Connecting to Sewer

For more information call the Water Quality Division at (513) 946-7862.

There are two options for the treatment of household wastewater in Hamilton County – sewers or household sewage treatment systems (septic systems).

Septic systems treat wastewater from your home (dishwasher, showers, toilets, washing machine, sinks, etc.) using soil absorption, aeration and septic tanks. Hamilton County Public Health inspects septic systems in Hamilton County to ensure that they are working properly and are not creating a public health nuisance.

The Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) maintains the county’s sanitary sewer system, which treats all wastewater in Hamilton County.

Property Owner Requirements

Ohio law and Hamilton County Sewage Code Regulation 529.02(J) requires homes within a certain distance of a sanitary sewer system to connect to it, regardless of whether or not that home has a properly functioning septic system. If you are required to connect to a sanitary sewer, you will receive a letter from the Health District explaining the steps you should take and the timeframe within which you have to complete them. In most cases, those steps include: 

  • Obtain a sewer tap permit from MSD. Contact MSD at (513) 244-1330. 
  • Obtain an abandonment permit for your current household sewage treatment system. Contact the Health District’s Plumbing Division at (513) 946-7852. 
  • Have your home/building’s sewer directly connected to the sanitary sewer available to your property.
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Property Owner Costs

The Hamilton County Commissioners fund construction of local sewers by charging an “assessment” to the benefited properties. The amount of a construction assessment depends on the sewer’s actual construction costs.

A property owner will incur the following construction costs: 

  • Local sewer construction assessment 
  • Plumber’s charges for connecting to the sewer system 
  • Filling/closing onsite septic system 
  • Tap-in fee and various permit fees
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Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to Hamilton County homeowners who are required to connect to sanitary sewer. Call (513) 946-4883 for more information or to find out if you qualify. 

  • Assessment Assistance – If you own a single family property and have a septic system that existed prior to Sept. 20, 1995, you may be eligible for assessment fee assistance. If you qualify, you may receive up to $5,400 in assessment credit. 
  • Connection Fee Assistance – The Hamilton County Community Development Program provides one-time grants up to $6,500 or low-interest loans to eligible property owners. Only residents living in Hamilton County, outside the limits of Cincinnati, are eligible. When connecting to public sewers, the loan or grant does not apply toward assessment costs, only to sewer tapping costs.
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