In January 2015, the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC): Chapter 3701-29-19 required the Board of Health to develop a program for the administration of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) management for Sewage Treatment Systems (STS), also known as septic systems. Proper operation and maintenance of a homeowner’s STS is important to ensure the STS operates effectively and efficiently for many years and does not create a public health nuisance or the possible contamination of water resources. Failure to maintain a septic system can lead to backups, malfunctions, and early system failures that can result in costly repairs or the potential need for a system replacement. It is mandated that every STS have an operation permit.

• The O&M permit does NOT allow the existing STS to be connected to a NEW or ALTERED DWELLING. (Please click the NEW CONSTRUCTION tab for more information.) 
• The O&M Permit does NOT allow ANY alterations or changes to the existing STS without prior approval. (Please contact PCHD with any questions PRIOR to any work being done.)

 

What is Operation and Maintenance (O&M)?

Maintaining Household Sewage Treatment Systems (HSTS, also known as septic systems) so that they may operate properly to increase the life of the system and decrease the risk of causing a public health nuisance.

 

Why is the O&M Program being implemented?

State law requires operation permits and regular maintenance of Household Sewage Treatment Systems (HSTS). The laws related to the O&M Program are:

• OAC 3701-29-19: Operation and Maintenance
• ORC 3718.02(A)(5): Operation Permits
• ORC 3718.02(A)(3)(c): Maintenance
• ORC 3718.02(A)(7): Board of Health required to develop program

Each county is tasked with the responsibility of issuing operation permits for all sewage treatment systems in the county.

 

What is the cost?

The fee for the 5-year Operation Permit is $75.

 

How often will the permit be renewed?

The permit will need to be renewed every 5 years.

 

O&M Permit Terms & Conditions

There are terms and conditions that each property owner with an STS shall comply with once an operation permit has been issued for the system. The terms and conditions include:

• The O&M permit does NOT allow the existing STS to be connected to a NEW or ALTERED DWELLING. (Please click the NEW CONSTRUCTION tab for more information.)
• The O&M permit does NOT allow ANY alterations or changes to the existing STS without prior approval. (Please contact PCHD with any questions PRIOR to any work being done.)

1. Mandatory pumping of the septic tank at least once every 10 years.
2. Evaluation of the STS once every 5-year permit cycle. A pumping report may be accepted in lieu of evaluation. The evaluation/pumping does NOT have to be complete prior to submitting the O&M application or renewal application and the permit fee to the Putnam County Health Department. The homeowner is responsible for the permit fee. Contractor pumping fees are separate from the permit fee.
3. Maintain a current operation permit for the life of the system, renewing every 5 years.
4. Maintain service contracts, if applicable; Service Contracts are required for the following system types:

*Any STS subject to an NPDES permit (example systems include HydroAction, Jet, Norweco)

*Sand Mound Systems

5. Testing as required by an NPDES permit.

 

• The operation permit is not void upon the sale of the property but will remain with the system until expiration.

State Sewage Rules

Supplemental PCHD Sewage Rules

 

Who can perform the evaluation?

Regardless of which option is chosen, the homeowner is responsible for submitting the application and the $75.00 permit fee by the stated due date.

An evaluation of the STS must be performed for each 5-year permit cycle. The evaluation may be performed any time in the 5 years, it does NOT need to be completed prior to submitting the permit application and fee. In lieu of an evaluation, a pumping report from a Putnam County registered septage hauler may be submitted during the 5-year permit cycle. Who can perform the evaluation?

• PCHD Staff (No additional fee for this service)
• A Putnam County Registered Service Provider

O&M Service Providers

• A Homeowner may become a Property Owner Service Provider for their primary residence to perform the evaluation on their own personal property. Please see the information below.

Property Owner Service Provider Instructions

Property Owner Service Provider Application

Operator Training Committee of Ohio 

O&M Evaluation Form 

 

Who can pump my tank?

You will need to contact a Putnam County Registered Septic Hauler to pump your septic tank.

Registered Haulers

 

How often should I pump my tank?

Septic Tank Pumping Frequency

 

What if I do not know the size or location of my tank or the outlet location?

Only complete the information you know. If you are unsure of the tank size or location or the outlet location, you may want to consider having a registered service provider perform the evaluation to assist in locating the tank. If it has been quite some time since the tank was last pumped (or you don’t know the last time the tank was pumped), you may want to consider having a registered hauler/pumper pump the tank. It is strongly recommended risers be added to your septic tank.

 

Will I have to install a new system or upgrade my system?

A new system or upgrades are NOT required unless the system is causing a public nuisance and it cannot be repaired or remediated. There may be income-based grant funding available for the replacement of a system should it be failing or causing a public health nuisance that cannot be repaired or remediated. Please contact the Putnam County Health Department for more information on available grant funding. Additional information may also be found on the Ohio Department of Health website.

ODH Additional Funding Resources

 

What do I do if the property has a vacant dwelling, or the house has been demolished or removed?

Please contact Lisa Pope at the Putnam County Health Department to discuss the vacant dwelling process at (419)523-5608 ext. 115.

 

WPCLF Funding

Is your sewage system failing? Do you need help paying for a new one? We may be able to help!

PCHD has grant money available through the Water Pollution Control Loan Funding (WPCLF) program to assist eligible homeowners in repairing or replacing a failing septic system. Eligibility is based on income.

Click here for the WPCLF application. Contact the Environmental Department at 419-523-5608 for more information.