Signs Your Septic System Needs Service
Backups, slow drains, gurgling, odors, soggy ground or unusually green grass over the drainfield. Here is what each sign means, and when a repair needs an El Paso County permit.
What are the signs a septic system needs service?
The most common signs are sewage backing up into the house, sinks and tubs draining slowly, and gurgling in the plumbing. Outside, look for standing water or damp spots over the tank or drainfield, sewage odors, and bright green, spongy grass over the drainfield even in dry weather.
The U.S. EPA's full list of failure signs (retrieved 2026-10-20) is:
- 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;
- a straight pipe discharging untreated wastewater onto the ground;
- algae blooms in nearby lakes or other water;
- high levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in surface water or drinking-water wells.
If sewage is backing up into the house right now, see what to do in an emergency septic backup.
Does a septic smell always mean the system is failing?
No. The EPA explains that odors can come from the roof vent, which is a normal part of the system. Smells also happen when a vent is clogged with leaves or debris, frozen during a long cold spell, or caught in a down draft.
Soft, wet or spongy soil around the drainfield when there has been no significant rain is a stronger sign of failure. The EPA says an odor can't be diagnosed remotely, and recommends having a local septic service provider or plumber look at it.
What happens if a pumper finds a problem with your system?
They have to tell the county. Under El Paso County's Chapter 8 (section 8.4.F.2.d), a licensed systems cleaner must notify El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) in writing within 7 days if a system is malfunctioning or failing when they service it.
Missing or damaged outlet tees or baffles must be reported in writing to both the owner and EPCPH within 7 days, under the same Chapter 8 section.
Chapter 8 defines a "malfunction" as a component that is not performing as designed or installed and needs repair or adjustment (section 8.3).
Does a septic repair need a permit in El Paso County?
Yes. Chapter 8 (section 8.4.B.1) requires a permit before work starts for any installation, alteration, modification, repair or change of use of a system.
Since January 1, 2024, EPCPH requires permit applications to be submitted by a licensed OWTS installer (retrieved 2026-10-20).
A "major repair" is one that repairs, alters or adds to the soil treatment area (the drainfield) because of a malfunction or failure (section 8.3). The county's posted fee schedule (revised January 2025; retrieved 2026-10-20) lists these permit fees:
| Permit | Fee as listed |
|---|---|
| Minor repair permit | $554.00 (with surcharges: $577) |
| Major repair permit | $891.00 (with surcharges: $914) |
| New system permit | $961.00 (with surcharges: $1,131) |
These are the county's own permit fees. They don't include the contractor's price for the work, which we have no published source for. Confirm the current fees with EPCPH before you apply.
What should you check after a wildfire?
EPCPH's wildfire guidance says to check for four kinds of damage: heat damage to above-ground plastic piping, scorched or damaged raised systems, damaged piping where it enters the house, and drainfield soil disturbed by heavy vehicles such as firefighting equipment.
If the system is damaged, backing up or malfunctioning, the guidance says to stop using it and contact EPCPH's Environmental Health Division for instructions on repair.
When is a septic system near the end of its life?
Often at 25 to 30 years for the drainfield. The EPA says that at that age the biomat in the trenches can thicken until wastewater ponds, surfaces, or backs up into the tank and the house.
It advises owners of systems that old to plan an upgrade before an emergency.
Is there financial help for septic repairs?
For some rural owners, yes. The EPA points to the USDA Single-Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Program.
It offers low-interest loans to repair rural homes, and grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards, including septic systems. The EPA lists the maximums as a $20,000 loan and a $7,500 grant. Eligibility rules are USDA's, so check with USDA directly.