2025 OWTS Program Updates

• The approved El Paso County Board of Health OWTS Fees effective January 1, 2024, will remain in
• Property Sale Acceptance Document Application fee increases to the full cost of $368 for the initial system on a property as of January 1, 2025.

• Pump Curve Requirement
  • All systems utilizing a pump for distribution to the STA will require submission of the design pump
  • If designing for multiple pump models the appropriate curves must be submitted for each
    • Otherwise, it will be assumed no substitution for pump can be
  • Pump substitutions
    • Will require an OWTS Change Request to be completed prior to final inspection
    • This must include the updated pump curve

• Ball Valves on Flushing Assembly (Pressure Distribution)
  • After discussion across multiple industry sectors related to the necessity, functionality, and practicality of installing ball valves on flushing assemblies, EPCPH has determined these components add no benefit to the Therefore, installation of ball valves is discouraged on flushing assemblies.
  • Our Operation and Maintenance (O&M) service providers have found there are more issues with breaking and freezing of these components leading to system malfunctions.

• Pre-sand Placement Inspection
  • Any permit requiring subsurface imported media (sand) placement will require an open excavation inspection, conducted by EPCPH staff, prior to sand placement.
    • For 2025, there will be no additional charge for this inspection, nor will it count toward the number of inspections included each permit cost.

• • Open excavation inspections must be requested via the final inspection
    • EPCPH will prioritize these requests as the first inspections of the day to allow industry to continue with installation.
• Control Panel Height

• • EPCPH will require all control panels to be a minimum of 36” above grade, as measured to the top of the panel.
    • Please note this does not supersede any manufacture requirements, such as Orenco panels which must be a minimum of 72” to top of panel.
    • Required regardless of how the panel is installed (i.e on a post, riser, or structure)
    • Rationale: O&M service provider feedback related to appropriate system service as part of the O&M program requirements.

• Residual Head (Squirt Height) Test:
  
  • All permitted designs that include pressure distribution system will be required to provide a residual head (squirt height) test prior to final approval of the system.
  • Backfill approval:
    • Will be granted at the time of construction installation inspection provided all other aspects meet the regulatory requirements.
  • Squirt height test must be completed and verified by the design engineer:
    • A minimum of 1 zone must be fully tested provided:
      • The design engineer verifies the orifice size and spacing of all zones comply with the design parameters and regulations.
      • The design engineer must directly state in their certification letter that the orifices were verified and in compliance.
    • Squirt Height must be documented in the Certification Letter and will be included in the EPCPH Final Approval Record.
    • Squirt Height requirements:
      • Must be as equal in height, as feasible as possible, within the same zone
    • A video of the test with property context must be submitted to EPCPH for to review.

• Site Maps Required
  • Site record (map) will be required as follows:
    • No records of a system exist
    • The system as installed does not match the current record
  • The Certified Inspector should submit a rough sketch of the site and system as observed at time of inspection.

• Pictures Required
  • Pictures will be required with each inspection submitted
  • Pictures of each component will be required
    • Any accessible component including but not limited to tank, distribution mechanism, flush assemblies, inspection ports etc. must be included
    • Any component which is not accessible must have pictures of component area (i.e. STA)
  • Observed Conditions require pictures of the condition
    • Any time a condition is identified a picture of the condition must be submitted

• Newly Licensed Installer
  • Beginning 2025, any newly licensed installer will be required to complete pre-construction inspections with EPCPH staff.
    • 1- 3 pre-construction inspections will be required depending on the competency displayed during each occurrence.
    • Applies to any installer request who has never been licensed by EPCPH
    • Inspections will be at no additional cost during this initial implementation period
    • Temporary approval to operate will be given upon passing the installer exam with full license issuance after completion of pre-construction requirement.

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is in the process of a Regulations 43
  • Water Quality Control Commission hearing scheduled for March 10, 2025
  • Upon its completion and approval this will give EPCPH one year to amend its Chapter 8 Regulation to be in alignment with Regulation 43.

In anticipation of the upcoming regulation change/update, the following will be required:

• OWTS Designers
  • Will be required to be on an approved list for any OWTS design document to be
  • Applicable Parties: Professional Engineers, General Contractors, OWTS Licensed Installers
  • Note: General Contractors and OWTS Licensed installers will not be able to submit designs which require an engineer as indicated in the regulations.
    • General contractors and OWTS Licensed installers will only be able to submit designs on conventional systems which will still require a professional engineer- stamped soils report.
    • • Homeowners will be addressed and able to submit design documents as part of the HO affidavit.
• Requirements to be an accepted designer within EPC:
  • Colorado Professional Engineers:
    • Take and pass the National Association of Wastewater Technicians Design course, offered through Colorado Professional in Onsite Wastewater, and
    • Take and pass the National Association of Wastewater Technicians soil course, offered through Colorado Professional in Onsite Wastewater.
  • Other Conventional Designers
    • Take and pass the National Association of Wastewater Technicians Design course, offered through Colorado Professional in Onsite Wastewater.
  • NOTE: this information is being provided to facilitate meeting this requirement upon a regulation revision in the next 12-18 months.