomes Around Canyon Lake

Most lots around Canyon Lake have thin soil over limestone, and many sit on slopes or near the water. Under those conditions, designs usually call for an aerobic septic system with treated water dispersed through drip irrigation or spray heads. Where the soil is deeper, a conventional system may be possible. Our Comal County permit guide and cost guide explain the rest of the process.