TRUMBULL COUNTY Sanitary engineer sees demand for sewer lines

Many septic systems fail pre-sale inspections.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
VIENNA -- New health department regulations will likely prompt more and more county residents to request sewer lines in their neighborhoods, Trumbull County sanitary engineer Gary Newbrough says.
On Thursday, Trumbull County commissioners accepted the petition of 35 Liberty property owners asking for sewers to homes on March Avenue and on state Route 304 between March Avenue and Sampson Drive.
This is the second sewer petition to be completed in the last several weeks. A third is being contemplated by residents of Scott Street in Newton Township, officials say.
"With the new regulations on off-lot septic systems, we are going to see a lot more people coming in here," Newbrough said.
Starting last year, the health department began to require annual inspections of off-lot septic systems and mandatory septic system inspections before homes are sold.
Off-lot systems, which are used on smaller properties and typically discharge into roadside ditches, are responsible for sanitary problems in many parts of the county, health commissioner Dr. James Enyeart said.
Result of inspections
He said 90 percent of the off-lot systems have failed pre-sale inspection since the program began.
It can cost more than $10,000 to replace an older off-lot septic system with a one that meets new health department standards, he said.
Enyeart said the health department didn't know the regulations passed last year would prompt people to pursue sewers for their homes, but he's pleased that it has.
"I think it is great," he said.
After receiving a petition, the sanitary engineer's office evaluates how much it will cost to build the sewer line and presents the information at a hearing with county commissioners. Residents then are asked to commit to the project.
Property owners pay for sewer lines that are built in this manner through assessments. At least 50 percent of owners must sign on for the project to go ahead, although everyone in reach of a new sewer line is required to tie in and pay.