Our Sewage Program consists of the following areas:

1. Inspection, by permit, of installation of residential and small commercial sewage systems up to 25,000 gallons per day in areas not served by city or municipal (sanitary) sewer systems.
2. Licensing of sewage system installers/contractors.
3. Registration and inspection of sewage tank cleaning vehicles.
4. Sewage system evaluations for real estate transfers.
5. Investigation and abatement of sewage-related nuisances.

Sewage system installation inspections are made when a home or business needs to have a new or replacement sewage system installed.  If the system is for a private residence, although the permit application process is a multi-step procedure, basically a registered sewage system contractor will submit plan specifications for the installation of a new or replacement sewage system.  After review of the information, the homeowner is notified of the available sewage system choices for the property, and once selected, a permit is issued, the system is installed, and inspections are conducted by the Health Department to assure the sewage was installed according the sewage code requirements.

If the system (up to 25,000 gallons a day) is for a business, an application must be completed and submitted with plan specifications to the Ohio EPA for review and approval.  Once approved, an installation permit is obtained from the Health Department.  During and at the completion of the installation of the system, inspections by the Health Department will be made to assure the system was installed according to the EPA-approved plans.  An annual operation permit is required from the Health Department which involves an annual inspection of the system to assure it is being properly maintained and operated.

Licensing of sewage system installers/contractors is done annually.  To be initially licensed, installers are required to take and pass an exam on the sewage code.  All installers who wish to become licensed must be bonded in the amount of $15,000, which is also renewed annually.  This bond can be used in situations where system installation issues arise between the installer and the homeowner.

Registration and inspection of sewage tank cleaning vehicles is conducted annually by the Health Department.  Companies with these vehicles perform pumping/cleaning of residential and commercial septic tanks, aeration sewage tanks, and portable toilets.  The purpose of registration and inspection is to insure that the truck, storage tank, and associated hoses/pumping equipment are in good condition and will not pose a pollution or nuisance condition when in use or in transporting sewage tank contents to disposal facilities.

Sewage system evaluation for real estate transfers.  When homeowners sell their property, many lending institutions require that the sewage system be evaluated/inspected to assure the system is functioning properly for the new buyer.  Our Health Department staff conducts dozens of these evaluations annually.  Please contact our office for the form information that needs to be completed and for the associated fee for this evaluation.

Investigation and abatement of sewage-related nuisances.  The discharge of untreated sewage to the ground surface or a ditch poses not only a pollution issue but a public health concern with disease transmission.  Our department receives dozens of calls and reports annually from private citizens and others about suspected sewage nuisances.  It is the policy of the Board of Health that a written complaint be filed with the Health Department before an investigation can be conducted. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.  Click here  for the nuisance form that needs to be completed and submitted to initiate an investigation.

Questions? Click here  for answers to some frequently asked questions.

Please contact us  with further questions about our Sewage Program.