Everyone in Geauga County uses toilets, but that process could flush a lot more money down the drain for the 70 percent of homeowners who…
Everyone in Geauga County uses toilets, but that process could flush a lot more money down the drain for the 70 percent of homeowners who have private septic systems under new Ohio environmental regulations.
Homeowners may be forced to repair or replace their existing systems, even if they’re working well, or pay for frequent inspections under the new rules, Geauga County Health Commissioner Robert Weisdack told Geauga County Commissioners during last Thursday’s meeting.
Weisdack told an audience of about 50 people that the state of Ohio has declared 31 percent of private septic systems in Ohio are failing and need to be replaced with newer systems that have advanced technology.
Weisdack disputed that figure and said if that were the case, the county would have a serious health problem.
He said in his estimation, 97 percent of the on-lot septic systems in the county are working properly.
“The impetus of my career is to make sure these systems work,” he told commissioners.
Weisdack said health officials in nearby counties estimate septic system failure rates in their jurisdictions to be closer to 5 to 8 percent.
“The 31 percent figure is extremely questionable to me,” he said. “Somehow my math is faulty.”
But the state’s 133 pages of new septic regulations will force many homeowners to replace their existing on-lot leech field systems with mechanized aeration tanks.
Weisdack disputed several statements in the report, including assurances that a new system will cost about $8,200. He said the figure is closer to $21,000.
The report also assures homeowners they will be able to choose from a number of designs that will fit their budget, Weisdack said.
“But if you don’t meet their criteria, you don’t have much choice, folks. The state will tell you what to do,” he said, adding he feels sorry for older people on fixed incomes, who are more likely to live in a home with an older septic system.
“This is serious; this is not a joke,” Weisdack said. “I feel sorry for each and every one of you. Our board wants to protect you, but we’re stuck.”
He added he was upset at the new regulations because he considers them unnecessary and a way for the state to force rural communities to build sewer systems.
He said septic and sewer construction companies have substantial lobbyists in Columbus.
“The state wants to make it so expensive (to have a septic system) that you scream for sanitary sewers and there are only a few distributors in Ohio,” Weisdack said. “The Ohio Department of Health doesn’t like me. There are many dart boards in Columbus with my picture on them.”
Septic system installer Barry Meadows, owner of Trumbull County-based Digging Dirt, pointed out Geauga County is consistently ranked within the top three of the healthiest counties in Ohio.
“What you’ve been doing is working,” Meadows said. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Meadows said the state’s estimation of $8,200 to replace a septic system is “a lie.”
“The parts and permits cost more than that; it’s simply a lie,” Meadows said. “The average cost of a new system is north of $20,000, depending on the soil type and the number of bedrooms.
“Some of the requirements are so outrageous,” Meadows said, adding some homeowners will be required to hire a licensed engineer to inspect their new system daily for 120 days.
“I liken these rules to having a box of Chinese tools,” Meadows said. “They’re unreliable and they break.”
Weisdack suggested homeowners contact their state legislators to urge the backing of Sen. John Eklund’s pending bill that would return septic regulations to local control.
“This is not a joke; the state code is going to crush us,” he warned the audience.
During a question and answer session, several local realtors told Weisdack the county’s “point of sale” septic inspection takes homeowners by surprise and sometimes results in expensive repairs that homeowners could have avoided if they knew about the importance of routine maintenance and regular pumping of their systems.
“The regulations are a matter of public health,” Bainbridge realtor Steve Yingling told Weisdack. He said only a small percentage of systems are ever tested until someone tries to sell their property or someone complains.
“In my 35 years in real estate, I’m unaware of any homeowners who received a single piece of information from the county,” Yingling said.
He also told Weisdack homeowners should be required to have their systems pumped out every three years, and records needed to be kept at the county level whenever that occurred.
“I can’t be the Gestapo running from house to house,” Weisdack retorted. “It’s an honor system.”
“It’s not an honor system; it’s public health,” Yingling replied.
“I’m not going to be a Gestapo,” Weisdack reiterated. “You want me to make sure people pump out their systems every three years?”
“Yes,” Yingling said.
County Commissioner Skip Claypool said they needed to wrap the meeting up.
“We live in a very healthy community,” he said. “We’re not swimming in sewage. If you see a problem, call the health department.”
