The State of Colorado and Delta County have restrictions on burning unwanted waste materials. 

All persons conducting open burning, other than agricultural burning (as defined by the State of Colorado Air Pollution Control Division Regulation #9), are required to obtain an open burning permit from the Air Pollution Control Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Information regarding State open burning permits may be found at the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division website. 

An application for a permit may be submitted by e-mail to: cdphe.apopenburning@state.co.us, or you can print out the application and submit it by fax to the Air Pollution Control Division at (303) 782-0278. For more information, call (970) 874-2165. 

If you are planning to conduct any open burning, you must first contact the Delta County Dispatch (399-2955) on the day you plan to conduct the burn. (Details…) 

The burning of household trash and other dense smoke-producing materials is prohibited in Delta County. The Delta County Environmental Health Division enforces the Delta County Open Burning Regulations. 

Reporting violations:

Call the 24-hour indoor burning hotline: 303-692-3280

If the state has jurisdiction, they'll contact the suspected violator. If a local municipality has jurisdiction, they'll pass along the information you report to us and we will follow up on the complaint.

Links 

• Open Burning Algorithm, a guide to know what, when, and where you can burn
• Agricultural and Open Burning information 
• Open Burning Permit Application, for submission to Delta County Environmental Health
• State of Colorado Air Pollution Control Division Regulation Open Burning
• Colorado Open Burning Fact Sheet

Water is an extremely valuable natural resource of Delta County. Delta County Environmental Health program partners with private and local, state, and federal entities to maintain and improve water quantity and quality in the County. The Delta Board of County Commissioners is dedicated to preserving the quality and quantity of the water resources of Delta County and has therefore entered into a long-term research project to study the hydrology and science of water in the County. 

If you are interested in learning more about getting a permit for a new well- contact the Colorado Division of Water Resources first! New wells, and those in submitting subdivision applications will need to submit water sample reports to Environmental Health. 

 
Water Planning 
A Delta County groundwater planning area map was created to classify groundwater resources. 

GIS-Based Hydrological and Environmental Systems Analysis (HESA) studies 
Phase l - Oak Mesa Report, Oak Mesa Presentation
Phase 2 - North Fork Report, North Fork-Gunnison River Presentation, North Fork-Terraces Presentation
Phase 3 – Surface Creek 
Phase 4 – Uncompahgre River Valley 
Colorado Water Data Sharing Network
Rogers Mesa Groundwater Report

Rainwater Collection in Colorado- Can I capture rainwater?

Quick Facts:

• Most homeowners in Colorado are now allowed to use rain barrels to collect rainwater.
• A maximum of two rain barrels with a combined storage of 110 gallons or less are allowed at each household.
• Collected rainwater may be used to irrigate outdoor lawns, plants or gardens.
• Untreated rainwater collected from roofs is not safe to drink

The purpose of this factsheet is to provide information about the regulatory and health aspects of rainwater collection in Colorado. The information provided in this factsheet is based primarily on language in Colorado House Bill 16-1005 and is intended to inform citizens on how to properly use rain barrels in accordance with Colorado law.

• CSU Extension- Rainwater Collection in Colorado

What about Graywater?

At this time "Graywater" systems are NOT allowed in Delta County. All wastewater must enter a septic or sewer system. Runoff from storm drains, french drains, etc. is not allowed in septic systems. For more information on greywater in Colorado, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/water-quality/clean-water/graywater or download our Graywater FAQ's at Delta County Graywater FAQ's

Colorado Water Quality Control
The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission is the administrative agency responsible for developing specific state water quality policies of the State of Colorado Water Quality Control Act. The Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regulates and implements the standards for surface and ground waters of the state set forth by the Commission and State Legislature. 

