GCHD Environmental Health - Household Sewage System Regulations

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The Environmental Health Division regulates all private, individual household sewage treatment systems (HSTS) in accordance with Chapter 3701-29 of the Ohio Administrative Code and any other resolutions adopted by the Geauga County Board of Health. This includes all 1, 2 and 3 family residential dwellings served by an individual household sewage treatment system.

Sanitary sewage systems that conveys sewage to a central wastewater treatment plant are regulated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and maintained by the Geauga County Department of Water Resources or the municipality in which they are located.

For household sewage treatment systems the Geauga County Health District provides the following: site evaluation for new systems, permits for new systems, permits to alter existing systems, investigation of complaints for malfunctioning systems, and enforcement measures for failure to comply with these regulations, which include hearings before the Geauga County Board of Health and referral to the Geauga County Prosecutors Office for placement on the docket of the Common Pleas Court.

Site Evaluations

A lot evaluation determines the feasibility of installing a sewage treatment system on a parcel of land, whether it is a vacant parcel or has an existing home on the lot. A Registered Sanitarian from the Geauga County Health District will visit the site to determine this feasibility. The following items must be completed before the sanitarian will visit the site.

     1. The lot evaluation form must be completed and fees paid to the
         department. NOTE: This form is for lots approved before
         January 2007.
     2. Soils information of the site must be submitted to the office. Soils
   information can be obtained from a certified soils scientist with the
   Association of Ohio Pedologist or American Society of Agronomy.
   3. A site plan on a scalable 1" = 50' on a topographical map with 2'
   contours must be submitted to the office showing the existing or
   proposed house, driveway, water well, sewage disposal system
         and replacement area. This can be printed from the Access
         Geauga property information system by selecting the parcel to be
         evaluated, selecting the map tab, and selecting Health Dept Map
         from the print choices in the GIS toolbar. Please print no larger
         than a ledger or tabloid 11" x 17" paper for filing with this office.
    4. Stake out the proposed house, driveway, water well, sewage
   disposal system and replacement area. The property lines need
         to be staked every 50 feet.

(Lot evaluation procedures in more detail are in this information sheet)

Upon completion of these items you can contact a sanitarian from the Geauga County Health District to schedule an appointment to visit the site.

Permits

The Geauga County Health District issues permits for installing new sewage treatment systems and for alteration of existing systems. After a lot evaluation is completed and approved a permit may be obtained from the Geauga County Health District. Please refer to our current fee tables.

Inspections

When a new household sewage treatment system is installed, the registered sewage installer must contact a Registered Sanitarian from the Geauga County Health District to inspect the system. The sanitarian conducts an inspection to assure compliance with Chapter 3701-29 of the Ohio Administrative Code and any other resolutions adopted by the Geauga County Board of Health.

Household Sewage Treatment System Installers and Service Providers

Individuals and companies that install sewage treatment systems, or service HSTS in any way, in Geauga County, or anywhere in Ohio, must be registered with the Geauga County Health District, be certified by the Ohio Department of Health through an examination in compliance with OAC 3701-29-04(D)(2), maintain a surety bond in compliance with OAC 3701-29-04(D), and participate in continuing education provided by ODH, or an accredited training program acceptable to ODH.

A list of those individuals and companies currently registered as househol sewage treatment system installers or service providers can be obtained from the Geauga County Health District, or on this Web site.

Records

Records of private sewage system installations are kept on file at the Geauga County Health District. Records are retrievable by address and road name.

Investigations

The Environmental Health Division investigates complaints on failing or malfunctioning household sewage treatment systems, including older style household sewage disposal systems that are no longer installed in the State of Ohio. A signed written complaint must be submitted to this office before the department can investigate a complaint. The Board of Health enforces regulations for land owners who fail to comply with these regulations through administrative hearings and through the Geauga County Prosecutor's Office.

Fees

Services rendered by the Geauga County Health District are subject to fees. Please refer to our current fee tables on the publications page.

Household Sewage Laws and Rules Enforced

Geauga County Household Sewage Disposal System Regulations 3701-29

Homeowner's Manual

Geauga County Sewage, Water well & Plumbing Owner's Manual

Forms & Publications

Lot Evaluation Procedures Information Sheet
Lot Evaluation Form - NOTE - Only for lots approved prior to January 2007

Septic Tank Abandonment Form

Registered Installers & Haulers (cleaners)

List of Registered Sewage System Installers in Geauga County
List of Service Providers (including Aeration System) in Geauga
List of Registered Septic Haulers (cleaners) in Geauga County

Registered Soils Professionals
        List of Current Registered Soils Professionals in Geauga County

        Geauga County Household Sewage Disposal Regulation
        3701-29-06 Registration of Soil Professionals
             (A) No person/firm shall perform or provide soil analysis or report for
                   siting of a sewage disposal system unless he holds a valid
                   registration issued to him by the Board of Health.
             (B) Application for registration shall be in writing and contain
                   pertinent information as required by the Board of Health.
                   Applicable registration fee shall accompany the registration
                   application.
                  (1) Any individual/firm applying to become a registered soil
                        professional (soil scientist, soil classifier), must possess the
                       ARCPACS certification from the American Societyof
                       Agronomy (ASA) or Ohio Pedologists.

Certification of soil scientists is maintained by the following organizations:
   The Association of Ohio Pedologist under "List of Soil Consultants"

  American Society of Agronomy under "Find a Certified Professional"

For further information
(440) 279-1900