MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – With 280 septic systems active in Middleburg Heights homes, city officials and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) remain vigilant to ensure they are in compliance with state regulations.
CCBH Registered Environmental Health Specialist Sarah Kevany and CCBH Program Manager Megan Conklin attended the Nov. 18 Middleburg Heights Streets Committee meeting and presented data from testing conducted over the summer.
The sewage systems of more than 30 homes were found to be faulty. Final notices of noncompliance were then sent to homeowners within 30 days.
These homes are located throughout the city, from Old Pleasant Valley Road to Main Street to Big Creek Parkway, as well as on Pearl Road, Sheldon Road, University Street and Webster Road.
CCBH information presented at the meeting indicates that hearings for 24 of those properties are scheduled for January 2025, “unless replacement efforts are made by then.”
“Even if a homeowner does everything right – no bleach is used, no one takes any chemo drugs (which kill good bacteria needed to properly process waste), etc. – some septic systems still don’t meet all the parameters,” Kevany said.
“In the long term, it is a much more water quality-friendly idea to connect to the (sanitary) sewer system whenever it is feasible and possible.”
She acknowledged that upgrading a failing septic system isn't easy, “because when a nuisance needs to be replaced, homeowners have to spend between $15,000 and $20,000,” with county financial assistance limited.
“We strongly encourage Middleburg Heights to really look at some of the areas that could be drained, where it makes sense and where there is a lot of pollution,” Kevany said.
She suggested the city could work with Parma to build a sewer system in one of both cities' septic nuisance areas.
City officials said they might consider it depending on how preliminary discussions with Parma go.
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