Private Septic Systems

 

Maintaining sewage treatment systems is crucial for preserving the quality of groundwater, lakes, and streams. This not only protects the natural resources but also the health of people who rely on well water. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regulates sewage treatment systems throughout the state under the statutory authority established by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 3718 and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-29. The updated code became effective on January 1, 2015. Local health departments conduct permitting, inspections, and enforcement. They also have the authority to adopt more stringent rules and standards.

Sewage treatment systems are required for one, two, and three-family dwellings, as well as small flow on-site sewage treatment systems that can treat up to 1,000 gallons per day. To prevent future contamination and public health hazards, it is essential to properly locate and design the system, evaluate the soil, educate the system owner, conduct operation inspections, and maintain the system.

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Resources & Education

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The Ohio Department of Health has explanations of the various systems which include:

 

• Soil Absorption Trenches

• Pretreatment to Soil Absorption Trenches

• Peat Biofilter with Soil Absorption

• Sand Mounds with Pressure Distribution

• Septic Tank/Pretreatment to Low Pressure Pipe (LPP)

• Spray Irrigation

• Drip Distribution

• Single Pass Intermittent Sand Filter/Bioreactor

 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)  offers many resources about STSs and proper maintenance, which can be found through the SepticSmart. New STS owners should read over this material after installing a system.

 

To find a registered sewage system installer, soil evaluator, system designer, or septage hauler in Sandusky County check the following listings:

Service Providers

Registered Installers

Soil Evaluators

Designers for Household Sewage Treatment Systems

Septage Haulers

 

For Flooding Events, more information can be found here.