1. Union County Health Department
Welcome and introduction. P
Purpose for today’s town hall meeting: Gather feedback from our residents on ways we can improve the sewage operation and maintenance program.
Format: We will start with a short overview of the program and answer some frequently asked questions we have received. Then we will ask anyone who is willing to share their opinion to please write it down on one of the sheets around the room.
Union County Health Department
Town Hall Meetings - Sewage Rules

2. Why the change? Statewide Sewage Rules
ODH estimates ~ 31% of systems are failing
This pollutes surface water
can cause illness such as E. Coli, Hep A, etc.
Average person does not recognize a sewage nuisance even in their own backyard
2012 ODH conducted statewide survey of private septic systems. The survey found that 3 in 10 systems were failing to some degree. When a system is not operating as intended, this means raw sewage could be surfacing or affecting ground water. When enough systems fail, our water quality is affected.

3. Why the change? Statewide Sewage Rules
2015 – Statewide rules effective
2016 – UCHD O&M rules effective
2020 – Local health departments must have complied (audits begin)
The findings from the state survey along with other factors led the Ohio legislature to pass updated sewage rules for all of Ohio. The new state rules went into effect Jan. 1, These rules require local health departments to create local rules and procedures for how they will add every private septic system to an operation and maintenance program. The state rules mandate 2 key components that directly impact every homeowner with a private septic system: 1) operation permits required and 2) must have proof of proper operation and maintenance. In 2020, the state rules say that the Ohio Department of Health will do an audit to see if counties are complying.
Sewage surfacing near a playset

4. Relationship Between the Legislature and a LHD
Statewide Sewage Rules
State to Local
Relationship Between the Legislature and a LHD
Legislature
State Rules (OAC)
Board of Health
(local rules)
Enforcement
Law
Sewage law change was passed by the Ohio legislature. The Ohio Department of Health was then required to write rules that govern how local Boards of Health implement the law. Local Boards of Health write local rules for how they will enforce the requirements of the state rules and law.
Program audits for compliance with OAC

5. Board of Health Goals Protect the Public’s Health
Local Sewage Program
Board of Health Goals
Protect the Public’s Health
Least Restrictive Possible & Cost Efficient
Meet Our Statutory Obligation
Keeping the state mandates in mind, these are the goals of our local program.

6. 1 2 Renewing operation O&M Program: Frequency of PERMIT INSPECTION
Local Sewage Program
2 Big Pieces 1 2
Renewing operation
PERMIT
O&M Program: Frequency of
INSPECTION
Dye test indicating sewage surfacing
There are 2 main components required in state law that are directly impacting every homeowner with a septic system. These are the changes that are important for every septic system owner to understand.

7. Operation Permits Local Sewage Program State Mandate:
Permits must be 10 years or less
State Option:
Fee is optional (but the state provides no funding)
Local Rule:
Adopted 5 year permit cycle
Elected $10/year fee
The state law says operation permits have to be renewed. An operation permit can only be valid for up to 10 years. The state allows local Boards of Health to charge a fee to cover the cost of issuing permits, but it does not require it.
The local Board of Health chose a 5 year permit cycle to try and keep fees lower for homeowners. The five year permit cycle allows us to have a more accurate cost projection than a 10 year estimate. It also provides money to fund the program in the initial years when costs are highest as we have to add nearly 7,000 systems to our operation and maintenance program.
The $10/year fee is based on trying to recoup most of the direct costs associated with the program including field staff to do initial assessments on every system and mailing costs associated with mailing the permit bills.

8. Permit Fees – What does it pay for
Sewage Rules FAQ
Permit Fees – What does it pay for
The permit fee can only be used to fund the health department’s sewage program.
The fee pays for the staff to work in the program, vehicles to do site assessments, and the cost to mail permit bills (direct costs).
No money goes toward other programs or to fund central sewers (it cannot).
By rule, the permit fee can only cover the costs of the sewage program.
It can not be used to cover any other program areas.
While the fee is optional under Ohio sewage rules, 100% of the fee is paying for the mandates placed on our health department to comply with the permitting and operation & maintenance requirements.
By rule, the permit fee CANNOT pay for any central sewer projects within the county. This is a myth we have heard discussed. This fee is not being used for anything but the direct costs of issuing permits and ensuring proper operation & maintenance as required under the state law.

9. Levy funding of direct cost
Sewage Rules FAQ
Permit Fees – What does it pay for
Direct Expense
The revenue generate by the permit fee totals $240,000 from now through 2019 (the first pro-rated permit cycle). The direct expenses (not total expenses) total $294,736 from now through 2019.
This is a summary of the direct costs of the program versus the revenue generated from the fee. Direct costs only include the actual staff costs to do the assessments, the cost to mail the permit bills, and fuel and vehicle costs. It does not include any of the other administrative costs to answer calls, process the payments, or pay rent/ utilities, etc.
As you can see, by 2019, we will need to use almost $55,000 in levy dollars to support the program. The estimated levy support of this program during the first 3 years will be over $100,000 when including other expenses.
Levy funding of direct cost

10. Permit Fees – Options Sewage Rules FAQ
No ability to only ‘charge’ or ‘ticket’ failing systems.
Charge smaller fee to all who have system.
Levy (property tax) cannot cover entire cost of program unless we increase levy.
Unfunded mandate by the state.
Our phase-in approach was designed to limit the cost on home-owners as much as we could.
By rule, the permit fee can only cover the costs of the sewage program. I
It can not be used to cover any other program areas within the health department or the county as a whole.
While the fee is optional under Ohio sewage rules, 100% of the fee is paying for the mandates placed on our health department.
We choose to charge a fee rather than to entirely fund the program with levy dollars for several reasons. The primary reasons included that our current levies are near the end of their current cycle. We did not want to collect levy funds for this program at the time we passed the levies because we did not have a finite timeframe for when the state law would be enacted.

