HomeMy WebLinkAboutNotice of OWTS Violation 08.01.25Garfield 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
Drew Taylor August 1, 2025
310 Flying Fish Rd
Carbondale, CO 81623
Notice of Violation
Drew Taylor,
On August 1, 2025, Garfield County Public Health (GCPH) conducted a final
inspection of the installation pursuant to SEPT #9195 located at 310 Flying Fish
Rd, near Carbondale in Garfield County, Colorado. During the inspection multiple
deficiencies were observed such that an additional inspection will be required prior
to approval for backfill. Also noted during the inspection was continued use of an
existing OWTS system for an occupied detached 2-bedroom dwelling unit that is
required to be abandoned per SEPT #9195. Staff observed surfacing effluent in
sewer line trench excavations, which may be a result of this continued use (see
pictures included in this letter).
It is a violation of Article 10 of Title 25 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (the On-
site Wastewater Treatment Systems Act) and the Garfield County Onsite
Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Regulations, Resolution No. 2023-09 for
a building’s wastewater to discharge directly onto the ground. All wastewater
leaving a building must be contained and treated such that no wastewater is
observed above ground.
Therefore this letter serves as a notice of violation of Garfield County OWTS
regulations which can be found online at https://www.garfieldcountyco.gov/environmental-health/onsite-
wastewater-treatment-systems/.
The following steps outline necessary actions to demonstrate to GCPH that you, the property owner,
intend to correct this violation and avoid a hearing before the Garfield County Board of Health:
1. You shall immediately stop using the existing OWTS system, that is contributing to the direct
discharge of sewage to the environment. And within two business days you shall notify GCPH of
the following:
a. Disconnection of the ADU’s sewer line to existing septic tank.
b. Proper installation of new sewage line to new septic tank per SEPT # 9195.
c. Proper anchoring of septic tank and pump chamber per manufacturer specifications and
designer.
d. Pumping of existing septic tank.
e. New septic tank may be used as a vault until all punch list items listed in GCPH email to
Drew Taylor on August 1, 2025 subject line “OWTS final inspection punch list, 310 flying
fish rd, SEPT-9195”, with the following conditions:
Garfield County Public Health Department – working to promote health and prevent disease
i. Temporarily cap effluent line exiting second chamber of septic tank prior to pump
chamber.
ii. Pump new septic tank as needed to prevent backflow into buildings until SEPT
#9195 has received final approval by both GCPH and designer.
Failure to correct this violation will result in the scheduling of a Cease-and-Desist Order Hearing with
the Garfield County Board of Health to determine immediate corrective actions, which may include:
• A Cease-and-Desist Order – requires the owner to stop using the OWTS;
• Monetary Fines; and
• Other remedies available by law.
Please contact me at (970) 665-6373 or jwhitcomb@garfieldcountyco.gov 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: John Plano, Garfield County Chief Building Officer
Teresa Bianco, Garfield County community Development Permit Technician
Brooke Winschell, Garfield County Community Development Technician
Graham Jackson, Garfield County Assistant County Attorney