Mon Feb 08 2010
by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Summit County -- Home-owners with well or septic systems in several Summit County cities are required to have a new inspection prior to selling their houses, effective Sept. 1.
The Summit County Board of Health decided during a May 8 meeting to require the testing to ensure water in septic or well systems complies with county requirements and to avoid risks toward the public's health.
Until September, the test is only voluntary before selling a home, according to Tallmadge Building Inspector Bill Allen.
Cities that fall under the new requirement in Summit County's jurisdiction include Tallmadge, Twinsburg, Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls, Hudson, Stow, Fairlawn, Green, Macedonia and New Franklin.
Ryan Pruett, supervisor of water quality programs for the Summit County General Health District, said "any well used as a primary water source [for the home] is included in this [requirement]."
The mandate would not apply to wells that are only used for practices like irrigation, said Pruett.
There are seven homes registered as having septic or well systems with the Tallmadge Water and Sewer Department.
There is a district fee for the presale real estate evaluation of $275 for a private water system and a household sewage system, according to the Summit County Health Department Web site.
A fee for just the private water system is $150 and there is a $250 fee for just the household sewage system, which all include tests on water samples.
Allen said he feels it is a good idea to have a mandatory test on the water systems before selling a home.
"After well and septic systems have been in awhile, they need some care and maintenance. Someone new buying a home may not be aware of that," he said.
All private water systems and sewage treatment systems will need to be inspected by a water system evaluator or a representative of the Health Commissioner.
They will inform the home-owner and those interested in purchasing the home if the system is registered and passes inspection with the Ohio Department of Health.
The water samples that are collected will be tested to determine the presence of coliform bacteria, nitrates or other contaminants.
If the inspection and samples show a threat to the public's health or if corrections need to be made, the Summit County Health Department will issue a time frame for the repairs to be made.
If the homeowner does not get the inspection before the house is transferred to a new owner, or there are repairs that need to be made before the transfer, there will be a fee for the former homeowner.
For more information and additional fee costs, visit the Summit County Health Department's Web page at www.schd.org or call 330-923-4891.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3911
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Hudsonhubtimes.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications