Tuscarawas County Health Department Operation Permit Caroline Terakedis, B.S., RS Environmental Health Director Tuscarawas County Health Department

My septic system is working just fine!

TCHD Data We have created a data base of all existing HSTS in the county. With year of installation, system type and if a pretreatment element was used We have records for around 3000 systems This means the vast majority of HSTS do not have records of what type of system was installed.

Why does TCHD need Operation and Maintenance? OAC 3701-29-19 (A) The Board of Health shall develop a program for the administration of O&M management for STS and GWRS and system owner education in compliance with division (A)(7) of section 3718.02 of the Revised Code and this chapter.

Septic Systems Maintenance All septic systems need routine maintenance: Includes regular pumping of septic tanks as needed based on the number of people in the home, strength of waste and water usage. The state of Ohio no longer requires that tanks be pumped on a yearly basis.

Why is maintaining your septic system important?

The benefits of regular maintenance Prevents premature failure of the septic system Saves money on costly repair and replacement Reduces contamination of surface and ground water Prevents “back ups” into home

Why are we starting with discharging septic systems? Septic Systems that are designed to discharge have a greater chance of contamination of surface waters They are less likely to be noticed by the homeowner when they fail The EPA has established standards for NPDES systems that homeowners should have been following since 2007

What type of systems get permits first? Systems with pretreatment Systems with time microdosing Systems utilizing surface application of pretreated wastewater Any system required to maintain a service contract by law or approval as a special use device

Off Lot Systems NPDES

Spray irrigation

Off lot aeration systems

Drip Distribution

Pretreatment to tile field

On lot septic systems Phase 2 operation permit This includes all septic systems that treat and dispose of waste water without water leaving the Property Tile/leach field Mound systems Leach wells (no longer permitted by the state to be installed in Ohio) Grey water recycling systems

On Lot Septic Systems Septic Tank to Leaching Component

Preparation for Issuing Permits TCHD will send out information to our community leaders and homeowners about the program Created existing septic system location database to include year and specific system type. If system type is unknown then treated as tank to leaching component. TCHD will set up phone bank and staff it with Water Quality staff in the week following each mailing Only 4% of home owners are complying

Issuing Operation Permits Spring of 2018 issue Operation Permits (OP) to all NPDES systems and all discharging systems installed prior to 2007. Operation Permits have been issued to all newly installed septic systems since 2015 Operation Permits will be issued to existing on Lot systems in 2022.

Service Providers TCHD developed an Operation/Maintenance Report for Service Providers (Hoping to have Statewide Report) TCHD met with septic companies to explain service requirements TCHD used a survey to develop a service provider list showing which companies provide services needed

Service providers Service providers will perform the required service for each type of septic system based on manufactures guidelines. They will fill out our report and submit them to TCHD along with a fee for reviewing this report Reports must be submitted monthly Audit stickers must be affixed to the system at the time of the inspection

TCHD Operation Permit Fees Inspections will be required as part of the Operation Permit No fee will be charged when the permit is issued A fee will be charged to the service provider when the service report is submitted to TCHD This might be the time to let people know that if th

TCHD Inspections Following-up on service reports. Our goal is to field verify 10% of the service reports from each service provider, no additional fee is charged. These inspections will be done by the Water Quality staff and no fee will be charged for this service.

What if a homeowner does not comply? Failure to comply with the terms of your operation permit may result in: A penalty fee A sampling fee An inspection by TCHD Water Quality Staff Further enforcement activity deemed necessary by the TCHD Board of Health

Water Well Inspection and Drinking Water

Tuscarawas County Health Department Questions? Tuscarawas County Health Department www.tchdnow.org cterakedis@tchdnow.org Caroline Terakedis 330-343-5550 ex 115