Approved onsite wastewater systems: Onsite wastewater systems (septic systems) that have received a permit and final approval from BCPH.

Bacteria: Single microorganisms that are found in every environment on earth. While most bacteria are rendered harmless by human immune systems some can cause disease (Pathogenic)

BCPH: Boulder County Public Health.

Blackwater: The portion of the wastewater stream that originates from toilet fixtures.

Contamination: The release of environmental pollutants.

E. coli: Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a bacteria that is found in the intestinal tracts of mammals and, along with other kinds of bacteria, helps with the digestion of food. E. coli is an indicator of the possibility that harmful agents may be present.

Effluent: The combination of the liquid portions of sewage, water, or other liquids flowing out of a septic system.

EPA: The United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Fecal: Relating to the waste (feces) produced from the digestive tract.

Greywater: Water captured from all sinks, showers, baths, spa baths, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs. (Fact Sheet PDF)

High-risk areas: Areas that are identified based on a risk analysis utilizing the following criteria: density of onsite wastewater systems, age of onsite wastewater systems, number of onsite wastewater systems that are unapproved, use of private drinking water supplies (wells), proximity to groundwater, proximity to surface water, soil type, and slope. Areas with the greatest concern for these risk factors have been identified as high risk.

Inspector: A professional that has been trained and certified to perform inspections of septic systems. Inspector List (PDF)

Installer: A professional that has been certified to install or repair septic systems

Microorganism: A living single cell that is too small for the human eye to see.

Nitrate: An oxidized salt compound made up of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrate is a waste byproduct that is commonly found in wastewater.

OWS: An onsite wastewater system, commonly referred to as a septic system. An absorption or dispersal system of any size or flow or a system or facility for collecting, storing, treating, neutralizing, stabilizing, or disposing of domestic-type sewage which is not part of, or connected to, a sewage treatment works.

Pathogenic: Diseasecausing.

Sewage: untreated wastes from toilets, baths, sinks, lavatories, laundries, and other plumbing fixtures in places of human habitation, employment, or recreation consisting of blackwater and greywater.

Soil Absorption: Process by which other substances are physically taken into soil particles.

Unapproved onsite wastewater systems (OWS): An onsite wastewater system that does not have a permit that has received final approval by BCPH. These systems do not have documentation to offer assurance that sewage is being adequately treated. This also includes systems that were never permitted prior to installation.

Wastewater: Any combination of clear water wastes, stormwater wastes, industrial wastes, or sewage (domestic or commercial), that is carried by water.

Waterborne illness: Diseases that are spread through the consumption of contaminated water.

Watershed: The specific land area that drains water into a river system or other body of water.
 

If you own and operate a septic system, you can help to protect our water by properly maintaining an approved system. Check your system today at: www.SepticSmart.org/check.

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