Buying land or a home outside town in Jackson Hole often means taking care of your own water and wastewater. It can feel complex the first time you hear about well permits, septic setbacks, and testing schedules. The good news is that clear rules and local resources make it manageable. In this guide, you’ll learn how wells, septic systems, and permits work in Teton County, what to check during due diligence, and how to plan with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Rural vs public utilities in Jackson Hole
Some properties inside the Town of Jackson or a utility district connect to public water and sewer. Many rural parcels rely on private wells and onsite septic systems. If you’re near Teton Village or similar districts, connection to public systems may be required and septic may be prohibited. Always confirm service boundaries before you budget or design.
Private wells: what to know
Permits and siting basics
Before drilling a domestic well, you must apply to the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office for a U.W.5 well permit and use licensed contractors for drilling and pump work. Review the State Engineer’s general process for permits and construction standards to set expectations and timelines. Minimum separation from septic features matters for health and water quality.
Key spacing examples many sites follow: at least 50 feet from a septic tank to a well and 100 feet from a leach field to a well. These are minimums and can increase with local conditions or public supply protections.
- Learn the permit process: Wyoming State Engineer’s Office general processes
- Search permits and well records: SEO Ground Water and e-Permit
Find existing well records
Historic well permits, driller’s logs, and pump records are valuable during due diligence. Start with the State Engineer’s e-Permit database. If you do not find digital records, contact the SEO Ground Water Division for help.
Water quality and local testing
Do not assume any private well is potable without current lab results. Local partners make testing easy. The Teton Conservation District offers comprehensive well test kits that cover bacteria and chemistry, and Teton County’s water lab provides bacteriological testing. National guidance recommends testing at least once a year for total coliform, E. coli, nitrates, pH, and TDS, with added metals or VOCs when risk factors exist.
- Order kits locally: Teton Conservation District well test kits
- Schedule lab screening: Teton County Water Lab
- See testing recommendations: CDC well water testing guidelines
Maintain and close wells correctly
Inspect caps and casings, protect the area from runoff, and winterize pumps and pump houses for Jackson Hole’s cold season. If a well is taken out of service, Wyoming rules require proper plugging and notification to protect aquifers. Keep documentation of maintenance and any abandonment work with your property records.
Septic systems: rules and options
Who permits and how it works
Wyoming’s Department of Environmental Quality sets statewide standards for small wastewater systems, and Teton County administers local permitting. You submit septic permits through the county’s Small Wastewater Facility portal. Lenders often require a septic evaluation during financing, so current records and recent pump or inspection receipts help you stay on schedule.
- Read the DEQ rules overview: Wyoming DEQ small wastewater standards
- Apply or check records: Teton County Small Wastewater Facility portal
Setbacks and site limits
Minimum setbacks protect wells and surface water. Expect at least 50 feet from surface water to an absorption area, 50 feet from a well to a septic tank, and 100 feet from a well to an absorption field. Every new or replacement system begins with a site evaluation that looks at soils, percolation, and seasonal high groundwater. Where soils are shallow or water is high, you may need an engineered solution.
System types you’ll see
- Conventional septic tank with gravity leach field where soils and separation allow.
- Mound systems or engineered sand fill where restrictive layers or high groundwater exist.
- Advanced treatment units for sites that cannot meet standards with a conventional approach. These often require service contracts and periodic inspections.
Care, costs, and pumping
You are responsible for operation and maintenance. Plan inspections every 1 to 3 years and pumping every 3 to 5 years, more often with heavy use or smaller tanks. Replacement costs vary widely and can reach into the tens of thousands depending on design and site. Routine care extends system life and protects groundwater.
- Homeowner care guidance: EPA septic system care
Due diligence checklist for buyers and sellers
Use this list to streamline transactions and reduce surprises:
Wells
- Pull the U.W.5 permit, driller’s log, and any pump installation records. Start with the SEO Ground Water e-Permit search.
- Order current water tests. Use the Teton Conservation District well kits and the Teton County Water Lab.
- Verify who holds the water right and contact the State Engineer before altering or deepening a well.
Septic
- Retrieve the septic permit, as-built, and pumping or inspection records. Check county records in SmartGov and the Small Wastewater Facility portal.
- Confirm design capacity, replacement area, and any O&M obligations for advanced systems.
- If soils are tight or groundwater is high, budget extra time and cost for engineered designs under DEQ standards.
Jackson Hole site and climate tips
Frost depth is about 34 inches locally, so plan frost protection for tanks, lines, and pump houses. Many parcels sit near creeks, springs, or wetlands, which can tighten setback requirements and influence system selection. In septic-dense areas, check local mapping and studies to understand how groundwater moves across the valley. When in doubt, design conservatively and document everything.
- Explore local mapping: Teton Conservation District septic and sewer map
Permitting timelines and fees
Expect timelines to vary with season and project complexity. Submittals run through SmartGov for building and the county’s septic portal for wastewater. Plan ahead for reviews and inspections, and avoid covering or backfilling any system components until approvals are complete. Keeping a clean file of permits, as-builts, and lab results helps you close smoothly.
Ready to move from research to results on your Jackson Hole property? For curated guidance on rural parcels, build sites, and project-level planning, connect with Cindee George.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to drill a private well in Teton County?
- Yes. You must apply to the State Engineer for a U.W.5 well permit and use licensed contractors for drilling and pump installation. Start with the SEO general process.
How often should I test private well water in Jackson Hole?
- Test at least once a year for coliform bacteria, E. coli, and nitrates, and add chemistry as needed. Use local resources like the Teton County Water Lab and follow the CDC testing guidelines.
What septic setbacks apply on rural land in Teton County?
- Wyoming DEQ minimums often used locally include 50 feet from surface water to an absorption area, 50 feet from a well to a septic tank, and 100 feet from a well to an absorption field. See the DEQ small wastewater standards.
How do I find my property’s septic and well permits?
- Search Teton County permits in SmartGov and septic records in the Small Wastewater Facility portal. For wells, use the SEO Ground Water e-Permit search.
What if my lot has high groundwater or shallow soils?
- You may need engineered solutions like mounds or advanced treatment to meet DEQ standards. Plan for a formal site evaluation and allow extra time for design and review under the DEQ rules.
How should I care for my septic system to avoid costly repairs?
- Inspect every 1 to 3 years and pump every 3 to 5 years, adjusting for usage. Follow homeowner best practices outlined in the EPA septic care guide.
