Signs of Septic Tank Failure
- Sewage surfacing above the absorption field
- Odors of sewage around yard
- Pump alarms
- Sinks and toilets drain slowly
- Excessively green grass over portions of the absorption field
- Sewage backing up in house
- Sewage odors in house
- Contaminated drinking water in wells near absorption field
- Contaminated surface waters downstream of house
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
MIDDLETOWN — Newly planned inspections for residential septic tanks are raising concerns for some residents.
On March 21, the Middletown health department sent out 718 letters — including some to Franklin mailing addresses — informing residents of the impending inspections. It also stated they would be charged $40 for the analysis of their septic system.
Health Commissioner Jackie Phillips said the inspections are part of a citywide effort to update Middletown’s ordinances to comply with Ohio law.
Senate Bill 110 — passed in June 2010 — allows local health departments to inspect septic systems and requires homeowners to hook up to a sewer line where available. Portions of the bill effective in 2012 also will require a routine maintenance schedule. Phillips said the $40 fee will cover the cost of the inspections and paperwork for Middletown’s two sanitarians. The work — to be completed in April and May — should help the city better understand the state of its septic systems and where sewer lines are available.
“We are trying to find out what we have got out there,” Phillips said. “If we find there are a lot of systems that are compromised, maybe we can talk about making a sewer line available.”
The average cost of replacing a septic tank today is about $5,700 and can run as high as $15,000, Phillips said.
By comparison, residents on Lefferson Road are being assessed $7,800 over a 20-year period to be hooked up to a new sewer line being installed in the city. That cost also includes new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, according to city records.
Residents of the Amanda neighborhood, most of whom use septic tanks, were mixed in how they felt about the inspections.
Tim Riley, who has lived in his home on Bernice Street for 50 years, said his family replaced the system once and noted the maintenance can be expensive. He felt the inspections were a “good idea” to make sure no systems have failed.
Alma Hurte, who lives on Roslyn Drive, said she felt the inspections were just another way the city “is trying to make money.”
“I don’t care what they do as long as they don’t charge me 'cause I ain’t paying it,” the 87-year-old said. “They aren’t likely to throw me out over $40.”
Changes in Ohio law affect septic requirements
The city’s health commissioner is making it a priority to get a handle on Middletown’s residential septic systems.
In an effort to update the city’s information, Health Commissioner Jackie Phillips said Middletown’s two sanitarians will conduct inspections of septic systems.
About 718 properties in Middletown are thought to have tank systems, but Phillips said little is known about their age, condition or if they are failing and leeching sewage into area neighborhoods.
Letters were sent out to homeowners with septic tanks informing them of the pending inspections and the $40 fee associated with it.
Phillips said the inspections — which will be conducted in April and May — are meant to provide information to the city and offer homeowners education about their systems, how to properly maintain them and what to do in the case of a failure.
“Right now this is an information-gathering measure,” she said.
While the age of Middletown’s septic systems are mostly unknown, Phillips said the average system lasts about 30 years.
A study by the Ohio Department of Health found most systems cost more than $6,000 to replace and can skyrocket to $36,000.
In Middletown, the southern portion of the Amanda neighborhood still uses septic tanks. With smaller home lots, those residents could find themselves in a tough spot financially if their systems have failed, Phillips said.
“If it fails you have to find a 'virgin’ space on the lot to place the new system that hasn’t been contaminated,” Phillips said. “They may have to buy a more expensive, (smaller) system to fit on the lot.”
Residents’ feelings mixed
Some residents who will be subject to the inspections said they think it is a good thing for the neighborhood. Others believe the city is “nosing in” on their private business.
Joe Turner, who’s lived on Bernice Street for 45 years, said he has his system cleaned out about every three years, and it’s been repaired in the past. As long as it works, he said it is none of the city’s business — and he certainly felt the city shouldn’t charge to inspect it.
“They were already here last fall,” Turner said. “I think we are being ripped off. The way this looks, they’ll be out here every six months.”
Dora Albin, who rents a home on Judy Street, said she’s concerned about who will pay for the inspection, but thinks her landlord does a good enough job maintaining her system.
Costs are high for maintaining a system, and Roslyn Street resident Marcy Byrd said she thinks it’s a good idea that the city will offer to inspect it for $40.
“ It’s a headache to fool with,” Byrd said.
While not a fan of the $40 fee, Tim Riley said the inspection will benefit the neighborhood by checking for failed systems that could leak sewage. With all the maintenance costs, he said he’d prefer to hook up to a sewer line if possible.
“I don’t know what the big deal is just to tie in a sewer line,” Riley said. “I would be in favor of it, but I know this is kind of a low-income neighborhood.”
Whether or not a mass of failed systems will prompt the need for a sewer line is one of the things Phillips said she hopes to learn from the inspections.
Septic tanks and Ohio law
Concerns about septic tank failures and the possible negative health effects prompted recent updates to Ohio’s law. Through Senate Bill 110 — passed in June 2010 — many of the changes took effect in 2010, and more will begin in 2012.
This included requiring extensive permits and certifications by septic tank installers and cleaners, and it mandates homeowners must connect to a sewer line once it becomes available in their neighborhood.
A study led by the Ohio Department of Health showed many of the state’s systems are at risk for failing. The study reported 23 percent — or 250,000 — of the sewage systems in place today are failing, and another 13 percent are projected to fail within the next five years.
In particular, the southwest region of Ohio — which includes Middletown — has the largest concentration of septic tanks in the state at 33 percent. It also had the largest number of expected failures, according to the study.
The state study cited age of the system, poor design and space limitations as the most common reasons for a system failure.
At the time of the report, only about 8 percent of Ohio’s septic systems were part of an inspection program. Local inspection fees ranged from $5 to $360, with the most common fee being $30. However, the study found most fees did not cover all program costs.
After the inspection
Middletown sanitarians will look for above-ground signs of seepage, which includes visible sewage, Phillips said.
Homeowners will receive the report along with an invoice for the $40 fee.
Phillips said the inspections will better equip Middletown to deal with septic system issues.
“Most of the time people only think about their system when it fails. I think instead of being reactive, let’s be proactive — let’s get people information about the law, about maintenance and let’s see if there is a sewer line available to tap into,” Phillips said.
Residents with questions about the inspections can call the health department at (513) 425-7853 or (513) 425-1821.
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