• Questions about Foam? It is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Click here to find out more: https://www.deltacounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/12957..
• Concerned about Blue-green (Toxic) Algae? Visit the CDPHE site for more information at: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/toxic-algae

Colorado Division of Water Resources 
The Colorado Division of Water Resources (Office of the State Engineer) is an agency within the Department of Natural Resources providing administration of Colorado's water resources to meet the demands of today, and to provide for the needs of tomorrow. The agency works on basin of origin issues, issues involving federally-reserved water rights, wetlands, and endangered species recovery, as well as interstate water issues. To look up a well permit, click here: https://maps.dnrgis.state.co.us/dwr/Index.html?viewer=dwrwellpermit

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Division 
The USGS has been studying our nation's water resources for the last century. Their webpage can give you historical, periodic, and real-time information on many of the streams and rivers in the United States. They also have many water-related studies and reports available for viewing. 

Selenium Management
Multiple efforts to address elevated selenium concentrations in the Lower Gunnison and Colorado Rivers with Colorado are ongoing.  
The most active effort is related to the Selenium Management Program (SMP) facilitated by the US Bureau of Reclamation.  More information can be found on the Gunnison River Basin website.

Public Drinking Water

Safe clean drinking water is one of the foundation stones for a healthy community. Large community and small non-community systems serving such places as towns, drinking water systems, pipelines, summer camps, restaurants, campgrounds, and motels in Delta County are inspected and regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division Drinking Water Program. 

If you are interested in learning more about getting a permit for a new well- contact the Colorado Division of Water Resources first!

For more information, visit the US Environmental Protection Agency Colorado Drinking Water information site.

Private Drinking Water

We do not regulate the water quality for private water wells (they are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act). Only those that meet the definition of a Public Water System are regulated. You can order water tests through the state health department by clicking on the links below:

• Well permits are issued by the Division of Water Resources.
• Testing your water.
• Well water and your health, and well data.
• Shock chlorinating a well video.
• State Price list for water tests.

For more on testing your water go to: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/laboratory-services/water-testing/homeowner-water-testing

Private drinking water sources are supplied from groundwater wells or springs.  The quality and safety of the water supplied from these sources vary greatly depending on geology, aquifer depth, well construction, spring collection, and other factors.  The West Central Public Health Partnership has gathered groundwater quality data from private drinking water samples collected in the Region 10 Counties through a Safe Watch grant from the Centers of Disease Control.  This grant has ended (September 2020) and samples can no longer be submitted, however maps of water quality from groundwater wells and spring water compared to drinking water standards in Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties can be found here: Safe Watch results dashboard.

Private well water quality is not regulated, so providing safe drinking water from a private well is the responsibility of the well owner. Two helpful publications are:

• “Protecting Your Private Well”, published by Colorado State University Extension.

• “Drinking Water from Household Wells”, from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 

These publications address the following topics:

• Groundwater quality and potential contaminants

• Naturally occurring sources of pollution

• Installing a new well

• Well location and setbacks

• How to protect your ground water supply

• Well construction and maintenance

• Abandoned wells

• Water testing

• Interpreting your water test result

• FAQs about well water quality

Treatment Systems

It is possible to check your private drinking water to determine if it is safe for drinking. Bacteriologic testing sample containers are available at the Delta County Environmental Health Division offices to sample your water for bacteriological contamination. Samples will be sent to the Grand Junction Regional Laboratory for testing. 

Western Slope Laboratories Certified to Test Drinking Water

Enviro-Chem Analytical

685 West Gunnison Avenue

Suite 108

Grand Junction, CO

970-242-6154

City of Gunnison Wastewater Treatment Plant

524 County Road 32

Gunnison, CO

970-641-8042

Mesa County Health Department Regional Laboratory

• Request for Analytical Services form
• Collection Procedure- Coliform Sample
  

510 29.5 Road

Grand Junction, CO

970-248-6999

RADON

Radon is an odorless, colorless, and radioactive gas that forms through the natural breaking down of uranium in soil, water and rocks. . Colorado is known as Zone 1 when it comes to the presence of high radon gas levels. Nearly 73% (that is every 3 out of 4 homes) of all homes in Colorado have high levels of the gas.

