How Well Are Sewage Disposal Systems Working in Northeast Ohio

This final report presents the results of the field survey of home sewage disposal systems (HSDS) and the file review of inspection records for semi-public sewage disposal systems within the seven county study area.  NOACA, in collaboration with a Project Oversight Committee, which included representation from each of the seven county health districts, provided project coordination and administration.  This report is being distributed according to a dissemination schedule, which includes forwarding a copy of this report to each of the county planning commissions who directly work with the county health departments and prospective homeowners.

This effort grew out of a discussion involving NOACA; the Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization (NEFCO), its sister planning agency in Akron; and the health departments of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties that were collaborating on an update to the region's water quality management plan.  In their review of policy and practices concerning the management of HSDS, it became clear that there was a critical need for reliable information on the relative performance of different types of HSDS and SPSDS in use in Northeast Ohio and on factors that affect performance.  This study was undertaken in response to that need and could not have been accomplished without the active involvement and guidance the health department officials, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Section I of this report provides an introduction and an overview of the study and the issues the study addresses.  Section 2 presents the methodology and results of the survey of On-Lot HSDS.  Section 3 presents the methodology and results of the survey of Off-Lot HSDS.  Section 4 presents the methodology and results of the SPSDS survey.  More detailed documentation of the study is provided in the appendices.

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission through the Lake Erie Protection Fund provided funding for this project.

Please contact Pamela L. Davis by email or at (216) 241-2414 Ext. 284.