A remote Mineral County parcel often means a well and a septic system

Outside the town of Creede, many homes in Mineral County are not on town water and sewer. They often rely instead on a private well for water and an on-site septic system, called an OWTS, for wastewater. Both are common in the mountains, and both come with rules.

A well is not a guarantee of unlimited water. It is permitted by the state, and the permit sets what the well may be used for, such as household use only versus watering livestock or a large garden. Before you count on a parcel’s water, confirm the well permit and what it allows.

A septic system has its own checklist. On-site systems follow state rules set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the permits and inspections are handled at the local level. A system needs to be sized, sited, and maintained for the soil and the property. An older or failing system can be a real expense, so a buyer usually wants it inspected.

For a rural Mineral County property, treat the well and the septic as two separate questions. Confirm the well permit with the Colorado Division of Water Resources, check the state septic rules with CDPHE, and ask the local permitting office listed on Mineral County’s official website who handles septic permits and inspections for the county.