Where in El Paso County are homes on septic?
Septic systems serve El Paso County properties that are not connected to a municipal sewer or sanitation district. Most are in the county's unincorporated areas.
Which homes in El Paso County use septic systems?
Homes and businesses that aren't served by a municipal wastewater system. That is the group El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) regulates, and it estimates about 30,000 such onsite systems are operating in the county (retrieved 2026-10-20).
EPCPH's septic rules apply across all unincorporated areas and within municipalities in the county, except any municipality that has its own public health agency (Chapter 8, section 8.2.D). The county's master plan describes its Large-Lot Residential areas, typically lots of 2.5 acres or more, this way: they "typically rely on well and septic, but some developments may be served by central water and wastewater utilities". That wording is quoted in a county planning staff report.
Which communities does this guide cover?
Colorado Springs and the El Paso County communities listed below. All are cities, towns, census-designated places or unincorporated communities in El Paso County (county community list).
Being on this list doesn't mean every home there has a septic tank. Whether yours does depends on whether your property is connected to a sewer or sanitation district. Local notes are available for Black Forest, Falcon, Peyton and Cascade-Chipita Park.
Are homes in Monument and the Tri-Lakes area on septic?
Many aren't. The towns there are largely served by sanitation districts.
The Palmer Lake Sanitation District, the Monument Sanitation District and the Woodmoor Sanitation District jointly own the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility. Properties outside a district's service area may still use septic, so check with your district or look up your county OWTS record.
How do I check whether a specific property is on septic?
Look up the parcel's OWTS record, which EPCPH makes viewable through the El Paso County Assessor's property search, or email [email protected] if it isn't there. The EPA also suggests checking for a $0.00 sewer charge on the utility bill, a water line with no meter (which suggests a private well), or a septic access riser near the house.