Septic on Western Slope ground

6-3.1 Who issues the permit, and what does the state require?

Your local public health agency does, or the office it has designated. Regulation 43 as published says to get the permit before installing, altering or repairing a system. A permit expires one year after issue if construction hasn't started, and final approval needs an inspection before backfill.

The same rule says an owner of a noncompliant system must apply for a repair permit within two business days of the agency's notice. Site work has four parts: preliminary investigation, reconnaissance, a detailed soil investigation and a report with site plan. The wording here comes from a law publisher's copy of the regulation, because the state health department's pages couldn't be opened.

We couldn't open the Delta County or Montrose County pages when this was last checked, so ask each office directly. Ask for the current septic regulation by date, whether it has changed lately, and whether engineers must design new systems.

6-3.2 What Mesa County says

Mesa's 2024 regulation covers unincorporated areas and municipalities. It states that "No inspections for transferring of title or plumbing is required." Permit applications can't be transferred, and repair permits run 180 days.

It also says no permit goes to a site within a special service district and within 400 feet of sewer, with exceptions. Read the document if you are close to a sewer line. The county's Septic Department issues permits and clearances, the Building Department inspects installation, and pumpers must be licensed.

6-3.3 Is an inspection required when a house sells?

That depends on the county. Regulation 43 says a local board of health may, but need not, require inspection at sale or title transfer. Where it is required, inspectors are certified and acceptance lasts until closing or 12 months at most. Mesa says no. For Delta and Montrose, ask before you sign anything.

6-3.4 How often should a tank be pumped?

EPA says to have the system inspected at least every three years and pump household tanks every three to five years, and to inspect yearly if the system has pumps or floats. The pumper decides by measuring. EPA's trigger is scum within 6 inches of the outlet, sludge within 12 inches, or the two together over 25% of the liquid depth.

The drainfield lines are EPA's. The chlorine line is Mesa County's warning for shock chlorination (§2-3). Softeners matter too: a Montana State Extension sheet says sodium from recharge can raise drainfield failure risk in clayey soils (§4-2, §6-1).

6-3.5 Why no one goes in a tank

Septic tank gases have killed people, and rescuers have died with the first victim. EPA says tanks produce hydrogen sulfide and methane, and NIOSH lists septic tanks as confined spaces. NIOSH records a July 16, 1986 case: a worker entering a tank to clean it collapsed, two who went in after him also died, and all three were dead when removed.