HomeMy WebLinkAboutPitkin.EH.264929102003 () (3)
CBO Inc.
33 Four Wheel Drive Road
Carbondale, CO 81623
cell) 970-309-5259 office) 970-704-0484
carla.ostberg@gmail.com
October 13, 2016
Mike Kennedy
mikekennedy@sopris.net
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Use Permit Inspection
375 Ute Trail
Pitkin County, Colorado
Mike,
As requested, CBO Inc. performed an Onsite W astewater Treatment System (OWTS) Use Permit
inspection at 375 Ute Trail, Carbondale, Colorado on September 29 and October 13, 2016. The legal
description of the .830-acre property is Lot 29, Swiss Village Tracts.
The permit and record drawing was provided by Pitkin County Environmental Health Department (Parcel
ID #2649-291-02-003). The subject OWTS consists of one 1000-gallon, two-compartment Copeland
Concrete septic tank followed by a seepage pit, or drywell, that is approximately 18-feet deep below the
inlet with 864 square feet of “effective area”. Individual Sewage Disposal System Permit 85003
documents this system. The permit was finalized on May 16, 1985. The system was sized to
accommodate 1 bedroom. There are 2-bedrooms in the residence. An email from Pitkin County dated
October 15, 2010 (enclosed) describes research of Pitkin County Building Department documents and
the bedroom count discrepancy.
The septic tank is located to the east of the residence. The septic tank was initially not accessible from
grade, and the lids were excavated prior to the inspection. The liquid level in the septic tank was
found to be over-full. B&R Septic was present at the time of the inspection to pump; however, only a
limited amount of pumping occurred due the solid accumulation in the septic tank and the fact there was
no access to water on the property. It was clear the septic tank had not been pumped in an extended
period of time. Given the over-full condition of the septic tank, we recommended jetting the line between
the septic tank and drywell to assure it was not clogged or broken.
B&R Septic returned to the property on October 12, 2013 to complete pumping and added risers to the
manhole lids. They returned again on October 13, 2016 to jet the line between the septic tank and the
drywell. B&R personnel reported “catching” the jetter on a certain area of the pipe each time it passed
through. This could be an indication of a break in the pipe. Additionally, once the jetter reached the end
of the pipe, there was no evident drop into the drywell. Typically when the jetter reaches the drywell, it
will drop into the void.
We visited the property again on October 13, 2016 to verify installation of the risers on the septic tank. At
the time of both inspections, there was no evidence of surface saturation or evidence of failure in the
area of the drywell. The drywell is located under the railroad ties to the east of the residence, and west of
the driveway. It was reported to us that the residence has been vacant for 3 to 4 years.
Findings by B&R Septic at the time of jetting indicate there could be a problem with the pipe from the
septic tank to the drywell and/or the drywell. Both of these components must be uncovered in order
to complete the inspection. Once uncovered, this office must be contacted to inspect the system.
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Disclaimer: This inspection is intended only as an evaluation of the present condition of the OWTS
based upon what was observed and the Licensed Inspector’s expertise in onsite wastewater technology.
The Inspector has not been retained to warrant or guarantee the proper functioning of the system for any
period of time in the future. Because of numerous factors which may affect the operation of an OWTS,
as well as the inability of the Inspector to supervise or monitor the use or maintenance of this OWTS, this
report shall not be construed as a warranty by the Inspector that the system will function properly for any
particular prospective buyer, and the Inspector disclaims any warranty, either expressed or implied,
arising from the inspection of the OWTS or this report. The evaluation does not ascertain the impact the
system is having on groundwater.
Please call with questions.
Sincerely,
Carla Ostberg, MPH, REHS
NAWT Certified Inspector
Certification # 11044ITC Exp. April 2018
Pumping septic tank
Both inlet and outlet tees are present in the septic tank
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Significant amount of sludge build up inside tank tee
Risers brought lids close to grade
View of approx. area of tank and drywell
tank
drywell
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