Here is a list of resources that will help you understand how a Household Sewage Treatment System (HSTS) operates, how to maintain it, and how to get help if you need financial assistance.
Get Financial Help
There are programs that provide income-based assistance for the repair and replacement of failing household sewage treatment systems.
Visit your county website for more information and eligibility guidelines. Here are a links to relevant websites and, where available, direct links to applications to apply for assistance.
- Hocking County Health Department
- Meigs County Health Department
- Perry County Health Department
- Vinton County Health Department
- Athens County Health Department
- Morgan County Health Department
- Washington County Health Department
- EPA Septic Smart
- Ohio Department of Health
Septic Systems 101
These videos will give you a better understanding of how an HSTS operates and how to care for it.
Chapter 1: Intro and Sewage Overview
Chapter 2: System Basics and Soil
Chapter 3: Types of Septic Systems
Chapter 4: System Care and Maintenance
Chapter 5: System Inspections
Septic Owner Survey
If you are an Ohio resident who has a home septic system, please consider filling out this quick survey that will help us as we seek solutions for this problem.
All information received will be kept anonymous.
Biosolids 101
Biosolids are a product of the wastewater treatment process. During wastewater treatment the liquids are separated from the solids. Those solids are then treated physically and chemically to produce a semisolid, nutrient-rich product known as biosolids.
Here are some key facts about biosolids
- Biosolids for beneficial use – for example, application to agricultural land and reclamation sites like abandoned mine lands – must meet federal and state requirements. Biosolids also may be disposed of by incineration, landfilling, or other forms of surface disposal.
- Biosolids must be processed, handled, and applied to land in a manner that minimizes potential risk to human health. There are requirements and guidance in place to help ensure this happens.
- Biosolids are divided into “Exceptional Quality” and “Class B” designations based on treatment methods.
- Exceptional Quality Biosolids meet the most stringent pollutant, pathogen and vector attraction reduction requirements and may be purchased by the public from hardware stores, home and garden centers or their local wastewater treatment plant.
- Class B Biosolids may contain pathogens and require site evaluation and permits to land apply. Restrictions that allow time for pathogen degradation must be followed for harvesting crops and turf, for grazing of animals, and public contact.
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