The starting point
A failed perc test does not identify one automatic replacement system. A site evaluator and designer need to establish what limits the property, whether a compliant soil treatment area can fit, and which options Teller County can approve.
What did the soil evaluation actually find?
Ask for the written report, profile logs and location of the tested area. Slow absorption, shallow bedrock, evidence of seasonal groundwater and limited room for setbacks are different problems. The solution must address the conditions at the proposed treatment area.
An older description that a lot “failed perc” is not enough to price an installation. Confirm the proposed bedroom count, whether the previous evaluation still applies, and whether the house, well or driveway layout has changed.
What an engineered septic system can change
| Design question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does wastewater need additional treatment? | A designer may evaluate an advanced treatment unit or another accepted treatment method. Treatment equipment does not eliminate the need for a suitable approved dispersal area. |
| How will effluent reach the treatment area? | Elevation differences and distribution requirements can introduce a pump tank, controls, electrical work and pressure distribution. |
| Can the required treatment area fit? | The design must account for soil limitations, separation distances and the site layout. An ATU does not automatically make every lot buildable. |
| What will the owner need to maintain? | Ask about service requirements, alarms, power use and access for future maintenance before choosing an option. |
Use the designer’s comparison to understand what each option solves. A smaller footprint alone is not enough to choose a system.
From difficult soil to an installation scope
- Gather the site recordsBring the address or parcel number, soil report, prior county correspondence and proposed home layout.
- Confirm the design pathHave the site evaluator and septic designer explain the limiting conditions and feasible options.
- Resolve county requirementsUse Teller County Environmental Health’s current OWTS information and application process. Confirm requirements before scheduling installation.
- Price the approved scopeSeparate tanks and treatment equipment, excavation, dispersal area, electrical work, delivery and restoration.
- Install and documentCoordinate installation and required inspections with the design and permitting process; keep the final records for future use.
What changes the cost on a difficult site?
Rock excavation, imported treatment media, additional tanks, pumping equipment, restricted delivery access and electrical work can each change the budget. Engineering and evaluation costs may be separate from the installer’s price.
For an early number, use Septic IQ and attach the report if you have one. Once you have engineered plans, use the plan-based route so the estimate can respond to the actual components and layout.
Questions before you start
Does a failed perc test mean I cannot build?
Not by itself. It means the findings need to be evaluated against a complete site and soil assessment and the applicable requirements. Some sites have compliant options; others may not.
Will an ATU solve poor soil?
An ATU treats wastewater before dispersal. Whether it helps a particular property depends on the design criteria, soil and site limitations, and local approval.
Can I get an estimate before engineering?
Yes. Septic IQ Early Budget provides a planning starting point. Engineered plans and confirmed field conditions allow a more specific installation estimate.
Planning resources
- Teller County Environmental Health: septic resources and applications
- Colorado OWTS program and Regulation 43 resources
Resources checked September 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements for the property before work begins.