A septic tank is a large container, usually buried near your home.  It receives all the wastewater you produce. Heavier solids settle to the bottom, while grease and lighter solids float to the top.

Healthy bacteria break down these materials and allow effluent water to leave the tank and get dispersed through the leach field.  If your water has sludge present, the system is in a shutdown or failure mode.

Septic systems (“OSSF” or On-Site Sewage Facilities) in Texas are licensed and regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).