Sewage

Our Water Quality Program Staff permits and inspects new, replacement, and alterations to household sewage treatment systems (HSTS) and small flow onsite sewage treatment systems (SFOSTS).

Sewage System Permits & Inspection

The Holmes County Health District works to prevent disease transmission and protect the quality of surface and ground water by performing inspections, enforcing sewage regulations, and providing education to homeowners.

How To Obtain a Permit To Install Or Alter a Sewage Treatment System

Individuals may obtain a Permit to Install or a Permit to Alter a sewage treatment system to serve a single-family dwelling (STS) or a small flow on-site sewage treatment system (SFOSTS) from the Division of Environmental Health Services after the completion of a site evaluation. After the site evaluation has been completed, an application is normally mailed to the property owner or their agent with a copy of the evaluation findings.

If an application is misplaced or the property has transferred to a new owner, an application can be obtained in person or by contacting the Division of Environmental Health Services. The permit application and fee must be submitted prior to the start of construction of the sewage system. In the case of a SFOSTS, a sewage system design plan from a qualified system designer must also be submitted with the application and fee. 

Sewage Treatment System Design and Site Review

This information is provided by the Holmes County General Health District to assist property owners in obtaining an installation permit for a sewage treatment system. Permits for household sewage treatment systems and small flow on-site sewage treatment systems are issued by the health district.

Prior to accepting an application for a permit to install a new or replacement sewage treatment system or alter an existing sewage treatment system, a site review must be conducted by the health district. The site review must include: a completed application and associated fee; a site and soil evaluation completed by a certified professional soil scientist or soil classifier; a system design plan prepared by a person capable of completing the tasks specified in Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29-10 (B); and, in the event of replacement and/or repair of a sewage treatment system creating a nuisance condition and/or is failing, an incremental repair and/or replacement plan.

Who do I need to contact?

• Certified professional soil scientist or soil classifier
• Sewage Treatment System Designer
• Registered Sewage Treatment System Installer

How do I get started?

1. Contact a certified professional soil scientist or soil classifier to have a site and soil evaluation  
2. Select and then provide the site and soil evaluation to a sewage treatment system designer to have a sewage treatment system
3. Submit the Sewage Treatment System Site Review application and the $225.00 fee to the health district  with copies of the  site and soil evaluation and sewage treatment system design  plan/
4. After receiving the site review application, system design plan and site and soil evaluation, the documents will be checked for completeness. A review of the project site will be conducted by health district staff within seven (7) business days after receiving the documents. If there are problems noted, the review process may take longer.
5. After the design  plan  review process and site visit have completed, a letter will be sent to the property owner at the mailing address provided on the Sewage Treatment System Site Review application regarding approval of the proposed project, disapproval of the of the proposed project, or whether additional information is necessary to be submitted for review. Approved design plan applications will be valid for five years from the date of the application provided there are no changes to the site conditions or the sewage treatment system design, including the sewage
6. Contact a registered sewage treatment system
7. Before commencing construction or installation of the sewage treatment system, you must submit an application for a permit to install and the $300.00 fee. Permits, once issued by the health district, are valid for one (1)

Sewage Treatment System Professionals

Below is a brief description of the sewage treatment system professionals that will be involved in the approval and installation process. Attached to this information sheet is a list of certified professional soil scientists or soil classifiers, sewage treatment system designers and registered sewage treatment system installers. Some of the companies provide multiple services. It is important for you to check what services they will be able to provide. The persons and companies listed are not endorsed by the health district. The list is a tool for property owners and, by all means, is not a complete list of all persons and companies who may perform services.

The first step is to have a site and soil evaluation conducted. Site and soil evaluations are required to be conducted by certified professional soil scientists or soil classifiers. Certification ensures that the soil scientists or soil classifiers meet national standards, is a qualified professional, and has field experience.  As the soil is a fundamental and integral part of the of your sewage treatment system, it is important to have a certified individual conduct the evaluation.

Certified professional soil scientists or soil classifiers

The soil scientist or soil classifier will come to the property, evaluate the soil, and provide consultation about where a sewage treatment system can be located. The evaluation will determine the type(s) of soil located on this property and any limiting or restrictive conditions that may exist. This information will be used to determine the type and size of the sewage treatment system, or possibly that the site cannot be approved if conditions exist which prohibit an approvable system being installed.

Sewage treatment system designers

The second step is to contact a designer to create a plan of the proposed system. The design plan will include the topography (i.e. the physical features which the direction of slope, elevations, streams or ditches, etc.) of the site, layout of the sewage treatment system, location of the dwelling and any other buildings, and detailed specifications for the components of the sewage treatment system. This is considered the "blueprint" of the system. There is currently no registration/certification for sewage treatment system designers.

Registered sewage treatment system installers

The Holmes County General Health District registers sewage treatment system installers annually. Registered installers are permitted to install, replace, and alter sewage treatment systems. All registered installers are required to pass an examination on the state-wide sewage code, annually complete continuing education credits, and meet bonding and liability insurance requirements.

Contact
Please contact the Environmental Health Division at 330-674-8422

• To report a sewage nuisance complaint please contact the EH Division at (330) 674-8422 or click here: https://www.holmeshealth.org/nuisance-complaints/
• Holmes County General Health District has been awarded a grant from Ohio EPA that offers financial assistance to help low-to-moderate income homeowners repair and replace failing home sewage treatment systems. For more information about the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) please contact the EH Division.