New Septic Systems for Denver Properties
Replacing a failed system or installing one for a new build in Denver involves more than digging a hole for a tank. Soil testing, system design, permits and inspections all shape the final result.
A local installer can tell you which system types are likely to work on your lot and what the process looks like.
The steps of a new septic installation
Expect five stages: site and soil evaluation, system design, permit approval, construction, and inspection before the trenches are covered. Weather and permit review times affect the schedule more than the digging itself, which often takes only a few days once everything is approved.
Types of septic systems
Conventional systems use a tank and a gravity drain field and suit lots with good soil. Where soil is poor, shallow or wet, options include pressure distribution, mound systems, chamber systems, sand filters and aerobic treatment units. Your soil test and local rules decide which types are allowed on your lot.
The permit process for a new system
Installing or replacing a septic system almost always needs approval from the Denver County health department or the state agency that oversees septic systems. The usual steps are a soil evaluation, a stamped design, plan review and one or more inspections during construction. Starting without a permit can mean digging it all up again.
Understanding installation quotes
A complete quote should cover design, permits, excavation, the tank, the dispersal system, inspections and site restoration. Ask what is excluded, such as tree removal, electrical work for pumps or driveway repair. Compare quotes for the same system type.
Getting the most from your new system
Good habits protect your investment: spread out laundry, fix leaks promptly, avoid flushing wipes and grease, and pump on schedule. If your system has an alarm, learn what it means and who to call.
Before you sign
Make sure the contract lists the system type, the scope of work, permit responsibilities, the timeline, cleanup and warranty. Ask how weather or unexpected site conditions will be handled.
Planning a timeline in Denver
A realistic plan starts with the soil evaluation and design, then the permit review, then installation and inspection. Soil testing can depend on weather, and review times vary by county. Building the septic schedule into a home build or replacement plan early helps avoid delays, especially when the old system has already failed.
What to avoid on a new system near Denver
Avoid choosing an installer on price alone, starting before the permit is approved, or placing the field in a low spot that stays wet. Think about future plans for the yard, since a pool, addition or outbuilding cannot go over the field later.
New septic systems in Denver County
New and replacement systems in Denver County go through the Denver County health department, which reviews designs and inspects the work. Soil conditions change from one part of the county to another, so a design that suits a lot in Denver may differ from one in Glendale, Cherry Hills Village, Aurora. A local installer knows those differences.
What Denver's soil means for a new system
The USDA soil survey rates most mapped soils near Denver as very limited for septic absorption fields. New systems here often need a mound, pressure distribution or another engineered design, which your soil test will confirm. Denver gets about 18 inches of precipitation a year, so water table limits are less common, though your soil test still decides the design. About 3 months below freezing mean pipes and components must sit deep enough or be insulated, and installation is usually easiest outside winter.
Local conditions in Denver that affect septic installation
Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Denver, the USDA soil survey rates 73% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 25% as somewhat limited and 2% as not limited. The most common drainage class is well drained. Soils like these often call for careful system design, such as a larger drain field, a mound or another engineered system, and a site evaluation before any new installation or replacement.
Denver averages about 18 inches of precipitation a year, and May is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 3 months a year, with December averaging 30°F, so tank lids and shallow lines benefit from a layer of snow or mulch rather than being cleared bare.
Sources: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access; NASA POWER long-term climatology. Soil ratings describe mapped soil types near the city center and do not replace a site evaluation of your property.
What the soil around Denver means for septic installation
By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Denver as 79% well drained, 7% somewhat poorly drained, 7% excessively drained, 6% somewhat excessively drained, 2% moderately well drained. Most of the soil here drains reasonably well, so a conventional trench field is often possible where the lot allows, but the soil test still decides.
Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access
Septic companies near Denver
These are the septic companies in our directory closest to Denver, with straight-line distance. Call any of them directly, or send one request and we will pass it to the best match.
- Plastics Inc, Commerce City, CO, 3.9 mi
- Colorado Pumping, Golden, CO, 14.7 mi
- All Service Septic, Arvada, CO, 17.1 mi
- Gapter Septic Systems & Excavating, Erie, CO, 19.4 mi
- Douglas County Septic, Littleton, CO, 20.1 mi
- A1 Septic Service, Brighton, CO, 20.6 mi
Septic Installation in nearby towns
We also cover septic installation in these towns near Denver:
- Glendale, 5 mi
- Cherry Hills Village, 9.3 mi
- Aurora, 9.5 mi
- Commerce City, 9.5 mi
- Edgewater, 9.7 mi
- Englewood, 10 mi
About Denver, CO
Denver is in Denver County, Colorado. About 716,577 people live there, across 153.1 square miles of land (about 4,681 per square mile).
Septic Installation questions in Denver
- How long does septic installation take?
- Installation itself often takes a few days to two weeks. Soil testing, design and permit review can add several weeks, so plan ahead.
- How big does my septic tank need to be?
- Tank size is usually based on the number of bedrooms and local code. Your designer will size the tank and field for your home.
- Can a replacement system go in the same place?
- Sometimes. It depends on the condition of the soil in the old field and local rules. Many replacements use a new area of the yard.
- Is SepticTank.com the installer?
- No. SepticTank.com connects you with an independent local septic company that serves Denver. That company designs, installs and prices the system.