Summit County, Ohio septic records: searching and requesting SCPH's files

SCPH's Water Quality Map shows whether a parcel is served by a sewage treatment system or a private water system. For the most accurate and current information on a property, SCPH points you to its records portal or its office.¹

Start on SCPH's online records search page. Read the disclaimer and agree to it, and the page takes you to the search. SCPH doesn't guarantee that the online records are accurate or that every document is an official public record, and some older files hold more than what's online. Complaint and nuisance investigation records aren't in the portal.²

If the portal gives you trouble, SCPH suggests turning on third-party cookies, trying another browser such as Edge or Firefox, or calling 330-926-5600.²

For a record that isn't online, use SCPH's Water Quality records request form. It's for copies of existing records, such as well logs and septic drawings. Its tips:³

• Ask for exactly what you need. Name the record, such as a septic diagram. Asking for all water quality information when you only want the diagram takes staff longer.
• Give the property's address and parcel number, and the city, township or village it's in (for example, "1234 Main Street, Akron, OH 44319 - Coventry Township").
• Say how you want it sent: email, fax or mail.

You can also make a request by mail, by fax or in person at the Environmental Health front desk. Requests are handled in the order they arrive. When we checked, the form said they were taking up to 10 business days, with large requests taking longer. Questions about a request already sent go to 330-926-5600.³

Any home in Summit County with a sewage treatment system or a private water system has to be inspected by a registered contractor before the property changes hands. The contractor sends the report to SCPH, which reviews it within 3 business days and issues a Certificate of Transfer. The inspection's results won't stop a sale, and the point of sale page links the same online records.⁴

SCPH's Environmental Health office is at 1867 W. Market St., Building C, Akron, OH 44313, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 330-926-5600, or email the Water Quality program at wqcomments@schd.org.⁵