Many people watch the technician when they are conducting an Operation Permit Assessment and wonder, “What on earth are they looking for?!”

For background, the Clermont County Board of Health has authority under the Ohio Administrative Code to conduct inspection of septic systems. Rule 3701-29-23 verifies compliance and enforcement. When visiting your home for an inspection, our inspectors will drive vehicles marked with the Clermont County Public Health logo and wear photo ID badges.

First and foremost, the technician is looking for obvious signs of failure, which is sewage or gray water on the surface of the ground. If these problems aren’t found, then the technician moves on to assess how the system is operating and if all the components are in good working condition:

• If possible, the tank is located as well as the other parts of the treatment system.
• Electrical components are assessed and engaged if possible.
• Lids and risers are checked for structural integrity.
• The inlet and outlet baffles are checked if access is available to look at them.
• Discharge pipes for effluent or curtain drains are checked to be sure they are free flowing.
• Chlorinators are assessed for proper operation and structural integrity.

Click here for examples of septic system failures and code violations.

If the home has an Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU), there are several other items to check:

• ATUs frequently have gravel filters following the main tank. These filters are assessed.
• If sewage is bypassing the filter, the owner is directed to have the filter pumped and cleaned. Most manufacturers recommend doing this every six months and Public Health recommends it at least annually.

Click here for examples of ATU failures and repairs. 

Sometimes it seems as though the technician conducting your assessment is wandering aimlessly around your property, but they are hard at work! 

They will walk your yard looking for discharge that may be escaping your system. For instance, gray water discharge that should go into the system would be laundry, sink, or shower water. These illicit discharges are usually nowhere near the on-site septic system, and there is a good possibility that the owner doesn’t even know they exist.

If it is the first time your system is being assessed, there is the possibility that the technician is looking for your system components. Past experience has taught us where to start looking, but your help is always welcome as a timesaver. Please don’t be afraid to ask the technician if you can help them! They appreciate your help when it’s available. Sometimes, even with your help, the technician still won’t be able to find all the components of your system. In these cases, as long as they don’t find any problems, your system will be considered to be operating correctly.

If you have any other questions about the Operation Permit Program, please contact us.