What is a septic site evaluation in Texas?
TexasReviewed October 2026
A site evaluation is a pre-construction check of whether your land can treat wastewater, and Texas requires one on every tract where a system will be installed. It must be done by a licensed site evaluator or a professional engineer. At minimum, two soil borings or backhoe pits are dug at opposite ends of the proposed disposal area, to 2 feet below the planned excavation or to a restrictive layer. The evaluator records soil texture, gravel, restrictive horizons such as rock or dense clay, groundwater, slope and drainage, the 100-year floodplain, and distances to wells and water. The results go into the planning materials submitted with the permit application.
Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.