Lorain County homeowners upset with new inspection fees for septic systems

A new mandated permit for Lorain County homeowners with septic tanks on their properties brought confusion and anger to the residents who spoke out Jan. 16 against the new cost during the Lorain County Commission meeting.

In January 2015, the Ohio Department of Health adopted new rules for home sewage treatment systems (HSTS) which require each health department across the state to implement a local operation and maintenance program to monitor and ensure the proper function of HSTS in their jurisdictions, according to the Lorain County Public Health website.

“Lorain County Public Health works to protect people and the environment by making sure that HSTS work as designed — if HSTS don’t work properly, they may negatively impact local watersheds by adding bacteria and pollution,” the website stated.

Health departments are responsible for overseeing the proper maintenance of more than 20,000 home sewage treatment systems, many of which the health departments have limited information about.

Therefore, the state enacted legislation allowing for a new permit to be issued to each homeowner who uses a home sewage treatment systems.

Newly enrolled homeowners were given the option to select a one-year permit for $40 or a three-year permit which costs $120.

The payments are due by April 30, according to the local health department’s website.

“The definition of robbery is taking something by force,” said Leslie Ahrens, who resides on Dunton Road in Sheffield Township and owns a septic tank. “This permit fee by Lorain County Health is nothing less than robbery.

“I am adamantly opposed to this $40 fee. It has not been voted on. It is not a permit. It’s plain robbery.”

Ahrens also told the commissioners that every resident on Dunton Road has had their septic tanks installed between 50 and 100 years ago.

The Dunton Road residents didn’t have a choice because there is no access to a sewer system in that area, he said.

John Meade, a neighbor of Ahrens, questioned how many new inspectors the county would have to employ and at what cost to the taxpayers.

Meade also voiced concerns about the cost of the new vehicles the county likely would need to purchase in order for the inspectors to conduct their duties.

“All of a sudden, I see us going in a hole right off the bat,” he said.

Debra Williams, of LaGrange, told the commissioners that initially when she received notice of the required permit, she believed it was a scam.

“The last thing I’m going to do is take my phone and scan over a QR code that I’m not sure where this actually came from, and I was afraid to call from phone on that number,” Williams said. “Usually when the word permit comes up, you usually apply for a permit before you build something, before you put something in a home, not when something is already in existence.

“It’s like putting the cart before the horse.”

Commission President Jeffrey Riddell recently attended a meeting with about 50 people, and about 30 of them voiced their concerns about the new permitting program.

“You are not alone; the three of you are not alone,” Riddell told the residents who spoke. “I’m afraid we don’t have all the answers yet.”

Riddell also questioned the significant amount of money that will be collected to eventually inspect each of the septic tank systems in the county.

Meanwhile, Commission Vice President David Moore referred to the new program as another “famous Columbus unfunded mandates.”

Moore said the commission heard about the program from the news media, just like the residents.

“How do we mitigate the future alarm of people when they realize that maybe their septic system has failed and they can’t even afford the $120?” he asked. “Can you imagine what’s going to happen if they can’t even afford to bring it up to code.”

Moore speculated that upgrading septic systems could cost upward of between $8,000 and $15,000.

Commission Michelle Hung explained that the program was put in place because “unfortunately, there are people who are doing things they shouldn’t be doing.”

The commission referred the residents to Lorain County Public Health.

“They need to hear you, and they will listen,” Moore told the residents.

The health board meets at 6 p.m., every second Wednesday of the month, at the health department located at 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria, according to a staff member.

Lorain County Public Health also can be contacted via email at EH@loraincountyhealth.com or by phone at 440-322-6367.