Health department investigates complaint on Belfast school sewer system
By
-
The Highland County Press
The Highland County Health Department is investigating a complaint regarding the existing septic sewerage system at the old Belfast school building in Jackson Township.
A letter from Kyle Arn, director of environmental health, has been sent to Jackson Township trustees Carey Michael, Chad Frazer and Brad Hart and fiscal officer Chris Michael. The township oversees the former school building.
"This office received a complaint on Nov. 15, 2011 regarding the existing septic system serving the Belfast schoolhouse, located at 2024 state Route 73, Hillsboro," Arn said. "The complaint stated that the existing septic system was nonfunctional and was discharging off-lot, and even though the school had been closed, the building was still being used on occasion. Based on this complaint, a site inspection was done on Nov. 15.
"At the time of the inspection, it appeared that the old sand filter beds that were a part of the original system were nonfunctional, and alterations were made to bypass these filter beds and as a result will allow untreated sewage to discharge into the creek on the neighboring property. This currently is a violation of the Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29-02 (F).
"This building must cease on being used, if wastewater is going to be generated," Arn said in his letter to the township. "If the intent is to continue using this building on occasion, an approved onsite sewage treatment system must be installed."
This week, Arn told The Highland County Press it is not the health department's intent to have the building closed or to force the cancellation of future events.
"The intent of the letter was to let them know there is a problem," Arn said, "and to look at possible options."
The township can continue to use the building, Arn said, but steps must be taken to correct the sewerage issue. He suggested the township may invest in a new on-site sewerage system or have portable toilets in place for future events.
He said he would be meeting with the trustees to consider possible solutions.[[In-content Ad]]
The Highland County Health Department is investigating a complaint regarding the existing septic sewerage system at the old Belfast school building in Jackson Township.
A letter from Kyle Arn, director of environmental health, has been sent to Jackson Township trustees Carey Michael, Chad Frazer and Brad Hart and fiscal officer Chris Michael. The township oversees the former school building.
"This office received a complaint on Nov. 15, 2011 regarding the existing septic system serving the Belfast schoolhouse, located at 2024 state Route 73, Hillsboro," Arn said. "The complaint stated that the existing septic system was nonfunctional and was discharging off-lot, and even though the school had been closed, the building was still being used on occasion. Based on this complaint, a site inspection was done on Nov. 15.
"At the time of the inspection, it appeared that the old sand filter beds that were a part of the original system were nonfunctional, and alterations were made to bypass these filter beds and as a result will allow untreated sewage to discharge into the creek on the neighboring property. This currently is a violation of the Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29-02 (F).
"This building must cease on being used, if wastewater is going to be generated," Arn said in his letter to the township. "If the intent is to continue using this building on occasion, an approved onsite sewage treatment system must be installed."
This week, Arn told The Highland County Press it is not the health department's intent to have the building closed or to force the cancellation of future events.
"The intent of the letter was to let them know there is a problem," Arn said, "and to look at possible options."
The township can continue to use the building, Arn said, but steps must be taken to correct the sewerage issue. He suggested the township may invest in a new on-site sewerage system or have portable toilets in place for future events.
He said he would be meeting with the trustees to consider possible solutions.[[In-content Ad]]