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Middletown health department to use $150,000 federal grant for septic repairs; new inspection software and summer health fair planned
Summary
Staff told the board the department received a $150,000 Water Pollution Control Fund grant to help income‑qualified homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems; the board was also briefed on a planned August health fair and a May migration to the state’s Acela permitting platform.
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — At its March 11 meeting the Middletown Board of Health and Environment heard multiple program updates from department staff about a new federal grant for septic systems, a pending software migration for inspections and a community health fair planned for August.
The board’s environmental health director reported the department “did receive the Water Pollution Control Fund grant. It's a $150,000 grant,” and said the award will be used to assist homeowners with failing septic systems. The director said the grant is income‑based, limited to owner‑occupied residences, and that work must be completed before the department submits invoices for reimbursement. The director added that the contract and a resolution must be prepared and approved and that the application package must be submitted to the federal program by April 30.
On timing, staff told the board the grant funds are not expected to be available until July 1 and that the department will need a city appropriation line for interim payments because work is completed first and the state later reimburses the department.
Staff noted replacement septic systems can be costly and said the grant will be distributed until the funds are exhausted. “If you have to replace a system, it may be more,” the director said, observing individual system costs can be substantial.
The board also heard that the department will migrate permit, licensing and inspection work to the state‑sponsored Acela platform in May; staff described several multi‑hour training sessions already under way and said the platform will let sanitarians and inspectors use tablets and phones in the field.
In community outreach, Director of Nursing Miss Corbin said a broad “resource and health fair” is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2. She said planners intend to offer brief educational sessions, stop‑the‑bleed training, the immunization van for back‑to‑school vaccinations and engagement with UC Health residents and Butler Tech students for family‑oriented activities. Miss Corbin said the working title is “What the Health,” and that organizers are coordinating venues, vendors and volunteer staffing.
Next steps listed by staff include drafting the grant contract and resolution for board review (pledged to appear at the next meeting), finalizing Acela training and continuing vendor outreach for the August fair.
