Thursday, August 5th, 2010

LIA seeks mandatory septic tank inspections

By Shelley Grieshop
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard

Lake Improvement Association member Tom Rampe, at right, argues with members of the Mercer County-Celina City Health Department Wednesday over his proposal to mandate septic system inspections for residents in the Grand Lake watershed. Rampe believes the plan is crucial to cleaning up the lake. The board took no action.

MERCER COUNTY - A member of the Lake Improvement Association wants health officials to require mandatory septic tank inspections for properties in the Grand Lake watershed.
Tom Rampe formally proposed the action during the monthly meeting of the Mercer County-Celina City Health Department on Wednesday. He believes inspections conducted on all septic tanks older than five years would help clean up the lake. He also suggested further inspections on a regular basis.
The board took no action on the request. It was noted, however, that failing septic systems total just 1.8 percent of the overall lake pollution problem, according to a state study on the lake.
Rampe has made the request to board members before. He suggests property owners hire licensed inspectors to perform the task. He also suggests health officials use tax records to eliminate from the inspection list property owners who are connected to a central sewage system.
"I believe we tried to assess that a few years ago to find out how many there were," board president Diane Lefeld said.
Sanitarian Michelle Kimmel said the health department's current focus is on education "as directed by the governor."
"We've been in contact with ODH (Ohio Department of Health) for ideas on how to address the issue," Kimmel said.
Her goal is to provide the public with information they need about proper sewage treatment, and the repair and replacement of failing septic systems, she said, admitting the problem won't be fixed overnight.
County health commissioner Dr. Philip Masser said the sewage system issue is important, but not as critical as others such as the amount of agriculture runoff polluting the lake. He believes officials must develop a solid plan built around priorities.
"... it all has to be part of a well-organized master plan," Masser said.
Kimmel and others spoke about the status of the ongoing Marion Township Sewer System project and how it will help eliminate the problem of sewage waste in the lake watershed.
Grant funding for eligible homeowners needing sewage system repair/replacement is still available, the sanitarians said. Anyone interested is asked to call the county's soil and water agency at 419-586-3289. More funds for sewage system upgrades likely will be available in the future due to the state and federal government's interest in the lake's deteriorating condition, officials said.
In other business, board members:
• Approved a 30-day sanitary sewer connection order for property at 6844 Janet Ave., Celina. The foreclosed property is now owned by First Financial Bank and is the last one in the Menchhofer Woods subdivision to be connected to the county's sewer system.
• Learned a medication pick-up day is being planned for Sept. 25 in the county. The health department is teaming up with the sheriff's office to help residents dispose of medications. Details will be released in coming weeks, officials said.
• Held an executive session to discuss various personnel issues. Following the session, board members approved hiring Deb Scheer as a full-time preparedness planner effective Sept. 7. Her annual salary was set at $45,000. Scheer, a communicable disease nurse, has been working for the health department on a part-time basis.
• Learned next month's meeting is set for noon Sept. 8.
Additional online stories on this date
CELINA - Reconstruction of Main Street is scheduled to begin Monday, and at least two blocks will be closed to all vehicles, Celina Planning and Community Development Director Kent Bryan said. [More]
AUGLAIZE COUNTY - A 39-year-old Minster woman was killed after she lost control of her van on Glynwood-New Knoxville Road near Wapakoneta on Wednesday afternoon. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Mercer County assistant prosecutor: Grand Lake under Ohio jurisdiction
MERCER COUNTY - The state - not the local health department - is responsible for Grand Lake and any public health nuisances caused by its polluted water.
WAPAKONETA - More than the weather was cooking Wednesday evening at the Auglaize County fair, as two homegrown chefs competed in the categories of Italian cuisine and any recipe using graham crackers.
CELINA - Each downtown business owner will be left with eight feet of sidewalk near their front door during a majority of the Main Street reconstruction project.
GRAND LAKE AREA - An Auglaize County official suspects a tornado may have caused millions of dollars in damage when a severe thunderstorm swept through the area on Wednesday.
Two local residents face felony charges following a lengthy investigation involving the March 2009 death of an 8-year-old Coldwater boy.
Justin M.
Participants requested to drive the course due to water advisory
The annual Bar Stool Open putt-putt golf tournament around Grand Lake will go forward rain or shine on Aug. 14, organizers say, despite a state advisory telling people not to take watercraft on the lake due to algae toxins.