SAN MARCOS – Homeowners interested in learning about the maintenance of their home septic system are invited to attend a free Texas AgriLife Extension Service workshop from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 23.

The “Homeowner Maintenance of Septic Systems Workshop” will be held at the AgriLife Extension office for Hays County, 1253 Civic Center Loop in San Marcos.

“The workshop will be of interest to homeowners who want to learn more about the operation and maintenance of their on-site septic systems,” said Bruce Lesikar, AgriLife Extension water and wastewater resource specialist in biological and agricultural engineering. “It is important for homeowners to properly maintain and operate these systems to help protect water quality.”

The purpose of the course is to present information on the function, operation and maintenance of on-site septic systems, and to provide hands-on demonstration of evaluation techniques to determine operational status of the treatment system, Lesikar said.

Workshop topics will include the importance of maintaining the treatment system, septic/trash tank operation, how home activities affect the treatment system, tips for maintaining a septic tank and aerobic treatment unit, how the soil-treatment unit works, wastewater treatment and water resource protection.

“The workshop is free thanks to funding provided by the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership and Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,” said Nikki Dictson, AgriLife Extension water quality program specialist.

Class attendance is limited, so attendees are required to pre-register to ensure adequate space.

To receive a registration form and for more information, contact Susan Levien at 979-845-7451 or s-levien@tamu.edu. To download a registration form, go to http://pcwp.tamu.edu/PChomeowner-workshop.html.