Ohio Administrative Code
Title 3701 - Department of Health - Administration and Director
Chapter 3701-29 - Household Sewage Treatment Systems
Section 3701-29-21 - STS abandonment

Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 3701-29-21

Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024

(A) A STS or applicable component of a STS shall be disconnected from the dwelling and properly abandoned when it is no longer in use due to connection to sanitary sewer, system replacement, the existence of a physical hazard or public health nuisance, change in the use of the lot, or as otherwise ordered by a board of health unless otherwise authorized by the board of health in compliance with paragraph (B) of this rule.

(B) The board of health having jurisdiction for a STS that is no longer used for sewage treatment may allow the STS or a portion of the STS to remain on the lot, provided the system is disconnected from the dwelling, is determined to not create a physical hazard or public health nuisance and its location is documented and retained by the board of health when:

(1) The use of a lot changes and the owner of the STS wishes to retain the system for future use; or
(a) If a system is retained for future use, the owner shall ensure that all openings into the system are properly secured against accidental or unauthorized entry.

(b) Upon reconnection of the STS, the board of health may require a permit for alteration of the system to ensure compliance with the rules of this chapter and prevent a public health nuisance.

(2) The owner of a system wishes to retain a STS or applicable component of a STS for uses other than sewage treatment.

(C) The owner of the system shall have the contents of all tanks, dosing tanks, pretreatment components, leach wells and cesspools, and any other component which may pose a collapse hazard pumped and removed by a registered septage hauler. If applicable, solid materials such as filter media, mechanical devices, and other STS components, shall be taken to an approved solid waste disposal facility or otherwise legally disposed or reused in a manner that prevents a public health nuisance and contamination of surface or ground water.

(D) Upon removal of their contents, tanks, dosing tanks, pretreatment components, leach wells and cesspools, and any other component of the STS shall be removed or properly abandoned by one of the following methods:

(1) The top shall either be completely removed or collapsed and at least one side collapsed to prevent containment of water in the abandoned tank or component. The resulting void shall be filled to the ground surface with inert and nonhazardous materials such as gravel or other coarse aggregate, or soil in an amount and manner that compensates for settling and prevents ponding of surface water; or

(2) The tank or component shall be completely filled with compacted inert material of sufficient strength and volume to prevent settling, collection of water, and/or collapse. All access points to the abandoned tank or component must be permanently secured or sealed.

(E) The board of health may require a permit for abandonment of a STS and establish a permit fee in accordance with paragraph (D)(12) of rule 3701-29-05 of the Administrative Code.

(F) Any person who abandons a STS shall obtain a permit and inspection, if required by the board of health. The board of health shall be notified in writing within thirty days that the STS has been properly abandoned, and shall provide the following information on a form prescribed by the director to be retained by the board of health:

(1) The owner and location of the abandoned STS and the date of abandonment;

(2) The name of the registered septage hauler that removed the contents of the tanks, dosing tanks, and/or pretreatment components; and

(3) The name of the person or registered installer that performed the STS abandonment and the manner in which the tanks, dosing tanks, and/or pretreatment components were abandoned or removed.

Replaces: 3701-29-18

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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