FAQs

What kind of information needs to be considered in planning a new residential subdivision that will use septic systems for sewage disposal?: Site conditions that affect the operation of individual sewage disposal systems include the types of soils that are present, depth to the groundwater table, depth to bedrock and the presence of surface water such as lakes or irrigation ditches. With a thorough knowledge of site conditions, subdivisions can be designed to take advantage of the best soils for treating sewage while avoiding problem conditions such as high groundwater or irrigation ditches. Some of the options used in the subdivision design process include clustering, variations in lot size, and creation of open space in areas not suitable for septic systems.

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On-Site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS)

1. What do I do if I need a septic system?: Contact the Environmental Health Office at 970-641-5105 for an On-Site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Permit Application. Once the application is completed and submitted, we will do an inspection of your site to insure the system can be constructed in compliance with Colorado and county regulations and that soil and ground water conditions are satisfactory for a septic system. Once your septic system has been constructed by a licensed septic system contractor, we will perform an inspection to insure that the contractor constructed the system to meet current regulations.

2. What do I do if my septic system is failing?: If your septic system is failing, contact the Environmental Health Office at 970-641-5105. We will meet with you onsite to on assess the possible causes for failure and advise you on how the system can be repaired and brought into compliance with Colorado and County current regulations. We can also provide you with the list of licensed septic system contractors. Then, a Repair Permit is required before beginning any system upgrade.

3. Why is it necessary to have my septic tank pumped?: The cost of a septic system is a major investment. To protect that investment and prolong the life of your system, it is necessary to have the septic tank pumped out. Since all solids in your household wastewater settle out in the tank, it's important to have the tank pumped to avoid having sludge block the pipes that allows the liquids to move on to the leach field for filtration. Failure to routinely pump the septic tank may result in the clogging of your leach field and cause a premature malfunction of the system.

4. What kind of information needs to be considered in planning a new residential subdivision that will use septic systems for sewage disposal?: Site conditions that affect the operation of individual sewage disposal systems include the types of soils that are present, depth to the groundwater table, depth to bedrock and the presence of surface water such as lakes or irrigation ditches. With a thorough knowledge of site conditions, subdivisions can be designed to take advantage of the best soils for treating sewage while avoiding problem conditions such as high groundwater or irrigation ditches. Some of the options used in the subdivision design process include clustering, variations in lot size, and creation of open space in areas not suitable for septic systems.