1. Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
(OWTS)

2. Yes, it matters. To your health, to your family, to your home, to our water and to the community. Maintaining a healthy, functioning OWTS keeps you and your family safe from contaminated water and E. coli bacteria.
Everyone downstream depends on clean, reliable water. Unmaintained OWTS can be disastrous when bacteria and other toxins leach out into our groundwater and streams through a poorly maintained system.
Make sure to keep your OWTS maintained.

3. Our Mission is to Protect
BCPH Mission
Protect, promote and enhance the health and well-being of all people and the environment in Boulder County
Strategic Goal
Assure residents are empowered to make informed decisions and adopt behaviors that protect and enhance the health of individuals, families, communities, and the environment

4. OWTS In Boulder County ~14,300 Systems in Boulder County
1631 Unapproved Systems
Improper construction and poor maintenance
Groundwater contamination
Undrinkable wells
Impaired waterways

5. Operation & Maintenance Do’s & Don’ts
Conserve water to avoid overloading the system
Have your septic tank pumped regularly (2-4 years depending on use)
Use substitutes for hazardous household chemicals
Learn location of septic tank and drain field. Keep a sketch with your maintenance records for service visits
Cover the drain field with native grasses to prevent erosion & to remove excess moisture
Keep septic tank covers accessible for inspections and pumping
Get your OWTS permitted and approved by BCPH
Visit our website for more information:

6. Operation & Maintenance Do’s & Don’ts
Put dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, latex paint, pesticides or other hazardous chemicals in your OWTS.
Use caustic drain openers for clogged drains. Instead use boiling water or a drain snake to open clogs.
Allow vehicle or livestock traffic on your OWTS. This can compact the soil or damage the pipes, tank or other OWTS components.
Plant anything over or near the drain field except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.
Dig in your drain field or build on top of it and don’t cover it with hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt.
Repair or replace your OWTS without obtaining the required permit. Use licensed OWTS contractors when repairs or services are needed.
Visit our website for more information:

7. Well Minimum of 4’ of Soil
These additional slides are for illustrative purposes only, in the event that the dialogue with the audience involves more basic questions about how septic systems work and what to look for as “watch out” situations for proper system performance and maintenance.

12. Drinking Water Wells
Regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources
For information on shock chlorination and/or laboratory testing please visit

13. Questions?
Boulder County Public Health 3450 Broadway Ave Boulder CO, (303)