HomeMy WebLinkAboutOWTS Installation Observations 10.23.17
October 23, 2017 Project No. C1254
Melanie Rossow
melanierossow@msn.com
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Installation Observations
Lot 4, Westbank Mesa
Garfield County, Colorado
Permit Number SEPT-04-17-4656
Melanie,
ALL SERVICE septic, LLC observed the installation of the onsite wastewater treatment system (OW TS)
on September 5, 2017 for the subject property. Gray Excavation installed the system.
The installation included a new 1250-gallon, two-compartment Copeland® concrete septic tank with an
effluent filter on the outlet tee of the septic tank. The contractor used PolyLock® effluent filter rather than
an Orenco® Biotube effluent filter. This brand is acceptable, although we find it more difficult to adapt a
filter handle to the PolyLock® brand filter. This filter must be cleaned annually, or as needed.
Effluent will gravity flows to a distribution box. W e suggested the distribution box be brought to grade and
for future access and monitoring and an angled pipe be added to the inlet tee as the distribution box
lacked a built-in baffle. We also suggested flow equalizers, or similar product, to be installed on each
pipe exiting the distribution box to assure equal distribution to each trench.
The soil treatment area (STA) consists of four rows gravelless chamber trenches. The contractor
changed the configuration of our originally specified 13 ‘Quick 4’ Infiltrator® chambers. Looking east to
west, the first two trenches have 15 chambers, the next has 12 chambers, and the western most trench
has 10 chambers for a total of 52 chambers and 624 square feet of infiltrative area. There was at least 6-
feet of undisturbed soil between each trench. Inspection ports were installed at both the beginning and
end of each trench. Inspection ports may be cut to grade and covered with a valve box for access.
The OWTS was generally installed according to specifications. This observation is not a guarantee of
workmanship and/or parts and materials. ALL SERVICE septic, LLC should be notified if changes are
made to the OWTS in the future. Any additional OWTS construction must be according to the county
regulations.
LIMITS: Observations are limited to components that are visible at the time of the inspection. The installer must
have documented and demonstrated knowledge of the requirements and regulations of the county in
which they are working. The quality of the installation is dependent of the expertise of the installer, soil
type, and weather conditions.
Please call with questions.
Sincerely,
ALL SERVICE septic, LLC Reviewed By:
Carla Ostberg, MPH, REHS Richard H. Petz, P.E.
View of septic tank installation Inlet tee
Outlet tee with effluent filter (recommend extension handle on filter for easy removal and cleaning
Views of inlet and outlet tees prior to placement of risers
Views of distribution box
Recommended access from grade, an angled pipe on inlet, and flow equalizers
Chambers trenches contractor filled trenches with gravel around chambers
This office did not specify gravel surrounding “gravelless chambers”. Installation technique chosen by
contractor.
Photos of backfill over system
832‐R‐13‐002