New sewage program goes into effect Jan. 1 for Knox County homeowners

After the first of the year, the Knox County Health Department will begin to administer a new program for operation and maintenance of all Knox County households with their own septic systems.

The process is no small task, involving more than 18,000 households. It’s part of a statewide update of household sewage rules that was enacted by the Ohio Legislature in 2015 – the first update in nearly 40 years.

The rules establish new modern standards for system construction, alteration and maintenance when a septic system fails or breaks and must be altered or replaced, or a when a new system is installed. The new rules also mandate all homeowners obtain a permit to operate their septic systems and puts in place a routine assessment and maintenance program to be completed for each system every 10 years. (read more)