Sewage Treatment
The Licking County Health Department 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.
Sewage Program Update
In May of 2005 a new statewide sewage law was passed in Ohio. New regulations covering the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of Household Sewage Treatment Systems and Small Flow On-Site Sewage Treatment Systems took effect January 1, 2007. The legislature repealed the new rules, and reverted to the 1977 regulations, as part of the state budget bill on July 1, 2007.
In response to the lack of adequate state-wide rules, the Licking Co. Board of Health passed local Sewage Treatment System rules in July. These local regulations include most of the former state-wide rules with some amendments to reflect local soil conditions and to increase design flexibility. The local rules still require soil evaluations of lots to determine soil type, depth to seasonal water table, and depth to limiting layer. These site-specific soil conditions will be used to determine what type of sewage treatment systems could be utilized on that lot.
In the past we have permitted conventional leaching tile fields to go in on lots with high seasonal water tables and impermeable soil or bedrock conditions. These systems often experience failures during wet weather, and had the potential to contaminate water supplies.
System designs available, depending on depth to seasonal water table or bedrock, include: septic tank with leaching tile field, aerator with leaching tile field, Septic tank or aerator with mound system, or a drip distribution system. Licking County’s changes from the 2007 state-wide rules:
- 18” of separation distance from the water table (it was 24”).
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6” of existing usable soil above the limiting layer (it was 12”).
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Gradient (curtain) drains are permitted on lots with high water tables.
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· Septage (septic tank sludge) may not be disposed of by land application.
Anyone planning on purchasing a lot, or building on a lot, should have the site evaluated early in the process. The continued emphasis on system designs based on soil characteristics will protect ground and surface water resources, protect residents from exposure to sewage-borne disease, and reduce system failure in the future.
Sewage System Design Information
LCHD Mound Design Spreadsheet (MS Excel File)
LCHD Leaching System Design Spreadsheet (MS Excel File) revised 9/06/07
Soil Evaluators (Association of Ohio Pedologists)
Maintenance of your sewage system
Aeration systems Septic Systems
Mound Systems Mound systems have in used in Licking Co. for the past 5 years. They have been used in other areas for over 25 years.
Drip Irrigation Systems - Drip irrigation systems have begun to be used it the county, and will become more common in the new rules.
Drip irrigation systems apply treated wastewater to soil slowly and uniformly from a network of narrow plastic, polyethylene, or polyvinylchloride (pvc) tubing placed at shallow depths of usually six to 12 inches in the plant root zone. The wastewater is pumped through the drip lines under pressure but drips slowly from a series of evenly spaced openings called "emitters." Wastewater must be pretreated and filtered prior to subsurface dispersal. One advantage to these systems is minimal site disturbance due to the flexible tubing that can be placed around trees and shrubs.
Buying a Lot or Building a Home in an Un-sewered Area?
Living in a rural area is the dream of many Americans. Often, however, they do not realize the responsibilities that go along with that dream home.
In most rural areas the homeowner must:
Provide for the treatment of their own sewage, and maintain their own sewage treatment system.
Develop their own safe and adequate water supply.
Properly dispose of their garbage by contracting with a refuse hauler.
If you are ready for these responsibilities, read on...
The following is an overview of the lot development process.
Any new building lot that is in an un-sewered area must be inspected by the Health Department to determine if the lot is suitable for on-lot sewage disposal (yes, there are lots that cannot be built on). This site evaluation should be done before you by the lot. If the seller had an inspection done ask to see the report, you may find that the approved home size or location are not what you want.
For new lots the Licking County Planning Commission must approve the lot. They will look at the frontage, acreage, depth, floodplain, and other factors that affect approval.
In all but a few townships, zoning codes are in effect which may regulate home location, size, frontage, and land use. You should check with the local zoning inspector early in the planning process.
If everything checks out ok on the lot you want to build on, then you will be able to get a house number (address) from the County Engineer.
Permits
A sewage system installation permit and operating permit must be obtained from the Health Department prior to installation. The installer must call to schedule an inspection prior to backfilling the system.
A private water system installation permit is required before a new well, cistern, or hauled water tank can be installed. The driller or installer must be registered and bonded with the State of Ohio. After the water system is installed a water sample is collected to determine if bacteria is present in the well, a sign of contamination. The water system is not approved until the water sample is acceptable, and all paperwork (well log, completion form) has been completed. Do not drink the water until you have received approval from the Health Department. If the water system is complete, but no sample has been collected, call the Health Department to schedule sampling.
A plumbing permit, from the Licking County Health Department, is required for all new construction. Plumbing must be installed to code and inspected prior to occupancy.
A building permit, from the Building Code Department (740) 349-6893 is required for all new construction.
Any work performed prior to permit issuance may result in fines, late penalties, condemnation of the home, or prosecution.
Living in the country can be a wonderful experience, if you are prepared. If you have any questions please call the Licking County Health Department, Environmental Health, at (740) 349-6475.
Contacts
Licking County Planning 3rd Floor, Administration Bldg. 20 S. 2nd Street, Newark 43055(740) 670-5200