Dear Darke County Homeowner:
Recently the Darke County Health Department, with the support of the Stillwater River Watershed Project, received a 319 Grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. This is an educational grant to help homeowners learn more about septic system maintenance and ways to reduce pollution in the Stillwater River Watershed, which includes the Greenville Creek. This project involves the mapping of septic tanks and wells within the watershed over the next three years. This letter is to notify you that a project representative will be visiting your property to match the location of your septic tank to the permit on file with the Health Department. If you do not have a permit on file and/or we cannot locate your septic tank, we will map the location of your home.
The Ohio EPA Nonpoint Source Assessment concluded that 57% of the stream miles within the watershed were impaired, and septic systems were identified as a “source of known or suspected impact.” Septic tanks are designed to remove the solids from the liquids. However, over a period of time, a build-up of sludge remains in the tank which can clog the system and cause it to fail. If you do not maintain your septic system, problems can arise, including sewage surfacing on the ground, plumbing fixtures backing up, the spread of infection and disease, groundwater contamination, and pollution of receiving streams.
Keeping your septic system maintained will increase the life of your system, avoid costly repairs, and protect your family’s health. This grant may help save you money. If you have a failing septic system, cost share dollars or low interest loans will be available to qualifying individuals for installations or repairs. To allow for easy access to your septic tank, cost share dollars will be available for risers on a first come, first served basis to systems that lack them. If the Health Department would need to inspect the system at anytime, you will be required to have risers on your system. To qualify, you must submit an application along with a receipt that you recently had your septic tank pumped. We will hand out educational materials about this program as well as any available information pertaining to your particular system.
The intent of this project is not for enforcement or to upgrade working systems to current standards. However, if a septic system is found to be polluting the watershed or creating a nuisance, then the system will need to be brought into compliance. It is understood that no one wants to pollute; however, many are unaware of their systems and how to adequately treat their waste. Improving systems, keeping them maintained, and educating the public, will help to decrease pollution within the watershed. Together, we can make a difference!
Please contact the Health Department with any questions, concerns, or to set up an appointment to speak with one of our representatives at 548-4196, Environmental Division.
Thank You,
Roberta Broerman, R.S., M.P.H. Erika Wiggins
Director of Environmental Health Stillwater Watershed Project Coordinator