Drain Field (Leach Field) Repair in El Paso County
The warning signs of a failing drain field, why every leach-field repair in El Paso County needs a county permit, who may do the work, and how long drain fields last.
What are the signs of a failing drain field?
Soft, wet or spongy ground over the drain field when it hasn't rained much, sewage odors around the field, and unusually bright green grass over it are the clearest outdoor signs. Indoors, slow drains, gurgling pipes and sewage backing up into the house can all point to the same problem.
If sewage is already in the house, see what to do in a septic backup first.
The U.S. EPA's list of common signs of a failing septic system (retrieved 2026-10-24) includes:
- water and sewage from toilets, drains and sinks backing up into the home's plumbing;
- bathtubs, showers and sinks draining very slowly;
- gurgling sounds in the plumbing system;
- standing water or damp spots near or over the septic tank or drainfield;
- sewage odors around the septic tank or drainfield;
- bright green, spongy, lush grass over the septic tank or drainfield, even during dry weather;
- algae blooms in nearby lakes or waterbodies, and high levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in surface water or drinking-water wells.
On the drain field specifically, the EPA says soft, wet or spongy soil around it, "especially when there have been no significant rainfall events", is "a good indication of a system failure."
Why do drain fields fail?
Most often because of poor maintenance or a system that didn't suit the site. The EPA says skipped pumping lets solids move from the tank into the drain field and clog it.
According to the EPA, some drain fields are installed in unsuitable soils, on slopes that are too steep, or where groundwater is too high, which can cause hydraulic failure. It recommends pumping the tank at least every three to five years and being conservative with water use to reduce the load on the system.
The EPA's technology fact sheet adds that heavy equipment on the soil absorption area can compact the soil and "result in premature failure of the system."
Do I need a permit to repair a drain field in El Paso County?
Yes. El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) requires a permit before any repair to a septic system starts, and work on the drain field (the "soil treatment area") is classed as a Major Repair.
The county's Chapter 8 OWTS regulations (section 8.4.B, effective July 11, 2026; retrieved 2026-10-24) say a permit is required for "installation, alteration, modification, repair, or change of use of a system prior to commencement of work." Chapter 8 defines a Major Repair as "any repair that includes the repair, alteration or addition to the soil treatment area due to a malfunction or failure."
The only exemption covers tank baffles, electrical parts, and collapsed or damaged sewer and effluent lines repaired in the same place and configuration shown on an approved record drawing (section 8.4.B.2). It does not cover the drain field itself. If EPCPH notifies an owner that their system is failing, the owner must apply for a repair permit within two business days (Chapter 8, section 8.4.B.6).
The requirement comes from state law. Colorado's Regulation 43 (section 43.4.B.1) says that before "installing, altering, or repairing a system, the applicant must obtain a permit from the local public health agency." The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirms that counties handle permitting for systems with flows of 2,000 gallons per day or less (retrieved 2026-10-24).
Who is allowed to repair a drain field in El Paso County?
A systems contractor licensed by EPCPH, or the property owner under strict conditions. Since January 1, 2024, OWTS permit applications must be submitted by a licensed OWTS installer, according to EPCPH's Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems page (retrieved 2026-10-24).
Chapter 8 (section 8.4.F.1.a) says no one may install or repair a system without a valid systems contractor license issued by EPCPH, except an owner doing their own work.
An owner doing their own repair may not work on a system designed by a professional engineer, must show EPCPH a level of competency (which may include testing or a meeting with an Environmental Health Specialist), must complete a pre-construction meeting with EPCPH, and must pay the applicable fee (section 8.4.F.1.h).
Does a drain field repair need an engineer?
Not always. Chapter 8 requires a professional engineer for engineer-designed systems, such as sand filters and pressure distribution, and EPCPH can ask for engineering or geological information when there is evidence of poor soil conditions.
Whether a particular repair needs one depends on the system type and the site, as set out in Chapter 8 (retrieved 2026-10-24). Your licensed installer or EPCPH can tell you what applies to your property.
How long does a drain field last?
The U.S. EPA's New Homebuyer's Guide to Septic Systems (2017; retrieved 2026-10-24) puts the average lifespan of a septic system at 15 to 40 years, and says it can last longer if properly maintained. Poor maintenance shortens that considerably.
The EPA's technology fact sheet says conventional systems "are designed to operate indefinitely if properly maintained", but because most household systems are not well maintained, their functioning life "is typically 20 years or less."
El Paso County's Chapter 8 regulations do not publish a lifespan figure.
How much does a drain field repair cost in Colorado Springs?
We don't quote a figure, because we have not found a published, verifiable source for drain field repair costs in El Paso County. Ask a licensed installer for a written quote that lists the work, the county permit and any design work it includes.
EPCPH charges its own Major Repair permit fee, separate from the contractor's price, and lists it on the El Paso County Board of Health 2024 Environmental Health fee schedule (retrieved 2026-10-24). That schedule may have been updated since, so confirm the current amount with EPCPH before you apply.