Louisville concerned about failing septic systems – Massillon Independent

Officials are becoming concerned about some failing household septic systems in neighboring Nimishillen Township.

LOUISVILLE Louisville officials are expressing concern about failing septic systems at a cluster of homes in neighboring Nimishillen Township.

While the city has a sanitary sewer trunk line near the area of Ravenna Avenue and Brookside Street NE, no one is rushing to have the affected homes connected.

"We have sanitary sewer directly across the street from these homes," City Manager E. Thomas Ault said. "Eventually these people will need sanitary sewer. There will be some ongoing discussions on this. We are not looking to impose anything on them. The septics are leeching into Louisville. We are getting the problem."

While the identifiedproperties with the failing septic systems are on the west side of Ravenna Avenue NE, the city's sewer line is on the east side of the street, which also is state Route 44.

The townshiphomeowners "want no part of annexation," Ault said. "I don't want to get the township trustees all fired up. We have not had any discussions with the township on this topic yet. Typically, when properties are contiguous, we do consider annexation. We are willing to work with the township to resolve this in a reasonable way."

Health concerns

Officials with the Stark County Health Department acknowledge there are some failing septic systems in the area.

"We have to figure out how we are going to take care of these issues," said Paul DePasquale, the agency's environmental health director.

"We are working with interested parties to figure out what is the best option. We are looking for viable options for these homeowners. Anytime untreated septic (waste) rises to the surface of the ground, it is considered a public health nuisance."

At a recent work session, city officials were briefed on the status of the septic system concern. Three of the six properties apparently have ample space to install new septic systems. However, the other three properties are too small to accommodate new septic systems.

"This whole area, for more than a decade, the Stark County Health Department has been scrutinizing because of failing septic systems," City Councilman Richard Guiley said. "We are being told the Stark County Health Department is taking a stronger approach."

Township's view

The possibility of losing the properties to the city through annexation looms, said Nimishillen Township Trustee Todd Bosley.

"It is our hope they can replace their septic systems without tying into the expensive sewage system of Louisville," Bosley said. "Their monthly rates are high. And I don't see them going down in the future."

For the homes with the smaller lots, Bosley suggested installing something like a household sewage treatment system.

"You would have to put in an aeration system," he said. "It is clean water that comes out. That is going to be a lot less expensive to the residents."

When told that a Health Department sanitarian had a discussion with a representative of Louisville about the septic system concern, Bosley took issue.

"At no time was I ever contacted about this matter," Bosley said. "Not one time did we get a call. This whole thing is disappointing to me. It can solved without the city of Louisville being involved."

But at the moment, no action has been taken.

"We haven't ordered anything yet because we are still researching what will be the best solution for these homeowners," DePasquale said.

Connecting the Nimishillen Township properties to the Louisville sewer line on the east side of Ravenna Avenue NE might be cost prohibitive. Louisville officials extended a sewer trunk line northwardin this area recently to accommodate what was envisioned to be future development, possibly commercial.

"I believe that pipe is about 18 feet deep," Ault said. "You can't just connect each house into a sewer trunk line that deep. We don't know which direction this will go yet. We know the County Health Department will or has sent some notices to some people."

Reach Malcolm at 330-580-8305

or malcolm.hall@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: mhallREP

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