HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLVED Notice of OWTS Violation 03.21.25Garfield County Public Health Department – working to promote health and prevent disease
Public Health
195 West 14th Street 2014 Blake Avenue
Rifle, CO 81650 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 625-5200 (970) 945-6614
Tom and Naomi Laidlaw March 21, 2025
37836 River Frontage Road
New Castle, CO 81647
Parcel Identification No.: 218105300294
Via email: njohnson@yahoo.com
Notice of Violation (RESOLVED)
To Tom and Naomi Laidlaw,
Garfield County Public Health (GCPH) received an Onsite Wastewater
Treatment System (OWTS) permit application for the OWTS to be
constructed for the proposed residence at 37836 River Frontage Road
near New Castle on March 3, 2025. As part of the review process, we
conducted a site visit on March 6, 2025. GCPH staff discovered that you
are living on the property in a camping trailer, and you informed GCPH
staff that you were discharging wastewater directly on the ground. GCPH
staff did not observe wastewater discharge or pipes during our site visit.
Bathroom facilities are currently provided via a portable toilet located
adjacent to the trailer. Wastewater includes both black (sewage) and grey
(dishwater, floor drains, showers, sinks, etc.) water.
Discharging wastewater directly onto the ground is a violation of the Garfield County Onsite Wastewater
Treatment System (OWTS) Regulations, Resolution No. 2023-09. All wastewater leaving a structure must
be contained and treated such that no wastewater is observed above ground. The current Garfield
County OWTS regulations can be found online at https://www.garfieldcountyco.gov/environmental-
health/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/4-20-23-Garfield-County-amended-regulation-
43_OWTS_2023.pdf. Portable toilets per section 43.12.E.7.b in our OWTS Regulations are only allowed
for temporary use during construction or emergency use. GCPH did not observe active construction at
the site. Portable toilets are not meant to be a permanent wastewater handling solution.
As discussed during a phone conversation with Tom Laidlaw, landowner, and Ted White, GCPH EH
Specialist III, on March 14, 2025, you agreed to cease the direct discharge of wastewater from the
camper onto the ground and shall utilize the wastewater tanks in the camper and dispose of the
wastewater appropriately. Tom agreed to provide documentation of proper disposal of wastewater to
GCPH at the next need for disposal. Additionally, Tom confirmed that there is an active building permit
currently undergoing review with our Community Development Department for a new residence.
Finally, Tom agreed to install the proposed OWTS at his earliest convenience and connect the
Garfield County Public Health Department – working to promote health and prevent disease
wastewater line from the camper to the first compartment of the septic tank such that the use of the
portable toilet will cease.
Please contact Ted White with GCPH at (970) 665-6383 or twhite@garfield-county.com to discuss this
notice of violation and answer questions you may have on the above steps to correct this OWTS
violation.
Sincerely,
Jannette Whitcomb
Environmental Health Manager
Garfield County Public Health
cc: Graham Jackson, Garfield County Assistant County Attorney