11. 1 2 Renewing operation O&M Program: Frequency of PERMIT INSPECTION
Local Sewage Program
2 Big Pieces 1 2
Renewing operation
PERMIT
O&M Program: Frequency of
INSPECTION
Dye test indicating sewage surfacing

12. O&M Program Local Sewage Program State Mandate:
Provide proof that the system is operating as designed by inspection or operation maintenance contract
Homeowners, service provider, or Health Department can do inspection
Local Rule:
Inspections 1, 2 or 5 x’s a permit cycle
Begins in 2020
These are the rules regarding required inspections. Inspection requirements (except for aerator and drip systems) do not go into effect until 2020.

13. Inspection Requirement
Sewage Rules FAQ
Inspection Requirement
Inspections can be performed by:
Homeowner
By law, training, test, and registration required
Board waived all fees
Service Provider
Health Department
The Board of Health waived all costs for a homeowner to do their own inspections. This is because we feel that a homeowner that is knowledgeable about their septic system is less likely to have a system that is failing. If a homeowner does not want to have to do the maintenance and inspections on their system, they can choose to have a registered service provider do the service. If neither of these options are preferred, than the Health Department can do the inspection for a $50 fee. This fee pays for our travel costs and staff time.

14. Septic System Phase-in 2016-2019
Sewage Rules FAQ
Inspection Requirement
Septic System Phase-in
This is the timeline for the implementation of all components of our sewage program. Inspections are the last component of the program and will be required in 2020.

15. Inspection Requirement
Sewage Rules FAQ
Frequency Group
Requirement
A. Aerators, discharging systems, NPDES, etc.
Regular Aerators
NPDES Aerators
Drip Distribution Systems
Aerator to Leach
Aerator to Mound
Aerator to SSSF
Aerator to Peat/Sphagnum Moss Filter
Aerator to any other STS
Unknown STS (until confirmed as something specific) 
Annual Inspection
(5x per 5 years of the permit) (no more than one accepted annually)
B1. Septic Tank (ST) to filter beds, lift stations, etc.
ST to SSSF (Discharging)
ST to Mound
ST to SB2
ST to Peat/Sphagnum Moss Filter (Discharging)
ST to Lift Station to Mound
ST to Filter Bed (Discharging)
ST to Lift Station to Leach
Lift Station to any other STS
B2. Septic Tank (ST) to holding tanks, filter beds, etc.
Holding Tanks
ST to Filter Bed (Non Discharging)
STS with sump pumps in the perimeter drain 
Two Inspections per Permit Cycle
(2x per 5 years of the permit) (no more than one accepted annually)
C. Septic Tank to leach field
One inspection per Permit Cycle
(1x per 5 years of the permit)
Inspection Requirement
This is the inspection frequency that will be required for different systems. The inspection frequency is based on system type and its likelihood for failure. The more complex systems require more frequent inspection. A traditional septic tank to leach field will require one inspection in a five year permit cycle.

16. Assessments Local Sewage Program
Goals of the Program
Have found 1 in 10 systems are failing.
Assessments continue through 2019.
Provide visual proof system is operating as intended.
Conducted 2,100 inspections/assessments in We found about 1 in 10 systems were failing. These visual assessments are free as part of your initial operation permit issued at the end of This assessment is being done to ensure we have complete records for every septic system within the county.

17. Communicating Change Local Sewage Program
Postcard mailed to every home in first quarter 2016.
Letter mailed to homes scheduled to be assessed (first quarter 2016 & 2017).
Annual report (mailed to homes) for 4 years.
Semi-annual report published on back page of MJT for past 4 years.
Six town hall meetings over 2 years.
Discussions annually with trustees.
These are some of the efforts we have made to try and communicate with residents about these changes.

18. Putting Residents First
Local Sewage Program
Putting Residents First
Secured $600,000 in EPA grants to help residents repair failing systems.
Secured CDC associate to cut program costs.
Voiced local concerns during the rule writing process.
Working with residents to try least expensive fixes first.
These are some of the things we have done to try and advocate for our residents and keep costs low.

19. Consequences for failing to implement
What If We Don’t Follow State Rules
Consequences to UCHD
Censure (elimination of all current and future funding, vaccines, etc.)
Charges of Nonfeasance
Program take over by the state or given to another district to implement
Consequences for failing to implement
Loss of Local Control

20. Local Sewage Program
Frequently Asked Questions ?

21. How to Change Local Sewage Program State Level:
Contact your state representative
Local Level:
Give us your feedback
Conducted 2,755 inspections/assessments in 2016.

22. State Law Local Rule What to Change Local Sewage Program
Permit renewal requirement
Inspection requirement
Training requirement
Lack of funding
Etc.
Inspection cycle
Cost of/ how program is funded
Implementation schedule
Etc.
Conducted 2,755 inspections/assessments in 2016.

23. Town Hall Meetings Local Sewage Program Sewage Town Hall Meetings
April 04, 6 PM – Richwood- North Union Library 
April 05, 6 PM – Mill Creek Township Hall
April 06, 6 PM – Allen Township Hall
April 19, 6 PM – 940 London Ave, Marysville
April 26, 6 PM – Liberty Township Hall 
Around the room…
Thoughts?
Suggestions?

24. Thank you for your time and sharing your concerns.
Local Sewage Program
Town Hall Meetings
Thank you for your time and sharing your concerns.
Questions or Comments
(937)