Testing and migation resource in and around Delta County can be found at: https://nrpp.info/pro-search/?z=81416

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get a radon test kit?

Thank you for your interest in a radon kit through Delta County Environmental Health. Kits are available at the health department for free as long as supplies last all year long. You can pick one up at 255 West 6th Street in Delta, or order a discounted test kit online sosradon.org.

What are the costs for the test kits?

The radon test kits are free and include postage and analysis, while supplies last.

Where should I put the test kit?

The test kit should be placed in the lowest occupied level (typically a basement) and in the normal breathing zone (about 2-6 ft. from the floor) and 3 ft. from windows, doors, vents or anything that allows airflow.

How long do I use the test kit?

The test kit is a short-term test, about 3-7 days. We recommend having the kit out for about 4 days to allow for mailing time. Depending on the contact info you provide to the lab, the test results should be returned within 8 days. If the test kit is not analyzed within 11 days of opening, no test result can be provided.

Remodeling, Renovating or Demolishing? 

You may be subject to State and Federal Regulations requiring an inspection for asbestos. Avoid penalties and delays: If you are impacting greater than the trigger levels of suspect asbestos-containing materials (“ACM”) – you must have your project inspected for ACM by a Colorado-certified asbestos building inspector before commencing work.

• CDPHE FAQ'S regarding Asbestos and renovation or demolition
• NOTIFICATION application-DEMOLITION
• ABATEMENT PERMIT application. Click here for the Word Version of the renovation abatement form.
• General Information on Asbestos
• Who can do testing? The state maintains a list of certified testing and abatement contractors on their website: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/indoor-air-quality/asbestos

For ALL Renovation Projects:

• Buildings of any age may contain ACM; even those newly built may have ACM.
• Inspection: If the structures/components to be disturbed exceed the trigger levels, they must be inspected for asbestos by a Colorado-certified asbestos building inspector, unless the building was built after October 12, 1988, AND the architect or engineer who built it signs and submits documentation showing that no ACM was specified or used in the construction of the building – then no inspection is needed. Asbestos Consulting Firms and asbestos building inspectors can be found in the yellow pages of most telephone books under the heading “Asbestos Consulting and Testing” or go to our web site for a current list: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/asbestos.
• If the amount of ACM to be disturbed exceeds the following trigger levels, then an asbestos abatement contractor must remove the material:
  • Single-Family Residential Dwellings (“SFRD”) - the trigger levels are: 50 linear feet on pipes; 32 square feet on other surfaces; or the volume equivalent of a 55-gallon drum.
  • Public and Commercial Buildings (other than SFRDs) - the trigger levels are: 260 linear feet on pipes; 160 square feet on other surfaces; or the volume equivalent of a 55-gallon drum.
• Notification: A written application to CDPHE for a notice/permit may be required, along with payment of a fee and a ten (10) working-day notification period (emergencies may be excluded) before the removal (abatement) of regulated asbestos-containing materials. ALL ACM waste must be disposed of at an approved asbestos waste disposal site – regardless of the quantity or the necessity for a notice/permit.

For ALL Demolition Projects:

• Inspection: the building or area of the building to be demolished must be inspected for asbestos by a Colorado-certified asbestos inspector. Asbestos Consulting Firms and asbestos building inspectors can be found in the yellow pages of most telephone books under the heading “Asbestos Consulting and Testing” or go to our website for a current list:
• Asbestos Removal (if necessary) may have to be performed by a Colorado-certified GAC. Removal, in accordance with Regulation No. 8, Part B, is required if the amount of asbestos-containing material that is friable or will become friable during demolition exceeds the trigger levels.
• A Demolition Notification Application Form must be submitted to the CDPHE, even if no asbestos was found during the inspection, along with payment of a notification fee and a ten (10) working-day notification period that is required before the demolition can commence.