Columbus Public Health licenses and inspects household sewage treatment systems to verify systems are being operated and maintained according to state and local code. Through an agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Columbus Public Health also performs compliance inspections for Semi-Public Sewage Treatment Systems. 

Properties needing to install, replace or alter an existing sewage treatment system OR install a new sewage treatment system should contact 614-645-7005 or email EH@columbus.gov to ensure the property is in Columbus Public Health's jurisdiction and to confirm there is no accessible sanitary sewer in the area. Once confirmed, the application to install/replace/alter will be mailed or emailed to the applicant/owner so they can review and submit the completed application with applicable payment.

If the application is approved, Columbus Public Health will notify applicant/owner about how to pay and pull the permit-to-install.

Other services and applications associated with sewage treatment systems include:

• Columbus Public Health Lot Split Review Application – Current Fee $150 per new lot
• Sewage Treatment System Abandonment Application – Current Fee $150
• Sewage Treatment System Evaluation Application – Current Fee $150

• For the most recent list of approved haulers, installers and service providers in Columbus and Worthington, contact 614-645-5588 or email EHCompliance@columbus.gov
• For more information about existing records for a property or septic, contact 614-645-7005 or email EHRecords@columbus.gov

• Ohio Department of Health Sewage Treatment System Program
• Environmental Protection Agency Septic Education

Sewage treatment system haulers, installers and providers need to be registered and approved with the Ohio Department of Health for each category of work being performed. Once registered with the state, they need to be licensed with each local health department/jurisdiction where they’re performing work. For information about being licensed locally with Columbus Public Health, contact 614-645-7005.

Currently there is a $110 fee for the application to be a hauler, installer and provider. For each hauler truck there is an additional $50 fee for each truck being registered. 

General Sewage Complaints

• Submit Online – www.columbus.gov/311 
• Email – 311@Columbus.gov
• Call – (614) 645-3111

The STEP Program is specifically for City of Columbus residents who currently have a Household Sewage Treatment System (HSTS) but now have accessible sanitary sewer available for connection. When a homeowner is required to connect to a city sanitary sewer, there are several expenses involved, including fees to the city and paying a sewer contractor to remove the home's existing septic tank and install a connection to the city sewer. The City of Columbus has developed this voluntary no-interest loan program to assist homeowners with these expenses.

Owners of single-family or duplex houses that are served by an existing septic system and are located in the City of Columbus.

• The homeowner must complete an application (available upon request) and submit the completed application to: Septic Tank Elimination Loan Program Coordinator, Division of Sewerage and Drainage, 1250 Fairwood Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206 OR email the completed application to STEP@Columbus.gov
• For additional information or to see if your property is eligible for the program, please call 614-645-6754 or email STEP@Columbus.gov

• To see if your neighborhood has a current or future HSTS Elimination Project planned in the City of Columbus, visit https://www.columbus.gov/Business-Development/Capital-Improvement-Projects/Neighborhood-Sewer-CIPs.
  
  
• If your property is located in a county township with City of Columbus sanitary sewer asset in close proximity of your property, in order to participate in the STEP Program, your property must be in the City of Columbus. For information about annexing your property to Columbus, visit https://www.columbus.gov/Business-Development/Building-Zoning-Services/Boards-and-Commissions/Annexation-Overview-Page.  

Program Coordinator at Columbus Public Health: 614-645-6754

Stormwater & Regulatory Management Section: step@columbus.gov