Household Sewage Treatment Systems (HSTS)

Household Sewage

Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) inspects, monitors, and issues permits for over 24,000 household sewage treatment systems (like septic systems) in Lorain County. LCPH’s water quality program helps protect local streams, rivers, and other watersheds of Lake Erie. LCPH also helps educate owners on how to take care of their household sewage treatment systems.

Contact Lorain County Public Health at 440-322-6367 with questions about household sewage treatment systems. Click here to report a septic or sewage issue.

HSTS Grant Program

LCPH has a Grant Program to assist homeowners who lack the financial resources to replace failing household Sewage Treatment Systems (STS), especially those cases that pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of the occupant, the public, and the environment. Funding may also be used to assist homeowners that need to connect to an existing sanitary sewer and properly abandon their STS.

Funding availability is limited, time sensitive, and requires specific income criteria. Please contact Jill Lis at jlis@loraincountyhealth.com, or 440-322-6367, to ask about funding availability, general program questions, and applications.

Operation & Maintenance Program (O&M)

The O&M program protects water quality by tracking and monitoring the proper operation and maintenance of household sewage treatment systems (STS) or “septic systems”. LCPH is responsible for overseeing approximately 20,000 STS across Lorain County. This program is required by the State of Ohio and ensures these systems are not harmful to the environment.

Program Commonly Asked Questions

How to Properly Maintain your Sewage Treatment System