Sewage complaints involve concerns about discharges from household sewage treatment systems (HSTS), discharges from broken lateral lines, discharges from household plumbing, and grey water discharges (i.e. laundry water, shower, or kitchen sink).
Discharges of sewage from leach line systems, leach beds and mound systems are not allowed. These are non-discharging systems, and a discharge is evidence of a failure of the system. Failing HSTSs must be repaired or replaced. Overflow lines from septic systems (bleeder lines) are not allowed, and the Health District will order their removal when found.
If a septic system or a mound system is not discharging sewage to the surface then it is not creating a health nuisance. These types of systems treat wastewater in the soil and subsoil. The movement of treated wastewater through the soil and subsoil cannot be controlled by the Health District. The Health District cannot address easement issues regarding pre-existing leach lines, and cannot order removal of leach lines in cases where no sewage easement has been granted.
Discharges from a sand filter systems and aerobic treatment units (ATU) are allowed. The discharge should be clear, colorless, and odorless. A septic odor, and/or grayish discoloration are an indication of a malfunction, and a health nuisance issue. Repair or replacement will be ordered when failures are found. An ATU will sometimes produce odors due to temperature changes, overloading, or other adverse conditions even if it is working as designed.
Discharging systems are permitted to discharge onto neighboring properties in Clermont County without an easement, but the end of a discharge pipe should be at least ten feet from a property line. The Health District cannot order the removal of improperly located discharge pipes associated with existing systems that have already been approved.
Home owners who have a collector line on their property are responsible for maintaining that section of the collector line on their property. Home owners who have a collector line crossing their property may not remove the line, or create a health nuisance by blocking the flow.
Grey water discharges are not allowed, and the Health District will order their elimination when found. Wastewater from showers, kitchen sinks, and washing machines must be tied into an existing HSTS, or into a sanitary sewer. If alterations to the household plumbing are required, then a plumbing permit must be obtained from the Plumbing Department before work begins.
No one may alter an HSTS without approval from the Health District. Minor repairs to an HSTS do not require approval, but major repairs do. Major repairs include replacement of a septic tank, distribution box, or a leach line. A completed repair application with an application fee must be submitted to the Health District before a major repair or replacement of an HSTS can be approved. Repair or replacement of an HSTS is at the discretion of the Health District, and is based on relevant factors such as lot size, soil type, etc.
Household sewage treatment systems which have been replaced must be properly abandoned. A septic tank must first be pumped out by a registered septic hauler. The top of the tank must be crushed, then filled to grade with an inert material such as concrete, brick, block, stone, or earth. Removal of old leach lines is not required.
No person may drain or pump the contents of a privy, cesspool, or septic tank to the ground surface, into a ditch, a public sewer, street gutter, or storm sewer. The contents of a privy, cesspool, or septic tank must be disposed of in an approved manner by a septic hauler registered in Clermont County. “Approved manner” means the waste has to be disposed of at a municipal sewage treatment plant.
Wells and cisterns which are no longer in use must also be properly abandoned. When a well or cistern is no longer intended for use the owner must properly abandon the well or cistern in accordance with the Private Water System Rules (Ohio Administrative Code 3701-28-07). A sealing permit is required for all wells being abandoned.
The Health District will investigate complaints about municipal sewage treatment systems, but has no jurisdiction over these types of systems. Complaints about public sewage treatment plants should be directed to the Ohio EPA.
File a complaint online.
Updated: 05/11/2009