MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Health Department discussed sewage and water systems, as well as a solid waste nuisance, at its meeting Wednesday evening.
Because a continuing solid waste nuisance at 11337 Armentrout Road in Berlin Township had not shown sufficient improvement, Brian Benick, director of environmental health, requested the Knox County assistant prosecutor to file the appropriate documents with Knox County Common Pleas Court.
The board also took up the case of a sewage and water systems serving 21241 Coshocton Road. An old farmhouse on the property burned several years ago; the owner removed that structure and brought a double-wide onto the property. A permit was obtained in September for a replacement sewage treatment system and for alterations to an existing well.
Benick reported that work on the systems was only partially complete, and the owners were living in the double-wide. The board approved a 21-day order to correct the situation.
The board conducted a survey of sewage treatment systems in Bladensburg. Most of the structures in the village were constructed before the advent of indoor plumbing, and although some systems have been updated, most are the ones originally installed. Most are crude and unmaintained systems that pose a dangerous threat with waste on the ground surface and running into Wakatomica Creek. The board voted to designate the area as a solid waste nuisance so that action could be taken. The designation would allow funding options to be made available for installation of a sewer system.
Benick said the situation is not a reflection on the residents, but a situation brought about by the houses being so old.
Health Commissioner Dennis Murray said the state budget had finally been passed, and there was good news and bad news. The best news, Murray said, was that the Watch Me Grow program did not lose any more funding, and no further reductions would be needed.
“I also want to make clear that we are not a part of the 9 percent budget reductions being mandated by the county,” Murray said “Our funding is a totally different thing.”
