Site evaluation.
El Paso City Code § 18.21.220
in effect18.21.220 - Site evaluation.
The effluent discharge from a septic tank or aerobic plant requires further handling to render it safe from a public health standpoint. A well-designed subsurface soil absorption system will allow these liquids to seep into the ground without creating a health hazard or nuisance. After the prospective builder has selected a suitable area and is assured that safe distances from wells, lakes, etc. can be maintained, the builder must determine, with the assistance of an experienced soils scientist, registered professional engineer or registered professional sanitarian whether soil formations in the selected area will allow a soil absorption system to work. When conventional soil absorption systems are used, there shall be no interference from groundwater. The groundwater table must be situated at least four feet below the bottom of the soil absorption system. The design standards for conventional soil absorption systems set forth in this chapter are based on the premise that impervious strata are at depths greater than four feet below the bottom of the absorption trench. Conventional soil absorption systems shall not be used if either impervious strata or groundwater exists at depths less than four feet from the trench or bed bottom, unless a detailed site evaluation is made and a design by a registered professional engineer or registered professional sanitarian is accepted by the licensing authority.
(Ord. 9448 (part), 1988)
Source: City of El Paso, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/el_paso/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT18BUCO_CH18.21PRSEFA_ARTVIDESTEFDISY_18.21.220SIEVFetched: 10/28/2026