Defiance County Public HealthSewage Operation & Maintenance Program

Top three things you need to know

• State Mandated - Operation Permits are required under Ohio law.• Every health district must have and operation and maintenance program.

• Every health district in the area is in the process of adopting local regulations.

• Its inexpensive! - compared to public sewers and treatment plants.• Sewers cost $600 to $1200 per home per year.

• The cost of maintaining a septic system will run around $100 per year.

• The proposed regulations do not require people to replace their existing systems, that are in good working order with new systems.• If there is a problem, the law encourages repair over replacement.

People are saying I’ll have to replace my system because its old.

• Incorrect – the only time a replacement is needed is if:• The system is causing a public health nuisance. Just because a system is old

does not mean it is creating a nuisance. • If a new home is constructed. Then the system must meet certain

requirements under rules. This is considered on a case by case basis.

• What happens when a tank has collapsed?• In most cases this would only require the replacement of the tank. The health

district will evaluate on a case by case basis.

• Where can people get money to repair their septic system?• The district offers WPCLF funding for families up to 300% of poverty level.• Maumee Valley Planning has CHIP funding.

Overview

• Understanding your Septic System

• Proper Septic System Maintenance

• Operation and Maintenance Program• State Law

• County Program

• Role of Public Health and Homeowner

What is a septic system?

• A septic system is used to treat and dispose of human waste.• It is a part of Ohio’s rural infrastructure. Like a road, power line or ditch, it

needs to be maintained to work as intended.• It starts with a tank. In the tank, solids and liquids separate and bacteria

breaks down some of the nutrients and harmful bacteria. This is called primary treatment.

• After the tank, wastewater is further treated with a filter, leach field, sand bed, mound or tile. This is called secondary treatment.

• In some cases aeration tanks provide primary and secondary treatment.• When systems are not properly maintained they can release pollution,

bacteria and viruses into the environment.• How a Septic System Works

How to make a septic system last?

• The septic system should be viewed as a major component of the dwelling just like heating, air conditioning or roof.

• It requires periodic maintenance to ensure longevity and to avoid premature failures resulting in expensive repairs.

• Think of it like changing the oil in your car. If you do regular changes, engine failure can be prevented.

Here a cap on an inspection port was damaged.

Squirrels filled the pipe with nuts, clogging the system resulting in a costly repair.

How are septic systems maintained

• Regular pump outs. This removes solids and scum that will eventually clog the system.

• Switch resting beds on secondary treatment system if you have them.

• Don’t allow water from gutters or sump pumps to overwhelm the system.

• Do NOT put any of the following into your septic system:• Diapers• Coffee grounds• Feminine products• Paint, varnish, or paint thinners• Cigarette butts• Grease• Oil or automotive fluids• YOURSELF-Never climb into a septic tank!

The Importance of Septic Tank CleaningProperly functioning tank.

Scums and solids are retained.

Waste has time to break down in tank.

Help! The tank is filled with solids.

Waste is completely untreated.

Solids are leaving the tank, clogging the rest of the system or polluting the environment.

Chapter 3718 of the Revised Code

• The law became effective May 6, 2005. It required the adoption of rules for operation and maintenance septic systems.

• Rule 3701-29 became effective January 1, 2015.

• Requires all health districts to implement an operation and maintenance program for private sewage systems.

• Requires all owners of septic systems to obtain operation permits.

• This is an unfunded State mandate on local health districts. The only funding instrument provided is through operation permit fees.

Chapter 3718 of the Revised Code: What Does This Mean????

• All private sewage systems must be permitted.

• All private sewage systems must be maintained.

• Advocates for lower cost repairs to systems rather than replacement.

• Grandfathers existing septic systems. Gives them “approved status.”

• Approximately 6,100 or 36% of homes in Defiance County use septic systems.

Defiance County Operation & Maintenance

• 4 year plan to issue Operation Permits to all properties with a septic system.

• The county has been divided into four groups of three townships.

• Owners will be notified by mail when they are due to obtain their Operation Permit.

