In January 2015, the Ohio Department of Health adopted new rules regarding household sewage disposal systems (HSTS) in Ohio. These rules require each health department across the state to implement a local Operation & Maintenance Program to monitor and ensure the proper function of sewage systems in their county.

The O&M Program will require every HSTS in the county to have an O&M Permit. Permits will ensure systems are monitored and maintained on a regular basis so that failing systems may be identified and brought into compliance. A sewage system that is not working properly can release bacteria, viruses and chemicals into the groundwater and local waterways. This increases a risk of spreading diseases in our community and polluting drinking water and the environment.

Fulton County has nearly 7,600 household sewage treatment systems that are not connected to a municipal sewer system. Each of these will need to be brought into the program.

By law, revenue generated from the permit fees can only be used to cover costs associated with the Fulton County Health Department's permitting and monitoring of household sewage treatment systems. The permit fees pay staff to monitor permits for every property that has a HSTS in the county.