Septic tanks, typically underground, collect sewage and allow it to decompose through bacterial activity before draining by means of a leaching field. Some septic systems are like small water treatment plants, with electrically powered aerators. A system that works properly keeps bacteria, viruses and nutrients out of groundwater and surface water.
Septic tanks, typically underground, collect sewage and allow it to decompose through bacterial activity before draining by means of a leaching field. Some septic systems are like small water treatment plants, with electrically powered aerators. A system that works properly keeps bacteria, viruses and nutrients out of groundwater and surface water.
Failing home sewage treatment systems are suspected of allowing E. coli bacteria to get into Beaverdam Creek in Roswell.
The village is not alone.
A 2012 survey by the state Department of Health found nearly one in three home septic systems leaking untreated waste into the ground.
As a result, the state enacted new rules on home sewage treatment systems in 2015, the first update since 1977.
The new rules have created rumors and fears of terrible consequences for property owners with older systems.
Here's the truth, according to Caroline Terakedis, registered sanitarian and director of environmental health for the Tuscarawas County Health Department, which regulates individual home sewage systems: As long as a system is not creating a nuisance, the county is not requiring upgrades.
The state sewage code requires that eventually, everyone in the state will need an operation and maintenance permit for their home septic system. That will require a maintenance agreement with a service provider, or inspections from the health department.
The health department is now issuing about 1,000 operation permits in Tuscarawas County, according to Terakedis. Staffers have been putting information on their Facebook page, and meeting with township trustees, county commissioners, service providers and property owners about the new regulations.
“Our goal here is to get people to take care of their home’s septic systems," Terakedis said. "We want them to spend their money getting the maintenance done that they need."
For those who might balk at the cost, Terakedis noted that a sewer bill might be $60 a month, a cost septic system owners would not have to pay.
“Everybody that has a septic system, anywhere, any state, should be doing routine maintenance," Terakedis said. "If you do not do it, then your system will not last as long, and you will end up paying more in the long run.”
Replacing a septic system could cost $10,000 to $25,000, she said.
Terakedis said that few systems should require replacements once the county fully implements its permitting process, which is projected to take until 2025.
“Most of the time, hopefully, there will be something where it can be fixed," Terakedis said. "A lot of these systems, one part needs replaced, and they replace it. The code does allow for incremental repairs of septic systems.”
The health department has been responsible for regulating home sewage treatment systems for years, Terakedis said. The process has included inspecting systems when property is sold.
“All septic systems fail," Terakedis said. "We don’t stop the sale based on a failing septic system. It goes out on the report, so that the buyer’s aware. And then we require them to replace or repair the septic system, get it back into working order. You can still buy it. We are very diligent about following up.”
Public funds are sometimes available to help individuals pay for repairs to their septic systems. The Tuscarawas County Health Department received $184,000 in 2016 to help residents throughout the county repair or replace home septic systems, according to Dina Pierce, spokeswoman for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. None of that assistance was used in Roswell.
Income-based programs, such as the Community Housing Improvement Program, help Ohio residents with the cost of repairing or replacing home sewage treatment systems, Pierce said. Ohio EPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund also offers a limited amount of principal forgiveness funding assistance through participating local health departments to help eligible residents address home sewage treatment system issues. WPCLF principal forgiveness funds for home sewage treatment systems are only to be used in areas that cannot be cost-effectively served by sanitary sewers.
For more information about Ohio EPA’s home sewage treatment system help, view the online resource at http://epa.ohio.gov/defa/ofa.aspx#169558733-home-sewage-treatment-systems-hsts. Applications for funding from Ohio EPA is by local health departments or county commissioners, not individual homeowners. If a county receives funding from Ohio EPA’s program, homeowners would need to apply for funds through their county agency.
More information about home sewage treatment systems can be found on the Tuscarawas County Health Department’s website, www.tchdnow.org, or by calling 330-343-5555.
Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.
On Twitter: @nmolnarTR