Posted on: September 10th, 2011

Meeting Held on July 19, 2011

Summary Issued on August 6, 2011

Purpose of the Meeting

The purpose of the meeting was to have a question-and-answer session regarding letters sent to Gold Hill homeowners whose septic systems have been identified as “unapproved” by the Boulder County Department of Environmental Health.  The meeting was requested by the Department of Environmental Health and was held in the Gold Hill Fire Barn Community Center between 6:30-8:30 PM on July 19^th.

Boulder County Representatives

Mark D. Williams, Water Quality Program Coordinator: (303) 441-1143

Iris Sherman-Boemker, Environmental Health Specialist: (303) 441-1468

Wendy Blanchard, Administrative Technician:  (303) 441-1180

Gold Hill Attendees

Bill and Crystal Atkinson

Jack Laughlin

Bob and Luzie Mason

Mary Ryan

Max Yeager

Date for Final Approval of Unapproved Septic Systems in Gold Hill

The Boulder County Department of Public Health (BCPH) has set an overall date of December 31, 2023 for final approval of any unapproved septic systems in the County.  In addition, the Department of Public Health has evaluated what they consider high risk areas in the County and selected earlier compliance dates for these areas.  The final approval date selected for Gold Hill is December 31, 2016. This date was based on density, number of unapproved systems, probable system age, distance to groundwater and drinking water sources, soil, slope, distance to surface water and density of housing.

The December 31, 2016 deadline is considered a firm date for Gold Hill.  Non-compliance after that date will result in additional action by the County including the possibility of an administrative hearing for the land owner involved.  In cases of extreme hardship, the County will continue to work with the owner to find a suitable solution.

Unapproved Septic Systems in Gold Hill

Septic systems for 28 residences in the Gold Hill Town Site were identified as unapproved by the County.  Max Yeager points out that some of these systems may be in compliance, but have not been listed as approved.

A listing of both approved and unapproved septic systems in the Gold Hill Town Site is shown on the County’s website www.SepticSmart.org.  This listing provides a reference to what types of systems are currently meeting OWS standards.

Homes Built in 1958 or Earlier

Homes in Gold Hill that were built in 1958 or earlier may receive special considerations from the BCPH.  For a replacement system, if there is not enough room on the property to accommodate a leach field that meets all current requirements, the leach field may be installed in the area of the existing system and no closer to setback requirements than the existing system.  Homes built in 1959 and later will require compliance with current Boulder County Public Health standards.

Other Triggers for BCPH Review of Septic Systems

BCPH requires a septic system evaluation in the event of a sale or transfer of ownership of the home or an application for a building permit.

Steps to Achieve Final Approval

The verification procedure to achieve final approval of an existing onsite septic system (OWS) is listed on the County’s SepticSmart website and includes the following:

If the owner believes that the existing un-permitted OWS does comply with current BCPH OWS regulations, he may apply for a “Major Repair” permit at Boulder County Public Health, 3450 Broadway, Boulder, to continue using the OWS.  There is a $751 fee for the permit.  BCPH may approve a Major Repair Permit under the following conditions:

The septic tank(s) and absorption field)s) are located.

An eight-foot deep soil profile hole is dug near the absorption field(s) to confirm that there is four feet of suitable soil beneath the absorption field(s), and inspected by BCPH.

The septic tank is uncovered for BCPH inspection.  Documentation must be provided indicating the tank has been pumped within the last four years.

BCPH is provided with an evaluation of the OWS, conducted by a registered professional engineer (RPE) which states that the existing OWS complies with current regulations.  The RPE must also supply information indicating the size of the absorption bed based on recent percolation tests approved by BCPH.  BCPH will evaluate the engineer’s findings and determine whether the system is in compliance.  If the existing system does not comply with current regulations, installation of a new OWS will be required.

Assistance from the Environmental Health Division

A number of questions were posed by Gold Hill attendees including:

• Current policy on vaults, composting toilets and grey water leachfields
• Acceptance of older systems which are in good working order
• Vacating of County-owned land to provide suitable septic system sites
• Cost of permits and upgrades
• Systems requiring licensed engineers and possibly geologists

The BCPH representatives in the meeting made the point that they would like to work with the homeowners, installers and engineers to work out the most sensible and cost-effective system in each case.  This is a particularly important point, in that their assistance can result in flexibility in interpreting design conditions, assistance with vacating County land where feasible and in minimizing design and construction costs.

Conclusion

The purpose of this summary is to provide an information base for Gold Hill property owners who have been identified as having unapproved septic systems.  While there is quite a bit of time remaining before the 2016 deadline, it would be a good idea to start thinking and researching what septic system alternatives would be applicable to each individual situation.  Some of this information is available on the SepticSmart website, some is available through Gold Hill community knowledge and more is available through Iris Sherman-Boemker and the County staff.

