Board mails septic pumping reminders

AUSTINTOWN — The Mahoning County District Board of Health has started mailing pumping reminders to 2,018 Milton, Berlin, Ellsworth and Smith township residents with septic systems.

“There is no law that requires homeowners to get their septic tanks pumped,” said Matthew Stefanak, county health commissioner. “But reminding homeowners to get their septic systems serviced regularly can save them thousands of dollars in repair costs.”

According to health board records, 440 households in Milton Township, 448 households in Berlin Township, 429 households in Ellsworth Township and 701 households in Smith Township rely on septic systems to treat their household sewage.

Septic tanks should be pumped at different intervals depending on household size and water usage. A four-person household with a 1,000-gallon septic tank should have its septic tank pumped every three years.

Homeowners will receive pumping interval recommendations and a list of licensed pumpers with their reminder letter. Pumpers notify the board when they pump a septic tank, and the board uses this information to keep track of when a septic system was last pumped.

The board’s reminder program has prompted thousands of homeowners in Mahoning County to do preventive maintenance on their septic systems since the program began in 1997.

More information about preventing water pollution from household sewage disposal systems can be found on the Health Reports/Advisories page of the District Board of Health Web site at www.mahoning-health.org.