Jefferson County Overhauls Septic Rules to Protect Drinking Water | The Locally Times
Proposed updates to on-site wastewater treatment systems follow new state mandates and could affect homeowner costs, with a public meeting scheduled for April 21.
New rules for septic systems are on the horizon in Jefferson County, and they could directly impact your drinking water and your wallet. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is proposing significant updates to its On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) regulations, commonly known as septic systems. These changes aim to safeguard public health and the environment by minimizing groundwater contamination, a critical drinking water source for many county residents. Residents are invited to share their feedback at an upcoming Board of Health meeting, scheduled for April 21, 2026, at 4 p.m. ## Regulatory Framework and the State Mandate On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) are key for treating and dispersing wastewater in areas without public sewers. These proposed revisions by JCPH are not arbitrary; they directly follow updates to Regulation 43, a statewide standard adopted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in 2025. While Regulation 43 sets minimum requirements for OWTS across Colorado, the state framework empowers individual counties like Jefferson to tailor local rules. The county's regulations are designed to ensure septic systems function properly, preventing contamination that could otherwise seep into local water supplies. ## What We Don't Know Yet: Costs and Responsibilities While the primary objective of these regulations remains the protection of public health and the environment through proper wastewater treatment, the public notice does not yet specify the details of the proposed changes to the On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems regulations. Information available to residents does not detail the potential impact these updates could have on homeowner costs or responsibilities for system maintenance, inspection, or upgrades. This makes resident input particularly critical. Jefferson County Public Health urges residents to participate in the upcoming Board of Health meeting to provide feedback, which will help ensure the rules are effective and reflect the priorities of Jefferson County residents. ## Key Questions Answered **What are these proposed changes about?** The proposed changes aim to update regulations for septic systems (On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, or OWTS) to protect public health and groundwater from contamination. **How can residents provide feedback?** Residents can share their feedback at the Board of Health meeting scheduled for April 21, 2026, at 4 p.m. **Why are these rules being updated now?** The proposed revisions follow updates to state-level Regulation 43, adopted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in 2025.