Board of health mailing pumping reminders

Staff report

Smith township

Mahoning County District Board of Health began mailing pumping reminders this week to 919 township residences with septic systems that have not been pumped in the last three years.

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

Septic tanks should be pumped at different intervals depending on household size and water usage.

On average, the ideal frequency is every three years.

Homeowners will receive a list of licensed pumpers with their reminder letter.

Pumpers notify the health board when they pump a septic tank, and the board uses the information to keep track of when a septic system was last pumped, Stefanak added.

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

More information can be found at www.mahoninghealth.org.