HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinor Repair Permit ConditionsGarfield 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
Aspen Waldorf Foundation June 18, 2025
16543 Highway 82
Carbondale, CO 81623
c/o Josh Ervin and Dana Ellis, AIA
via email: josh@waldorfschoolrf.com; dana@outpoststudioco.com
On May 28, 2025, Garfield County Public Health (GCPH) received correspondence regarding the Onsite
Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) minor repair permit application for the Waldorf School on the Roaring
Fork located at 16543 Highway 82 near Carbondale in Garfield County, Colorado from Dana Ellis of the Outpost
Studio, LLC. Dana explained that the wastewater flows for the current OWTS were designed to factor in the
flexible use of a school community. Various programs at the school contribute to a fluctuating school population,
which is rarely fully occupied. Water meter readings for 2024 indicate an average water usage of 891 gallons per
day (gpd) and a maximum water usage of 1,118 gpd. The school has operated under a maximum water usage of
1,508 gpd, which corresponds to the current OWTS design flow and tank sizing.
GCPH has reviewed your proposed plan to use Section 43.6.A.4.a.(2) of the Garfield County OWTS Regulation
utilizing water meter readings rather than wastewater flows provided in Table 6-2. The current plan provides the
water usage but is missing the wastewater strength parameters required to use Section 43.6.A.4.a.(2). Strength of
the wastewater is an important component to ensure that at least Treatment Level 1 (TL1) effluent is exiting the
final septic tank in the system before application to the Soil Treatment Area (STA), as required in Garfield
County OWTS Regulations Section 43.6.B.2. Section 43.6.A.4.a.(2)(ii) defines the parameters that shall be
included to determine if the wastewater is classified as high strength. Testing of the effluent should occur during
full occupancy periods, to capture the “worst case scenario”, so during the school year.
The Waldorf School proposes replacing the existing septic tanks which currently present a safety hazard in the
play yard with similar sized tanks as the first step in the total evaluation of the OWTS and provide the required
wastewater testing at a later date. Given this piece of the calculation needs to be when school is in session, GCPH
is willing to issue a minor repair permit for the tank replacement and approve of the septic tank “like-for-like”
permit, with the following conditions:
1. Water use shall continue to be metered. Notification shall be provided to GCPH if usage exceeds 1,500
gallons per day.
2. Testing of the wastewater effluent shall occur during a day of full occupancy and results shall be provided
to GCPH for review. The proposed sampling day shall occur no later than October 1, 2025.
a. Testing shall include BOD5 and Total Suspended Solids for evaluation for high strength
wastewater.
b. Sample location shall be the outlet of the final septic tank before application to the STA.
3. If the test results indicate the wastewater is high strength, a new design to treat the wastewater to TL1
levels shall be designed and the Waldorf School shall apply for an appropriate OWTS permit for the
design.
4. An inspection of the entire OWTS (including the STA) by a qualified OWTS professional (as defined
below) is required as part of a minor repair permit process. A report of the inspection will need to be
submitted to GCPH.
Garfield County Public Health Department – working to promote health and prevent disease
a. A “qualified OWTS professional” for the purposes of providing an inspection report on the
current condition of an existing OWTS is defined as an individual that meets the following
requirements:
i. A NAWT certified OWTS inspector; or
ii. A professional engineer licensed in the state of Colorado with OWTS experience; or
iii. An individual with previous OWTS experience who can evaluate the condition of an
OWTS, can determine if the system is in good working order and is functioning as
intended, and can provide documentation indicating how the assessment of the OWTS
was conducted.
b. The minimum requirements for an OWTS inspection report are:
i. Size of the existing septic tank;
ii. Size of the existing Soil Treatment Area (STA, commonly known as a leachfield);
iii. Distribution media of the STA (chambers, rock and pipe, unlined sand filter, etc.);
iv. Condition of all existing OWTS components;
v. Site plan showing locations of all OWTS components relative to building(s) on the
property;
vi. Description of how the determination of the condition of OWTS components was made.
The Waldorf School shall provide a letter on school letterhead indicating that they agree to these conditions and
the OWTS inspection report prior to GCPH issuing a permit. All conditions shall be met prior to GCPH issuing a
final acceptance letter for the permit. If these conditions are not met, GCPH will pursue compliance through the
Notice of Violation process. Contact me with questions.
Sincerely,
Edward R. White, P.E.
Environmental Health Specialist III
Garfield County Public Health
cc: Jannette Whitcomb, REHS, Garfield County Environmental Health Manager
Teresa Bianco, Garfield County community Development Permit Technician
Brooke Winschell, Garfield County Community Development Technician
Graham Jackson, Garfield County Assistant County Attorney