Homeowners with faulty septic systems can receive help
Tuscarawas County homeowners with faulty septic systems can now receive help with repairs or replacements. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $150,000 loan to the county through the 2019 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund.
Tuscarawas County homeowners with faulty septic systems can now receive help with repairs or replacements. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $150,000 loan to the county through the 2019 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund.
The program is being administered by the Tuscarawas County Health Department, which inspects septic systems for property sales and nuisance complaints. Health Commissioner Katie Seward also spoke of a new Operation and Maintenance Program that has just gone into effect and will likely lead to the discovery of more failing systems.
The county received a similar loan in 2016, and Seward said they are happy to receive it again as she understands how problematic maintaining a septic system can be.
“Septic systems are just so expensive, and if that’s not something that you’re budgeting for on a monthly basis, like you would a water and sewer bill from the city, then you may not be financially able to install a new system on a moment’s notice,” Seward said during a phone interview.
The WPCLF program is designed to improve the quality of life for those who can’t afford upgrades and to improve local water quality. Funds also can be used to connect to an existing sanitary sewer system and abandon a septic tank.
To be eligible, applicants must meet several criteria. Gross household income must be within the guidelines, the sewage system must be failing, and homeowners must be the ones to make the applications and must be current on property taxes. Rental properties, new-build homes and homes currently for sale are not eligible.
Applications will be chosen on the severity of the system failure and financial need. Order of applications will be the final criteria for selection. Assistance is not limited to low-income applicants, and those with income up to 300 percent of the poverty line can still receive 50-percent assistance.
Seward said she is not aware of how many failing septic tanks are in the area. Many are found through Point of Sale inspections required by law when a property with a well or septic system is sold.
“Through that program or through complaints, we identify a lot of systems that may need repaired or in some cases replaced,” Seward said. “We certainly believe that there are a whole lot more out there that are failing that we don’t know about yet that we will know about because of the implementation of the Operation and Maintenance Program.”
Most nuisance complaints are caused by smells. Seeing waste or sewage on the ground or dirty water from discharge lines also are signs a system may be failing or in need of upgrades.
A well-maintained septic system only has a 15-year life span, according to Seward. Those that aren’t serviced regularly can fail in as little as seven years. Ideally people have their systems maintained regularly and servicemen give updates on the condition and need for repairs or replacements without the TCHD having to get involved.
While the TCHD doesn’t issue permits to discharge into streams, there are still numerous public health concerns that can be caused by a leaking septic system. Seward mentioned that anywhere sewage is not properly controlled has the potential to reach the water supply when rain, wind or other factors move it around.
Repairs of systems can be costly, but neglect also can result in a fine. Seward said the TCHD issues orders under the Ohio Revised Code to owners after inspecting bad systems, and if they don’t make required repairs within the allowed number of days, they can be charged with failure to obey a public health order.
“We don’t want to put people in a bad financial situation or create a hardship for a family,” Seward said. “But at the same time we are tasked with upholding the law.”
Seward said all $150,000 of the loan will be “directly given back to the public.” None of that amount will be used for administrative costs. According to the TCHD, “This loan is principal forgiveness and does not require repayment.”
“We want to help in any way we can, and this is just a way that we can do that,” Seward said. “I can’t imagine tomorrow someone telling me I need to replace a $10,000 septic system, so I’m certainly not going to assume that everyone else can do that too.”
For more information or to submit an application as a homeowner or contractor, visit www.tchdnow.org/water-pollution-control-loan-fund.html.
The Tuscarawas County Health Department is located at 897 E. Iron Ave. in Dover. They can be called at 330-343-5555 or 1-800-860-8302. They also can be found online at www.tchdnow.org and can be followed on Facebook @tchdnow.