El Paso County Public Health South will be closed until further notice, due to water damage. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.
On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems
NOTICE: Effective June 13, 2022, we will no longer be conducting field work or final inspections on Wednesdays until further notice.
NOTICE: As of January 1, 2022, EPCPH will require profile pits for any site along the HWY 24 W corridor to remain open for site inspection, prior to issuance of an OWTS permit.
El Paso County Public Health inspects and regulates on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). We protect public health and the environment by preventing human exposure to sewage and the contamination of our groundwater by ensuring the proper placement, design, installation, and maintenance of OWTS. We focus on regulation of wastewater treatment systems associated with both commercial and residential facilities that are not serviced by a municipal wastewater system. There are an estimated 30,000 operating OWTS in El Paso County.
I want to...
Submit an OWTS application or pay an invoice
All OWTS Applications are now available Online for electronic submission! You must create a log-in to use the online system.
View final inspections
View recent OWTS Industry Updates
Schedule a licensed installer exam
Access permit information
El Paso County Septic Permits are viewable online. The information is available on the El Paso County Assessor's Public Records Real Estate Property Search website. This allows OWTS permit and as-built information to be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Not all parcels or properties have complete OWTS system records on file. If the OWTS system record cannot be found online, please email us at [email protected] for assistance.
Resources
Forms
Permit Forms
- Apply for an On-Site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Permit - Application
- Conventional (Non-Engineered) On-site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Design Worksheet - Short Form
- Designed for Licensed Professionals
- Conventional (Non-Engineered) On-site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Design Worksheet - Comprehensive
- Designed for Home Owners
- Example OWTS Design Document
- OWTS Change Request - Request Form
- Requests for:
- Abandonment of current system
- Permit changes including design alterations, property re-enumeration, and change to permit type
- Field change requests that do not impact system sizing
- Requests for:
Other OWTS Forms
- Apply for a Professional License or Certification - Application
- Apply for a new Pumper/Cleaner Inspection - Application
Industry Professional Resources
Applications
- Apply for a Professional License or Certification - Application
- Apply for a new Pumper/Cleaner Inspection - Application
Resources
- Chapter 8: Onsite Wastewater Systems Regulations
- Approved Distribution Products
- Approved Higher-Level Treatment Systems
- Approved OWTS Tanks
- CPOW Part A Professionals
- Mound System Guidance Document
- NDDS Guidance Document
- Wastewater Site Application Policy 6
Property Sale Inspection Form
Completed Inspection forms will only be accepted from the certified inspectors email address on file.
Operation & Maintenance Inspection Forms
Completed Inspection forms will only be accepted from the certified inspectors email address on file.
Trainings and Certification Courses
- National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT)
- Colorado Professionals in On-site Wastewater (CPOW)
- National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA)
Technical Advisory Group (TAG)
The On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems' Technical Advisory Group meets quarterly to discuss on-site wastewater policy, current science, technology, and trends. Meetings are held at the Public Health offices in the Citizens Service Center located at 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road. For more information, contact Kat McGarvy, Program Manager, at (719) 578-3112 or by email at [email protected]
- You can also view meeting minutes of previous TAG meetings online as well as industry updates.
Property Owner Resources
OWTS Use and Care
- Chapter 8: Onsite Wastewater Systems Regulations
- How to use and care for your OWTS - EPA Septic Smart
Find a Professional
- Licensed Installers
- Licensed Cleaners
- O&M Certified Inspectors
- Property Sale Certified Inspectors
Property Sale and Maintenance
Property Sale
El Paso County Public Health requires a property owner of a residence or other building/facility served by an OWTS to have an inspection of that system to demonstrate that the system is functioning according to design prior to the sale of the property. Each individual OWTS on a single property is required to have its own inspection and Property Sale Acceptance Document Application.
Please complete the application via PDF below and email to [email protected]. Once received you will receive further instruction for payment. The fee for submitting a Property Sale Acceptance Document Application is $55.
- Apply for a Property Sale Acceptance Document - Application
- Property Sale Certified Inspectors
Operation and Maintenance (O&M)
Required to permit the reduction of soil treatment areas, vertical separation distances to limiting layers or reductions in horizontal separation distances by using higher level treatment systems are based on the criteria that these systems are functioning as designed. If these criteria are not met, failure or malfunction is likely, which could result in damage to public health and water quality.
EPCPH has developed a program of inspections, maintenance, recordkeeping and enforcement to ensure and document that higher level treatment systems are meeting the designed standards. Systems utilizing pressure distribution or an in tank treatment unit are required to provide a maintenance contract with a listed O & M Certified Inspector. Additionally, all newly installed systems require the submission of a maintenance inspection every 6 months for the first year followed by annual inspection thereafter.
- O&M Certified Inspectors