• The district is required to do an inspection only if the owner fails to:• obtain the Operation Permit or

• provide evidence of maintenance during the permit period

image: callum.net

Group Townships Due date for Permit

A Defiance, Noble, Richland June 30, 2019

B Adams, Delaware, Highland June 30, 2020

C Hicksville, Mark, Tiffin June 30, 2021

D Farmer, Milford, Washington June 30, 2022

Public Health’s Role

• The health district will-• Provide education to system owners.

• Allow owners to register to perform maintenance on their own systems.

• Maintain service records.

• Map septic systems as information becomes available.

• When needed, enforce repairs/replacements.

• The health district will not-• Require replacement of substandard systems that are not causing a nuisance.

• Perform door-to-door inspections.

• Require a complete replacement of a system when a repair will suffice.

Property Owner Responsibility

• The intent of the law is for owners to be responsible for the maintenance of their systems.• Must have an inspection done of your system every four years.

• Sewage Contractor

• Health Department

• Registered Home Owner

• Must pump your system per guidelines or per registered contractor recommendations and findings.

• Ensure system is not causing a public health nuisance.

• Septic Tank Demonstration

Recommended pumping schedule

Tank size

gallons

Household size - Number of Occupants

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Septic Tank Service Frequency in Years

250 2.9 1.3 0.75 0.5 0.25 0.14 0.12 0.10 0.09 0.08

500 5.8 2.6 1.5 1 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.05

750 9.1 4.2 2.6 1.8 1.3 1 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.3

900 11 5.2 3.3 2.3 1.7 1.3 1 0.8 0.7 0.5

1000 12.4 5.9 3.7 2.6 2 1.5 1.2 1 0.8 0.7

1250 15.6 7.5 4.8 3.4 2.6 2 1.7 1.4 1.2 1

1500 18.9 9.1 5.9 4.2 3.3 2.6 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3

1750 22.1 10.7 6.9 5 3.9 3.1 2.6 2.2 1.9 1.6

2000 25.4 12.4 8 5.9 4.5 3.7 3.1 2.6 2.2 2

2250 28.6 14 9.1 6.7 5.2 4.2 3.5 3 2.6 2.3

2500 30.9 15.6 10.2 7.5 5.9 4.8 4 3.5 3 2.6

Why do I need an Operation Permit?

• Operation Permits are required by Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29.

• Funds generated by the permits will provide owner education on maintenance of septic systems.

• The department will set up a tracking system to ensure that proper maintenance is being performed, helping prevent premature failure of septic systems.

• Funds generated by the program can only be used for the district’s sewage program.

• Fees are set using a cost methodology defined in rule.

How much will it cost?

• The operation permit is $60.00 ($15 per year) for a 4 year permit.

• To have a tank pumped runs from $150 to $250.

• Compare the cost to a sewer bill:

• Lets keep what we have working!

Annual cost Cost over 4 years

Sewer bill ($50/month) $600 $2,400

Permit and regular maintenance (approximate)

$70-$100 $250-$400

Proper Operation and Regular Maintenance can prevent costly repairs or replacement

Cost of a major repair $4,000-$6,000

Cost of an entire system $10,000-$20,000

Considerations in developing the program

• Community Values – there will be options for DIY.

• Flexibility – different ways to show maintenance.

• Fairness – create an equal playing field.

• Sustainability – funding and staffing.

• Effectiveness – does it improve maintenance frequency.

• Implementation – based on potential impact to drinking water supplies and recreational water zones.

Everyone wants safe water

The Maumee River and Lake Erie basin continue to experience toxic algal blooms.

This gives the entire region a black eye and everyone in the basin has a role to playin prevention.

What’s next?• The BOH will have three readings of the proposed regulation (seeking

community input)

• The district will schedule public meetings for each group. The district will mail notification of this meeting.

• We need to work together to develop the best program for Defiance County.

GROUP TOWNSHIPS PUBLIC MEETING

A Defiance, Noble, Richland Spring 2019

B Adams, Delaware, Highland Spring 2020

C Hicksville, Mark, Tiffin Spring 2021

D Farmer, Milford, Washington Spring 2022

Defiance County General Health District

1300 East Second Street, Suite 100, Defiance, Ohio

43512

Phone 419-784-3818 Fax 419-782-4979

www.defiancecohealth.org

deh@defiancecohealth.org