Home Sewage Treatment Systems (HSTS)

Questions to ask about installing a HSTS

• Is the water table and bedrock sufficiently deep to allow for installation of tank and proper infiltration from the leach field?
• Does the permeability of the soil promote good infiltration of septic effluent?
• Is any public sewer service planned for your area?
• Does the lot meet minimum Health Department requirements, including isolation distance between the leach field and the well?
• Is the lot located in a flood hazard area?
• Is the lot large enough to permit relocation of the leach field if needed in the future?
   

For an existing HSTS

• Is there a detailed map showing the location of the septic tank and leach fields? You should keep a file with records of the installation and maintenance of existing septic systems. 
• Does the property have access to an adequate outlet for curtain drain discharge?
  (a curtain drain is a subsurface drainage tile around the leach field for draining excess water away so that normal infiltration can continue).

Maintenance and potential problems with HSTS

• Septic tanks need to have the solids removed from the bottom at a certain frequency, depending on the size of the tank and number of people living in the house.  Check your phone book for listings of businesses that pump septic systems.  This information should be included in your file.
• Poor soil drainage in your leach field and/or inadequate tank maintenance can cause sewage to back up into your house.  Most soils in Ohio are not suitable for septic leach fields.  However most systems were installed on inadequate soils because zoning regulations generally have not been stringent enough to protect water quality.  As a result, inadequately treated sewage from HST systems continues state-wide to degrade water quality.  The Ohio Department of Health has developed much more stringent regulations for new HST systems as of 2006.