Home Sewage Treatment Systems

In order to simplify and reduce confusion with the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) program for homeowners with a Household Sewer Treatment System (HSTS), the Seneca County General Health District (SCGHD) is changing the manner in which homeowners will be notified that their HSTS require their annual or biannual inspection as outlined in their O&M permits.

Previously, for HSTS’s that required biannual inspections, reminders were sent to the homeowner at specific six-month intervals, and systems requiring annual inspections were sent at specific 12 month intervals. Included with the reminders were instructions on what components required inspection, if a registered service provider is required, and finally the timeframe in which they were to be completed and reports of inspection returned to SCGHD. If the inspection was not complete and reports not received within the timeframe, late fees would be assessed, and if needed, the SCGHD would complete the inspection via registered service provider, resulting in additional charges to the homeowner.

Starting with 2018, homeowners with systems that require biannual inspections will be notified in a first-half/second-half manner. Reminders will be sent to these homeowners in January for their first half inspection, and July for their second half inspection. Just as before, the homeowner will be notified which components require inspection and if a service provider is required to perform these inspections. For homeowners who require annual inspections to their system, they will also be notified in a first-half/second-half manner but will only be sent a reminder once a year in the first or second half.
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For homeowners with biannual inspections, the first-half inspection must be completed, and reports received in this office or postmarked no later than July 15, 2020. Second-half inspections must be completed, and reports received in this office or postmarked no later than January 15, 2021. Homeowners with annual inspections required in the first-half must have inspections completed and reports received or postmarked no later than July 15, 2020. Homeowners with annual inspections due in the second-half must have inspections completed and reports received or postmarked no later than January 15, 2021.

If the homeowner fails to complete and have the reports of inspection sent to SCGHD within the timeframe provided, a registered Service Provider will be contracted by the SCGHD for the purpose of conducting the required service, The property owner will then be charged the Service Provider fee plus a fee from the SCGHD, which will be double the Service Provider contracted amount. In addition to these charges, a late fee will also apply for failure to report.

The key thing for homeowners to remember is that the reminders are a “courtesy” from SCGHD and will not necessarily arrive the month that service to the HSTS is due, so homeowners must assume responsibility for getting service done when required – mark your calendars!

Should homeowners have any questions regarding the updated O&M reporting policies, please contact Matt Beckman (ext. 331) or Laura Young (ext. 325) of the Environmental Health Division.

The Seneca County General Health District(SCGHD) is beginning the process of renewing the Operation and Maintenance permits that were purchased in 2015. These permits have a 5 year effective time frame and are now requiring renewal, the renewal fee is $175 and the permit is good for an additional 5 years. If renewal fee is not paid and permit returned inspections will continue to be required and appropriate penalties will be imposed.