OWS Install/Repair system forms:
OWS Application Form W/Plot Plan
Use Permit Forms Use Permit Forms
Use Permit Inspection Instructions
Contractors, Cleaners, Engineers:
Other:
Summit County's population has increased dramatically over the past 25 years, placing a growing demand on the County's infrastructures.
Although public sewage treatment facilities serve the majority of Summit County residents, many others must rely on Onsite Wastewater Systems (OWS).
Such systems, if constructed and maintained properly, provide a reliable and efficient means of wastewater treatment and disposal at a relatively low cost.
In order to ensure the aesthetic integrity of an area surrounding an OWS, and to prevent health hazards presented by a malfunctioning OWS, the Environmental Health Department conducts inspections and issues permits for all new OWS in Summit County.
Maintaining your Onsite Wastewater System
Installation of the average 4 bedroom OWS costs around $20,000. The average life for these systems is 30 years, but can vary from 40+ years to only 10 years. The best way to make sure your system lasts as long as possible is to properly maintain it. Simple practices such as proper pumping, fixing of leaking fixtures, and not over occupying a home, can significantly lengthen the life of your system.
Check out these documents for more information: Pumping Frequency
Operation & Maintenance Manual
Use Permits (aka Property Transaction or Construction Inspections)
Effective on or after January 01, 2009, prior to the sale and/or major remodel of a property served by one or more Onsite Wastewater Systems , the seller(s) or current owner(s) of the property shall obtain an OWS use permit for each system on the property.
Click here to learn more.
Septic Contractors/Installers must be licensed by the Summit County Environmental Health Department.
Tests may be taken during regular business hours Monday-Friday. The test is open book, taken from the OWS Regulations. The cost for testing is $77.00; licensing fees are $25.00 and a copy of the regulations can be purchased for $18.50.
You may also download the regulations from the links on this page to save $18.50. Testing takes, on average, 3 hours. Licenses are renewed annually for a fee of $10.00. If your license expires the test must be retaken.
Homeowners may also install their own systems if the test is taken and passed. Fees for testing are the same as for contractors, however, homeowners are testing to install their own system only. No license card is issued and they are not eligible to install systems other than their own.
The Environmental Health Department conducts inspections of existing water wells for the purposes of real estate transactions upon request by the homeowner, real estate agent or lender. You can download an inspection form here.
For more detailed information on OWS, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual for OWS.
The Summit County Individual Sewage Disposal System Regulations require that when a property served by an Onsite Wastewater system is connected to a public sewage treatment works service, the septic tank shall be properly abandoned within 180 days of the connection.
The requirements for abandonment of the septic tank are as follows:
The Summit County Environmental Health Department shall be provided with documentation of the pumping of the septic tank and a statement outlining how the tank was abandoned.