Rural Bowling Green residents have received some relief in their fight against being forced to tap into a
nearby sewer line.
The Wood County Board of Health voted Monday to grant a variance so that the 72 residents along the
Midstar sewer line can opt out of tapping into the line.
The 9-0 vote brought residents – about 25 in attendance – to their feet in ovation. Several walked up to
board members to shake hands.
"I was very hopeful for some action tonight," said Ray Your, who lives on Ohio 25. That
optimism sprouted at a meeting Thursday with the health board and the county’s prosecuting attorney.
"They listened to us. The district did not listen to us."
Residents’ fight with the Northwestern Water and Sewer District started in November 2010, when they were
invited to an informational meeting where they learned the once-private Midstar sewer line would become
public, and therefore the Wood County Health Department would require homeowners within 400 feet to tap
into the line.
The sewer line extends along Brim Road north from the general vicinity of Bishop Road, then along Union
Hill Road to Ohio 25. It then runs north to Ohio 582. When it was installed 10 years ago, the sewer
district assured residents along the route they would not have to hook into the line.
Health board President Ted Bowlus instructed Carri Leathers, with the prosecuting attorney’s office, to
work with health department Commissioner Pamela Butler and Joseph Gregg, attorney for the affected
homeowners, on wording for a resolution outlining the opt-out conditions. Brad Espen, director of
environmental services for the health department, also needs to have a signed variance request from each
homeowner who has no need – or desire – to tap into the Midstar line.
Bowlus’ instructions came at the conclusion of a nearly two-hour special meeting that allowed board
members to give opinions and ask questions – and make clear their distaste for how the sewer district
put the blame on the department for requiring the tap-ins.
The health department has the authority to require a sewer tap in, but typically (although not always)
only when a septic system fails. That is not the case for these homeowners, who say their private
systems are working just fine.
Board member Dallas Ziegler called the situation an injustice to residents.
A representative from the water and sewer district was invited to, but did not attend, Monday’s meeting.

The Northwestern Water and Sewer District "is trying to make us the bad people," stated health
board member Karen Apple. "The cost to these people is ridiculous."
Letters issued to homeowners indicated the cost would be $11,485 to install a grinder pump to tap into
the pressurized line. That does not include any electrical work for the installation or the cost of
running a sewer line from the home to the road.
John Knueve, who lives at Route 25 and Devils Hole Road, said if he is forced to tap into the sewer line,
he could lose his home. "It boils down to we were all lied to 10 years ago."
"It’s sad that it’s come to this, and you guys are put through this," said board member Sandra
Flick.