PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio -- Most people would think reliable sewage service is a way of life, but in the small village of Derby it's a serious issue.
The Ohio EPA is stepping forward and telling Pickaway County to clean up or pay up.
County officials tell NBC 4 the EPA could find the county to be in noncompliance if a solution isn't found soon.
Many of the village's 120 residences use underground septic tanks currently, and the EPA said its original order to clean them up was issued in 1998.
County officials say the violations affect the nearby ditch waterway.
Now comes the task of a solution and the associated cost.
Residents are worried it could mean added costs that are passed on to them.
One option could be residents paying a bill to hook into the prison sewage system in nearby Orient.
The option wouldn't be inexpensive and could include hookup fees and sizable monthly charges.
"Money is tight with us, too, but (I) would be willing to do it. It would benefit us," said Ty Thompson, an area resident.
April Whittaker said she doesn't think she should pay for construction, but agrees that something needs to be done. She said she thinks there is no chance to sell in the area without sewer solutions.
"They are huge advantages to live in the country, but septic and water are two issues. For people living in the city, you don't have sewage. I'm not living there," she said.
County officials say that's one option but they are also looking at financing and grants to make it easier for low- or fixed-income residents.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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