Jack Laughlin

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF GOLD HILL MEETING ON SEPTIC SYSTEM COMPLIANCE

Meeting Held on July 19, 2011

Summary Issued on August 6, 2011

 

 

 

 

Purpose of the Meeting

The purpose of the meeting was to have a question-and-answer session regarding letters sent to Gold Hill homeowners whose septic systems have been identified as “unapproved” by the Boulder County Department of Environmental Health.  The meeting was requested by the Department of Environmental Health and was held in the Gold Hill Fire Barn Community Center between 6:30-8:30 PM on July 19^th.

 

Boulder County Representatives

Mark D. Williams, Water Quality Program Coordinator: (303) 441-1143

Iris Sherman-Boemker, Environmental Health Specialist: (303) 441-1468

Wendy Blanchard, Administrative Technician:  (303) 441-1180

 

Gold Hill Attendees

Bill and Crystal Atkinson

Jack Laughlin

Bob and Luzie Mason

Mary Ryan

Max Yeager

 

Date for Final Approval of Unapproved Septic Systems in Gold Hill

The Boulder County Department of Public Health (BCPH) has set an overall date of December 31, 2023 for final approval of any unapproved septic systems in the County.  In addition, the Department of Public Health has evaluated what they consider high risk areas in the County and selected earlier compliance dates for these areas.  The final approval date selected for Gold Hill is December 31, 2016. This date was based on density, number of unapproved systems, probable system age, distance to groundwater and drinking water sources, soil, slope, distance to surface water and density of housing.

 

The December 31, 2016 deadline is considered a firm date for Gold Hill.  Non-compliance after that date will result in additional action by the County including the possibility of an administrative hearing for the land owner involved.  In cases of extreme hardship, the County will continue to work with the owner to find a suitable solution.

Unapproved Septic Systems in Gold Hill

Septic systems for 28 residences in the Gold Hill Town Site were identified as unapproved by the County.  Max Yeager points out that some of these systems may be in compliance, but have not been listed as approved.

 

A listing of both approved and unapproved septic systems in the Gold Hill Town Site is shown on the County’s website www.SepticSmart.org.  This listing provides a reference to what types of systems are currently meeting OWS standards.

 

Homes Built in 1958 or Earlier

Homes in Gold Hill that were built in 1958 or earlier may receive special considerations from the BCPH.  For a replacement system, if there is not enough room on the property to accommodate a leach field that meets all current requirements, the leach field may be installed in the area of the existing system and no closer to setback requirements than the existing system.  Homes built in 1959 and later will require compliance with current Boulder County Public Health standards.

 

Other Triggers for BCPH Review of Septic Systems

BCPH requires a septic system evaluation in the event of a sale or transfer of ownership of the home or an application for a building permit.

Steps to Achieve Final Approval

The verification procedure to achieve final approval of an existing onsite septic system (OWS) is listed on the County’s SepticSmart website and includes the following:

 

If the owner believes that the existing un-permitted OWS does comply with current BCPH OWS regulations, he may apply for a “Major Repair” permit at Boulder County Public Health, 3450 Broadway, Boulder, to continue using the OWS.  There is a $751 fee for the permit.  BCPH may approve a Major Repair Permit under the following conditions:

 

• The septic tank(s) and absorption field)s) are located.

 

• An eight-foot deep soil profile hole is dug near the absorption field(s) to confirm that there is four feet of suitable soil beneath the absorption field(s), and inspected by BCPH.

 

• The septic tank is uncovered for BCPH inspection.  Documentation must be provided indicating the tank has been pumped within the last four years.

 

• BCPH is provided with an evaluation of the OWS, conducted by a registered professional engineer (RPE) which states that the existing OWS complies with current regulations.  The RPE must also supply information indicating the size of the absorption bed based on recent percolation tests approved by BCPH.  BCPH will evaluate the engineer’s findings and determine whether the system is in compliance.  If the existing system does not comply with current regulations, installation of a new OWS will be required.

Assistance from the Environmental Health Division

A number of questions were posed by Gold Hill attendees including:

 

• Current policy on vaults, composting toilets and grey water leachfields
• Acceptance of older systems which are in good working order
• Vacating of County-owned land to provide suitable septic system sites
• Cost of permits and upgrades
• Systems requiring licensed engineers and possibly geologists

 

The BCPH representatives in the meeting made the point that they would like to work with the homeowners, installers and engineers to work out the most sensible and cost-effective system in each case.  This is a particularly important point, in that their assistance can result in flexibility in interpreting design conditions, assistance with vacating County land where feasible and in minimizing design and construction costs.

 

Conclusion

The purpose of this summary is to provide an information base for Gold Hill property owners who have been identified as having unapproved septic systems.  While there is quite a bit of time remaining before the 2016 deadline, it would be a good idea to start thinking and researching what septic system alternatives would be applicable to each individual situation.  Some of this information is available on the SepticSmart website, some is available through Gold Hill community knowledge and more is available through Iris Sherman-Boemker and the County staff.

 

Jack Laughlin