Sewer & Septic Tanks

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HOW IS OUR WASTEWATER TREATED?

Most homes in Algonquin Acres are on septic systems.  The four most northen homes in Algonquin Acres and homes in the Valley Country Club Estates have sewer service through a contract with the Arapahoe County Water and Waste Water Authority (ACWWA).   Sewer charges set by ACWWA and billed to the District on a master meter.  See the Billing & Rates for more about charges.

SEPTIC TANK REGULATIONS AND CARE

WHAT TO NOT PUT DOWN THE DRAIN AT HOME  

• NO food grease:  Collect cooking oils, lard, meet fats, butter and dairy fats and throw them in the trash.  

• Do not flush diaper wipes, wet-whips or personal hygene products down the toilet.  These items will eventually clog your home lines causing potentially costly back-ups.  They can also contribute to sewer system line clogs that can impact many homes and cause costly cleaning and repairs for the District.   It is a myth that hot water, soaps or the dishwasher will “dissolve” grease into a harmless state.

• NO pharmaceuticals:  There is growing concern about “emerging contaminates” in surface water and alluvial (shallow renewable) ground water supplies originating from pharmaceuticals both dumped down drains and from human/animal waste.   If you have unused our outdated medicines, mix them with wet coffee grounds (a neutralizer and absorbent) in a secure non-leaking container/bag/jar and throw them in the trash.  Landfills take precautionary steps to prevent waste from leaching into water supplies.  Some pharmacies will take back unwanted pharmaceuticals for proper disposal. 

WHAT TO NOT PUT DOWN THE DRAIN AT HOME  (cont.)

• NO petroleum based products or chemicals not intended for household cleaning use.  This includes gasoline, diesel or other fuels, petroleum or silicone based lubricants or solvents or glycol type products like anti-freeze.  These can do significant system and environmental damage.  

• NO items like baby or disinfect wipes, diapers, cleaning pads, paper towels, napkins, dental floss.  These do NOT breakdown and will clog either your home’s pipes or the sewer system pipes.

• NO paints or solvents.  Wash paint brushes out in a bucket and dump over turf areas or wash with the hose over turf areas.  Paints can contain harmful chemicals and clog lines.

• NO RV waste disposal.   Use approved RV waste disposal services.   This can overwhelm residential septic systems and sewer lines and result in backups into homes.  Avoid all “gunky” things.   It is best to collect and throw away food preparation items like potato and similar peelings, coffee grounds and food waste in general, even if you have a garbage disposal.   It is a myth that the garbage disposal grinds these items into a harmless mix.  Over time, excessive garbage will accumulate and clog pipes.   Such waste can also reduce the life of a septic system and require more frequent pumping.    .