One of the submittal requirements for application for a building permit is evidence of a potable water supply to the property. Typically this evidence is provided in the form of a water tap contract or recent water bill from a public entity; or a well construction and test report, a pump installation report or other evidence of an existing well. In some rare cases, however, none of the above options are viable and so, under certain circumstances, a cistern may be accepted as a primary water supply.
A cistern as a primary water supply will only be permitted on parcels of land which were legally created prior to June 1, 1972 and on parcels which are thirty-five (35) acres or larger. A cistern as a primary water supply will only be permitted after all other options for water have been exhausted without success. If you are proposing a cistern as your primary water source, it will be necessary for you to provide the following documentation to the building department:
- Evidence that the subject property was created prior to June 1, 1972; or evidence that the subject property is 35 acres or larger.
- An executed form letter concerning the use of bulk water and a cistern. The form letter may be obtained, signed, and notarized at the Building Department. It may be downloaded below.
- A written disapproval of a well permit application from the Colorado Division of Water Resources; or a Well Construction and Test Report, Pump Installation Report, Driller’s Log or other such documentation indicating a dry well drilled to a minimum depth of six hundred (600) feet; or written statements from two independent Colorado licensed well drillers complying with section 107.1.1 item #4(C) of the Building Code of Fremont County as amended.
Fremont County provides no assurance or representation that the use of bulk water and a cistern will be an approved or acceptable long-term source of potable water.
THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT BULK WATER WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND FREMONT COUNTY HAS NO AUTHORITY OR JURISDICTION WHATSOEVER OVER WATER SUPPLIERS OR THEIR DECISION TO SELL WATER IN BULK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
