Household sewage treatment systems (HSTS) serve 1, 2, or 3-family dwellings and are used where connection to a sanitary sewer system is not feasible. Among other things, this program inspects potential new parcels to ensure enough area is available to install HSTS, reviews designs for new HSTS, inspects installation of HSTS, and provides operational permits for the continued use of HSTS.

Semi-Public Sewage Treatment Systems (STS) are privately-owned sewage systems that typically serve a small business. These businesses may be operated out of a home, garage or standalone building where a restroom is provided for customers or employees. These businesses may include, but are not limited to: places of assemblage, entertainment, recreation, education, correction, hospitalization, housing or employment.

Through a contract with Ohio EPA, the Delaware General Health District issues installation permits for Semi-Public STS that are sized at 1,000 gallons per day or less. Through another contract with the Ohio EPA, the Health District inspects and issues annual operation permits for all Semi-Public STS sized at 25,000 gallons per day or less.

Sanitarians inspect Semi-Public STS to ensure proper operation of the system and to protect the water quality and public health of the district. These inspections may include visual and/or operational inspections of tanks, alarms, switch components, discharge points, and absorption areas. If violations are found, sanitarians work with the property owner to ensure corrections are made to protect the public’s health and the environment.

Private Water Systems can include water wells, cisterns, springs and ponds. These systems are necessary in areas where a public water system is unavailable. The private water systems program reviews plans, inspects installations, and takes water samples to ensure that the water supply from private water systems is bacteriological acceptable for drinking.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are phytoplankton that can cause distress to animals, humans and the environment. Phytoplankton are broken into two categories: cyanobacteria and microalgae. Cyanobacteria, most commonly known as blue-green algae, produce cyanotoxins that can have adverse health effects to humans and animals. HABs occur when water becomes stagnant and has excess phosphorus and nitrogen. The Delaware General Health District works to identify public areas that may have HABs and alert the public of such situations.