Office Presentations

Hi Folks,

I am available to give presentations at no charge to your real estate office about the Septic smart program. This is a busy time for listing properties. Don't risk having a closing postponed due to an issue with a Property Transfer Certificate!

Septic Inspection Process

Evaluate septic components inside the home:

We will determine whether all waste lines are properly discharging into approved waste systems. This part of the inspection also includes a flow test where dye tablets are introduced into the septic system. This test will simulate normal septic usage and enable inspectors to observe drainage.

Examine inside the treatment tank:

We open the tank, examine the inlet and outlet baffles and determine the volume of the treatment tank. The tank is then inspected for cracks, corrosion and leakage. In addition, we also check the waste levels inside the treatment tank. We use an infrared camera to aid in this process. The tank is then pumped during our inspection. The physical condition of the tank cannot be assessed below the waste level. Pumping the tank allows us to completely inspect the tank, so that the parts of the system can be evaluated under normal operating conditions. We will visually inspect the surface area of the absorption field to locate signs of system backups and probe underground to check for excessive moisture, odor, and/or effluent.

Comprehensive and Easy to Read Report:

Our inspection report provides the overall condition of the septic system and what problems may be present.The home owner or Legal Agent will need to sign the General Information Form. As a service to the agent or homeowner, we will turn in the inspection to the Boulder County Health Department.

What happens if I purchase a home that hasn't been inspected?

If you somehow managed to purchase a home that did not have the system inspected you will receive a letter from the Boulder County Health department alerting you that you are in violation of the regulation.

You will have to comply with the regulation AT YOUR EXPENSE. The letter will be sent to the buyer the seller and the involved Realtors but ultimately as the new home owner you are the one held responsible by the County.

This can be very costly if there are necessary repairs needed or you are dealing with a failing system.

2012 Inspection Fees

Most inspections will accrue the Inspection of the Onsite Wastewater Sytem fee, the Boulder County Certificate Fee, and the cost of having the system pumped. The Fee's to the County and the pumper are paid directly to those entities. The listed fees do not include the cost of pumping which varies based on the size of the tank.

• Inspection of an Onsite wastewater sysem: $375.00.

  Return visit fee: $85.00

• Excavating fee: $85.00 per hour

• Boulder County Certificate Fee: $50.00
  
  
  
  
  
  

Keys To Safe Operation Your Septic System

•PUMP your system every 2-4 years.

•KEEP records and receipts for all
services, repairs, maintenance and
inspections of your system.

•DISPOSE only of toilet tissue in your
toilets. No baby wipes or feminine
products.

•PUT only edible food scraps
in your disposal. No coffee
grinds, egg shells, grease, etc.

•USE liquid detergents and
bath soaps that have fewer
sudsing agents than the
powder versions.

•PRACTICE water conservation.

•DIVERT roof drains and surface water
from driveways and hillsides away from
the septic system. Keep sump pumps and
house footing drains away from the septic
system.

•DON’T dispose of chemicals down your
drain. Take leftover hazardous household
chemicals to your approved hazardous
waste collection center for disposal. Use
bleach, disinfectants, drain and toilet bowl
cleaners sparingly.

•DON’T think you need to buy additives
for your system. Your system is designed
to maintain proper function
with beneficial bacteria.

•DON’T wa t e r, ins t a l l
s p r i n k l e r s y s t e m s o r
landscape other than specified
grasses over your leach field
area.

•DON’T drive, park, build or recreate on
your leach field.. This includes sledding
and snowmobiling.

•DON’T make or allow repairs to your
system without the required permits.