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Objective: To ensure that each and every lot within a subdivision that is either sold or offered for sale (in areas not served by a sanitary sewerage system) has adequate soils, area and topography necessary to support the proper function of an individual household waste water disposal system based upon appropriate sizing and design.
Legal Authority: Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29-03
Methodology: If 10 or more lots, OEPA evaluates for centralized sewer system first, particularly if the lots are 1-5 acres in size. If larger lots are planned, consult with OEPA to decide is the developer should start with OEPA.
If OEPA decides a centralized sewer system is not feasible, then have the developer submit a lot split application form and be sure that a detailed plot plan is attached. Steps for approval are as follows:
1. Arrange a pre-development conference for an information consultation to discuss the potential for land
use development with individual sewage disposal systems.
2. Ohio EPA Review of the proposed subdivision is required by local and state law/rule. This review is
conducted by the OEPA. Requests for this review should be directed to OEPA Southeast District, 2195
Front Street, Logan, Ohio 43138 (Phone: 740-385-8501). Individual sewage disposal systems may not
be utilized within the new subdivision unless it is considered "impracticable and inadvisable" by thee
OEPA for the subdivision to be served by a central sewerage system. A finding that centralized sewers
are "impracticable and inadvisable" does not necessarily infer that individual sewage disposal systems
are suitable for the site.
3. A review of the soils present in the proposed subdivision must be completed by the developer and a
report submitted to the health department. Test holes are a necessary requirement in the soils report.
The review must include the following elements:
A. Soils description as per the standards of the National Cooperative Soil Survey;
B. Description of test holes and their locations to verify current soil mapping; and
C. Description of soil limitations, if any.
The soil survey should be conducted by a private certified professional or public agency soil scientist.
4. A post-report conference will be held to discuss the results of the OEPA review and the soils analysis.
At this session, it will be determined if it is feasible to serve the proposed subdivision with individual
sewage systems. The type, location, and size of the systems will also be discussed. Allowable system
designs are those permitted by the Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 3701-29 or systems designed by
a registered engineer, surveyor, or certified soil scientist. Whichever is more stringent.
5. The developer must submit a subdivision plan drawn to suitable scale to the health department. The
purpose of the plan is to demonstrate at least one way each lot may be suitably developed. A fee as set
by the Environmental Health Division fee schedule is required at the time the plans are submitted. The
plan must include the following:
A. Total land area to be used
B. Location and size of all lots, including future phases of the project
C. Lot numbering scheme
D. North arrow
E. Engineer’s seal
F. Test hole locations
G. Soil boundaries
H. Proposed or existing:
1. Topography in 10 foot contour intervals
2. Individual sewage systems and replacement areas, including curtain drains
3. Homes (noting number of bedrooms)
4. Driveways, trails, walkways, etc.
5. Water supply sources and water lines
6. Storm water drains
7. Bedrock outcrops
8. Easements and stated purpose
9. Bodies of water, creeks, natural waterways or drains
6. A plan review will be conducted that includes, but not limited to, the following:
A. Ensure that systems are appropriately sized and designed;
B. Replacement area is available for each lot;
C. Soil limitations are overcome;
D. System trenches are not present on slopes exceeding 15%;
E. Storm drainage from curtain drains, footer drains, swales, etc., is routed to minimize
nuisances and avoid system flooding;
F. System trenches are installed in virgin ground and are located on hard packed areas;
G. Ensure that treatment tanks are reasonably accessible for pumping;
H. Minimum isolation distances are adhered to, i.e., sewage system components and
replacement areas are as follows:
1. 100 feet from any water supply source (treatment tanks are permitted at 50 feet
minimum);
2. 10 feet from any water service line;
3. 10 feet from any driveway;
4. 20 feet from building;
5. 10 feet from any lot line or right of way;
6. 25 feet from any downhill lot line or right of way (0-2% slope);
7. 50 feet from any downhill lot line or right of way (2-6% slope);
8. 100 feet from any downhill lot line or right of way (6+% slope);
9. 25 feet from any steep drop offs.
I. System trenches are separated by 8 feet (6 foot centers for a 2 foot wide trench) and total
amount of leaching lines required must be split into two equal fields with a minimum of
25 feet between fields.
7. Upon favorable staff review, the plan will be submitted to the Adams County Board of Health for
subdivision approval. The Board meets once a month on the second Wednesday. The approval
when given is valid for one year. If no construction has begun by that date, or if substantial changes
have been made in the subdivision layout, the approval is void. Further, the Board of Health approval
is typically conditioned on the list of stipulations. More stipulations may be added if conditions so
warrant.
8. Lot development may proceed subsequent to Board of Health approval. The developer, owner or
installer must obtain a permit to install for each lot prior to construction starting.
For Preliminary Information to be Submitted to Evaluate Sewage Disposal Systems for Proposed Subdivisions click here!