Sewage System Permits & Inspection

ZMCHD provides for the licensing and inspection of sewage systems for compliance with State of Ohio regulations. Proper disposal of sewage is important to prevent disease transmission and protect the quality of surface and groundwater.

Need a Record for a Sewage System? 
Depending on the age of your house the Health Department may have records to help you. To request a record of your sewage disposal system, please email Ann Moorehead, Environmental Administrative Assistant, or call 454-9741 extension 226 with the following information:

1.    Address

2.    Date of construction of the house or installation of the system

3.    Installer of the system or builder of the house.

Purchasing or Building on a Lot?
Call the Health Department to confirm the lot provides adequate space for the installation of a sewage treatment system and area for replacement. NOT ALL LOTS ARE SUITABLE FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL. If you are considering the placement of a manufactured home on your property, additional rules apply. Please call the Ohio Manufactured Homes Commission for installation requirements including registered installer and inspector information at 614-734-6010 or email OMHC.Director@OMHC.state.oh.us. OMHC web site is http://www.omhc.ohio.gov/Home.aspx.

Do you need a sewage treatment system?
The following steps will walk you through the process of a permit application, installation, and approval for a sewage treatment system. 

1.    Site & Soil Evaluation

Contact a Certified Soil Scientist on the Consultants List.   The soil scientist will provide you with a site and soil evaluation for your property.  This information provides the basis for determining the feasibility of siting a sewage treatment system.

2.    System Design

A sewage treatment system must be installed by a registered sewage installer or the homeowner.  A list of currently registered sewage installers is available by contacting Ann Moorehead, Environmental Administrative Assistant.  Contact a registered sewage installer and they will be able to design your sewage treatment system based on your site and soil evaluation.  An installer will typically complete a layout plan.  Some system designs will require the system owner to fill out an operations permit application and obtain an annual operations permit.

3.    Application for Site Review and Sewage Treatment System Permit

The Site and Soil Evaluation and system design need to be submitted to the health department along with the Application for Site Review and Sewage Treatment System Permit.  The application includes the fees required for the site review and permit.  Along with your application you must also provide verification of your address from the GIS office.  The GIS office is located on the 3^rd floor of the courthouse.

4.    Plumbing Permit

Before most sewage permits are approved you must apply for a plumbing permit.  If you are not building immediately, you can still apply for a permit and pay the initial $50.00 application fee.

5.    Health Department Site Review

Once the site and soil evaluation, system design, and applications are submitted, a sanitarian will review the information and conduct a site review.  When the system design is approved, the permit will be mailed to the individual who signed for the permit.  This permit is valid for 1 year from the date of approval.  The system may now be installed.

6.    Health Department Inspection & Approval

The board of health shall inspect a completed installation or alteration. The registered installer must call the health department for an inspection before covering the system.  The registered installer must also provide an as-built record at the time of the inspection.  The board of health shall approve an installation or alteration upon the satisfactory completion of all work and documentation.

      7.   12 Month Inspection After Installation
            A sanitarian will inspect a sewage treatment system no later than twelve months after its installation to ensure that the system is operating properly.

Questions?

For more information contact:

North of US Route 40: Matt Hemmer, RS or call 454-9741 extension 232

South of US Route 40: Ann Hollingsworth, RS or call 454-9741 extension 227

Real Estate Inspection Information
Real Estate Inspection Application

Resources and Links
Statewide Interim Sewage Rules 7-2-07
ZMCHD Sewage Treatment System Rules 07-9-1
Abandoned Mine Locator
The Association of Ohio Pedologists
Ohio Department of Health Sewage Treatment Systems
Changes to Sewage Treatment Systems Law & Rules
Muskingum County Planning Commission
Contractor Surety Bond Form
Power Outage and Sewage Treatment Systems
Alternative Leaching Trenches