Anyone looking to purchase a waterfront home on Lake Travis in a community that doesn't have a public sewer system will need to have the septic system by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).  The LCRA, a private entity, manages the Central Texas Highland Lakes.  Lake Travis is one of these lakes.  Even homes within a certain distance of Lake Travis, including those not on the water, will need to have an LCRA septic inspection.

The reason for this is to make sure septic systems are not leaking pollutants that can contaminate Lake Travis.  Depending on the size and age of the system as well as the last time it was inspected, the LCRA can require one of several kinds of inspections.  It the home changed ownership fairly recently, the LCRA may just do a walk-over. In this case, they will check the pump alarm and will also look for any visible leaks or ponding on the ground above the septic stem.  In other cases, they will want to have the top of the tank and the inlet and outlet from the tank uncovered so they can inspect for any leaks there.  After passing an inspection, the owner can apply for a transfer of ownership in order to get a new operating license for a buyer.  There is a bit more to it than this, but this is the basic information.

The words septic tank or septic system sometimes make people nervous.  This is especially true for people who have never owned a home with a septic system.  These are generally people who have owned homes in urban areas and have never been exposed to a septic system.  They generally don't understand these systems and that makes them nervous.  What these people need to understand is that many areas around Austin and Lake Travis developed without the benefit (or lack thereof) of any kind of master plan.  Even subdivisions with multi-million dollar waterfront homes like Costa Bella and Vineyard Bay have no public or private sewer systems.  Does this tell you anything?

Anyway, if you are a home buyer and are looking at a home on or close to Lake Travis, make sure your real estate agent checks with the LCRA for you.  All it takes is an address and a phone call.  I have always found people at the LCRA to be very helpful.  A reputable septic pumping company can also help with this.

Questions about Lake Travis property?  Call me at 512-293-2422.  Visit my Austin real estate website.