Septic Systems

Anyone who wishes to install, construct, alter, or repair an on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) in La Plata or San Juan counties is required to first obtain a permit.  

• OWTS Permit Application
• OWTS Permit Guidance

Please note: submitting an application for the installation of an OWTS does not guarantee a permit on marginal lots; marginal lots may be small in acreage, contain steep slopes, shallow bedrock, shallow groundwater or not meet Setback Requirements (PDF).

Registered Soil Technicians

OWTS that will serve commercial properties or multifamily dwellings, and all OWTS located on unsuitable soil, high groundwater, high bedrock, or steep slopes must be designed by a professional engineer. On other sites, anyone may submit a design following a Site and Soil Evaluation, which determines if any of these conditions are present. Site and Soil Evaluations must be performed by Registered Soil Technicians. If you have the necessary qualifications to perform soil evaluations and wish to be added to the registry of Soil Technicians, contact La Plata County Public Health at 970-828-8810.

Registered Soil Technicians (PDF)

Licensed Contractors

Updated July 2023

Regulations require that all OWTS be installed by a currently-licensed System Contractor and that the Contractor possess the permit to construct, alter or repair the OWTS, signed by La Plata County Public Health, prior to breaking ground. Note: Contractor licenses expire on December 31 and may not have been immediately renewed. Confirm with your contractor that their license is current for the current year.

Licensed Contractors (PDF)

Income-Based Fee Waiver

Permit application fees may be waived for property owners who qualify based on income, and for nonprofits whose mission is substantially connected to housing affordability or stability. Permit application fee waivers are only granted to property owners who are applying for an OWTS permit on the property they own. Public Health does not accept speculative fee waiver requests or requests from developers or contractors on behalf of a property owner.

If you are a nonprofit organization, fill out the form above, leaving the income sections blank, and provide a copy of your mission statement (or equivalent) and confirmation of your nonprofit status in lieu of income verification.

Instructions and Application for Income-Based Fee Waiver (PDF)

The La Plata County Public Health Department (LPCPHD) is partnering with San Juan County Public Health (SJCPH) to provide OWTS services through a service order.

LPCPHD will be responsible for the following:

• Receiving Applications and Designs - Please use the SJCPH OWTS application. See the "Need to submit paperwork to the OWTS team" section on this page for more information. 
• Inspecting Permitted Construction - Please email us to schedule inspections.

SJCPH will be responsible for the following:

• Receiving Fees - Fees for SJCPH permits are the same as LPCPHD permits and are listed on the application. Payment can made:
  • In person at SJCPH: 1315 Snowden St, Silverton, CO 81433
  • Via check payable to San Juan County by mail: PO Box 619, Silverton, CO 81433. Please put "OWTS Permit" in the memo line. 
• Signing Off on Permits and Finalized Permits - LPCPHD will make recommendations to SJCPH for signing off on permits after reviews and inspections. 

Contractors licensed with LPCPHD are approved to do OWTS work in San Juan County.

Anyone intending to install an OWTS must obtain a license from Public Health. Individuals without a license who wish to be licensed must take the contractors class. La Plata County Public Health will offer the System Contractors Class several times throughout the year. If you held a license from San Juan Basin Public Health in 2023, your license has automatically been renewed at no cost for 2024 for work in La Plata County. If you had a license in 2022 or earlier, but did not have a 2023 license, you must attend the class and pay required fees to obtain a license in 2024.

2024 Class Dates:
Thursday, February 22
Thursday, March 28
Thursday, April 18
Thursday, May 30
Thursday, July 25
Thursday, September 26
Wednesday, October 30

Classes will be held in person with the option of joining via Zoom from 9 AM - 2 PM. Class attendees will be given the option to complete the test during the scheduled time. The in-person class will be held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds in the Lightner Room. 

Attendees can sign up and pay for a class via our online portal or by visiting our office at 281 Sawyer Drive, Ste 300, Durango, CO 81303. Please note that class registration closes at 5 PM two days prior to the scheduled class. The sign up link will not be available from 5 PM two days prior to a scheduled class to after the class is done.

If you plan to work in additional counties in 2024, contact that county directly for their licensing requirements. 

Licenses expire at the end of the calendar year.

• Licensed Contractors
• Installation Basics
• Las Bases de la Instalacion de Sistemas Septicos
• Registered Soil Technicians
• OWTS Design Guidance

Licensed Cleaners

The following companies were licensed to clean septic tanks and haul septage by San Juan Basin Public Health in 2023 and have had their licenses extended for 2024.

• Alpine Septic Service (Pagosa Springs)
• Ball Septic Tank Service (Durango)
• Durango Septic (Durango)
• Mountain Septic (Durango)
• Rocky Mountain Sanitation (Pagosa Springs)
• Southwest Septic (Mancos)
• Superior Septic Services (Durango)

• (Preferred) Open the form in Adobe Acrobat, fill out the form and sign it digitally using the Acrobat "Fill and Sign" tool. Save a PDF copy and submit via email the name of the form and address of the property in the subject line.
• Print the form, fill it out by hand, then scan your completed and signed form, and email the scanned PDF file with the name of the form and the address of the property in the subject line.
• Submit the completed, signed form in person our office located at:
  • 281 Sawyer Drive, Ste 300, Durango, CO  81303

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• Mail or ship the completed, signed form to:

• Pay online with credit card or e-check. Select Onsite Wastewater in the Payment for field, write the name of the form in the Description field, and write the address of the property in the Invoice Number/Customer Name field.

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• Pay in person or send a check! Write the name of the form and property address on the memo line and send to: