Will all system owners be required to upgrade their existing systems to meet the new rule standards on January 1, 2007?
NO. ORC 3718.02 specifically states that all systems in existence that are operating or operational shall be deemed approved unless they are causing a public health nuisance.

Will everyone be required to install a mound system after January 1, 2007?
NO. The new sewage treatment systems rules provide a “toolbox” of approved system components that can be used to design a system suitable for the site conditions of the lot, and the lifestyles and budget of the systems owners. ODH will be working closely with all local health districts to ensure that property owners are allowed choices in system design, and are not required to install a local health district’s “favorite system”. In fact, the new rules allow for MORE, not less, options than existing state and local regulations.

Do the new rules go too far and add unnecessary cost, i.e. why does everyone need a “Cadillac” system?
ODH is very concerned about the cost of sewage treatment systems. System designs allowed in the rules carefully balance the protection of public health and the environment with overall system installation and maintenance costs. For example, new rule amendments proposed by ODH in August lower the vertical separation distance needed in the soil for treatment. This equates to more sites that will be suitable for conventional systems lowering costs for system installations and replacements across the state. The new rules also allow for many system designs that can be tailored to the lot conditions, budget and lifestyles of property owners.

Will all systems need service contracts with high maintenance costs?
NO. Service contracts are not required for all systems. The level of maintenance required for a sewage treatment system is dependent on the system design and components. System owners will be able to evaluate the level of maintenance required for any particular system when choosing a new or replacement system for their property, and then make decisions based on their budget and lifestyles.

Do the new rules reduce the number of available sites that can be built on?
NO. The new rules provide many more system design options than the old rules. The variety of system designs and the ability to mix and match components to meet the site and owner needs may even allow for sites that were previously deemed unbuildable to be used.

Will traditional leach lines still be allowed to be used?
YES. Conventional septic tank to leach line systems in the soil are certainly still permitted where the soils are suitable. With less discharging systems being used, more sites will be using soil based systems. This will certainly include more leaching trench systems.

Is the use of “curtain” drains prohibited?
NO. The proper use of drains is still permitted. Interceptor drains can be used whenever needed to divert water away from soil based systems. Gradient drains will also be allowed to move water away from systems installed at sites with seasonal high water near the surface where the system design is approved under a special variance by the local health district.

Are all existing and new lots required to have systems subject to the new rules?
NO. ODH clearly recognizes that some lot owners and developers already have obtained approved system designs from local health districts but have not yet installed these systems. The rules provide a grace period where lot owners with system designs approved prior to January 1, 2007 will have until January 1, 2010 to obtain a permit, and then an additional year for installation under that permit.

Will home owners with failing systems be forced to abandon their homes if they cannot install a new soil based sewage system for their existing home?
NO. ODH has worked with the Ohio EPA to develop a General Permit that will authorize certain approved discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. These homes will be able to install a discharging system approved under the new rules and authorized by permit.

For more information contact:
Residential Water and Sewage Program
Department of Environmental Health
Perry County Health Department
212 South Main Street, P.O. Box 230
New Lexington, OH 43764
(740) 342-5179
perrcohd@odh.ohio.gov