onsite wastewater treatment systems · on-site wastewater treatment systems (owts) ......

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems

Presented by: Environmental Health Date: May 14, 2016

On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)

• OWTS Team – 4 Environmental Health Specialists

• 30,000 estimated operating OWTS

• Three types of permits: new, major repair, minor repair

• Prevent the contamination of groundwater

What is an OWTS?

What is an OWTS?

Particles settling in 3’ of water Particle diameter (mm) Example Settling time thru 1 meter

10 Gravel 1 seconds

1.0 Sand 10 seconds

0.1 Fine sand 2 minutes

0.01 Clay 2 hours

0.001 Bacteria 8 days

0.0001 Colloid 2 years

0.00001 Colloid 20 years

*Milk is an emulsified colloid of liquid butterfat globules dispersed within a water solution.

What is an OWTS?

What is an OWTS?

What is an OWTS?

What is an OWTS?

What is an OWTS?

Table 7-1, Setbacks

Application for OWTS Permit

• Applications are submitted by owner of property, installer, or the builder

EH Specialists conduct: – Application design review* – Soil and site evaluations** – Issue permit – Conduct final inspection – As-built drawing

Application design review

Soil and site evaluations

Soil and site evaluations

Soil and site evaluations

OWTS Licensing

• Contractors – Tier 1 and Tier 2 Installer Tests – Required every 2 years to remain licensed

• Certified Inspectors – Transfer of Title

• System Cleaners – Inspected annually

Transfer of Title Program

• Any house being sold on an OWTS

• Certified inspection

• Acceptance document

• Protect groundwater and homeowner’s investment

Technical Advisory Group (TAG)

• Increase communication between industry and public health

• Encourage healthy feedback on customer service, policies and regulations

What can you find on the website?

• http://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/services/site-wastewater-treatment-systems

– Link to El Paso County Assessor’s website – List of licensed designers, contractors, inspectors,

and cleaners – Transfer of Title Acceptance Document Application – TAG meeting information

EPCPH Contact:

Aaron Doussett, M.S., R.E.H.S. Program Manager Environmental Health Division El Paso County Public Health 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd. Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907 Office: (719) 578-3131 Cell: (719) 235-1740 www.elpasocountyhealth.org