Acceptable Operation and Maintenance

The Acceptable Operation and Maintenance Program (AO&M) rewards homeowners for consistently maintaining their sewage treatment systems. Clermont County Public Health realizes that most homeowners are responsible system operators who take care of their on-site systems in an acceptable manner.

How Do I Become an AO&M Operator?

This designation is available to residential and small-flow commercial system operators, allowing the term of the operation permit to be doubled. A system operator that receives a “pass” on two consecutive assessments will be designated an AO&M operator and issued an operation permit that is in effect for twice as long as usual.

An AO&M operator that maintains a system with mechanical components will be issued a 38-month permit, and an operator that maintains a system without any mechanical components will be issued a 76-month permit. Due to the extended operation permit, the next regularly scheduled assessment will be skipped, and no fee will be generated. An operator will earn the AO&M designation when they meet the following conditions:

    1. The system must be found in good working order under Clermont County Public Health’s regular assessment criteria with no code violations cited for two consecutive assessments.
    2. No sewage can be found reaching the surface of the ground.
    3. Clear access to all components and discharge points must always be maintained.
    4. All components must work correctly and be easily accessible with no heavy objects on the lids.
    5. The lids are not broken or missing.

What Can Cause My AO&M Designation to be Revoked?

Whenever a home changes owners, the AO&M designation will be voided. Once the new operator meets the requirements outlined above, the designation can be reinstated, and the extended operation permit can be issued.

If public health staff are conducting a complaint investigation, accessory structure inspection, loan inspection, or are on site for any other reason and the system is failing, the AO&M designation will be voided. We will conduct regular assessments until the above conditions are met again. Systems in the Sewage Nuisance Abatement and Remediation Plan (SNARP) program are not eligible for this designation until the final system has been installed.

More Information

To read this regulation’s entire text, see Regulation 415 (Section 415-12 Operation and Maintenance, Operation Permit Program).