Amsterdam Sanitary Sewer System and Treatment Plant

Amsterdam, Springfield Township and Loudon Township (Carroll County)

UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 28, 2024: CONNECTIONS
All Amsterdam Residents with sewer tap stubs installed on their property are required to connect their homes to the sewer system. If you have not yet connected, please take the steps outlined on this webpage to get connected to the system.

UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER 21, 2022: LMI GRANT RECIPIENT NOTICE
The LMI program has been granted a short extension, and all existing grant recipients will still receive their grant. The contractors are moving as quickly as they can to get to all the connections completed. Thank you for your patients during this process.

UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER 6, 2022: AMSTERDAM CONNECTION FACT SHEET
An informational fact sheet regarding the current status of the Amsterdam Residential Sewer Lateral Connections can be found here. Please reach out to the JCWSD with any questions.

UPDATE AS OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2022: LMI APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSED
Please note that the window to submit LMI applications has closed upon the date of the Notice to Connect. No new applications are being accepted. Customers currently working with the program will continue until their connections are complete. Residents of both Jefferson County and Carroll County who are receiving connection funds from the LMI RCAP Program must connect by the end of December 2022 in order to comply with the grant deadline.

UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 1, 2022: CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS
*All Amsterdam Residents may begin connecting to the sewer system
The Amsterdam Area Sewer Construction Project has come to a close, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant is ready to start accepting flows.

Each homeowner and building owner is responsible for connecting to the main sewer line, and is responsible for hiring a contractor who is approved by the JCWSD.  It is your responsibility to request estimates from approved contractors and to choose a contractor to do the work. The District has no authority in an agreement between you and your contractor. Therefore, it is very important to understand the requirements, and to make sure estimates are clearly stated, contain, and describe all required work, and include any additional work that you may require for your particular situation. The District can provide input on any questions you may have during this process, but cannot help you once an agreement is signed between you and a contractor. Therefore, it is important to ask pertinent questions to the District before you sign any agreement.

Approved JCWSD Drain Layer Required:

Whether you live in Jefferson County or Carroll County, the installation of your sewer lateral must be completed by a contractor who is an Approved Drain Layer with the Jefferson County Water and Sewer District (JCWSD). You can find a list of Approved Drain Layers is here. Permits for Sewer Service will not be given to unapproved contractors.

Certified Hauler:

The contractor you hire to install your sewer lateral will be responsible for hiring a Certified Hauler to haul away the contents of your existing septic system, and then to crush and cap your septic tank.  The Hauler must be selected from the approved list FOR THE COUNTY where your house or building is located. A Certified Hauler list for each County is included with this letter. The contractor’s estimate should include the name of the Certified Hauler. A list of Jefferson County Registered Haulers can be found here, and a list of Carroll County Registered Haulers can be found here.

Existing Septic System Abandonment:

The contractor you hire will also be required to obtain a permit for abandonment of your existing septic system, which requires a fee to be paid to the applicable County Health Department. A copy of this permit can be found here, as well as on the Ohio Department of Health’s website.

The fee for the Existing Septic Abandonment Permit should be listed on your estimate:
      –  Jefferson County Health Department Fee – $50
      –  Carroll County Health Department Fee – $100

The Jefferson County Water and Sewer District would like to welcome you as a new County Sewer Customer. We would also like to thank everyone in the project area for your patience and cooperation during construction. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (740) 283-8577 or at Contact@jcwatersewer.com.

UPDATES AS OF JULY 15, 2022: ALL PROPERTY OWNERS CAN BEGIN TO CONNECT

The Amsterdam Wastewater Treatment Plant is ready to begin accepting flows. All residents within the limits of the Amsterdam Area Sewer System may begin connecting to the system. Carroll County Residents will receive an official letter from the Carroll County Health Department in the coming weeks, however residents in Carroll County may still begin connecting to the system at this time.

UPDATES AS OF JUNE 27, 2022: JEFFERSON COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS NOTICE TO CONNECT

The Amsterdam Area Sanitary Sewer Project is substantially complete. You are hereby notified that you may now start connecting into the new sanitary sewer. A Mandatory Connection Resolution was adopted on June 27th by the Jefferson County Board of Health, which started a ninety (90) day deadline countdown to connect into the new sanitary sewer (September 25th, 2022). After the 90-day time period has elapsed, everyone will be billed for sewer. Anyone who is not connected after 90-days will be turned over the County Health Department for further action. You will be receiving a letter in the mail within the coming days. A copy of that letter can be found here. This letter is for Jefferson County property owners within the limits of the Amsterdam Area Sewer System only. Carroll County Residents will receive information from the Carroll County Health Department about connecting to the system. Please contact the JCWSD with any questions.

UPDATES AS OF MAY 26, 2022: LMI FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SEWER CONNECTIONS

Amsterdam residents who previously applied for the LMI Financial Assistance program will be contacted by an RCAP representative in the near future.  All applications and associated documents have been kept on file for each Household.  In some instances, it will be necessary to re-verify 2022 income. RCAP is in the process of verifying previous contractor bids. Contractors may attempt to contact you by phone or visit your property. Look for further information by mail.

If you were approved for Financial Assistance, do not enter into any agreements or start connections prior to meeting with RCAP to sign your grant paperwork.  The lowest bidder will be contacted by RCAP and then you will be notified to set up an appointment to sign documents.

UPDATES AS OF JANUARY 18, 2022: NOTICE TO HOMEOWNERS

The Amsterdam Area Sewer Construction Project is coming to a close, and we would like to thank all residents of the Village of Amsterdam and surrounding areas for your cooperation during this project. Over 40,000 feet of sanitary sewers have been installed, along with 230 manholes and a 50,000 Gallons Per Day Treatment Plant. Sewer lateral connections may begin once the Treatment Plant is completed, tested, and in operation; we anticipate this will be in the spring/early summer of 2022. You will receive a Notice to Connect letter in the mail from the Jefferson County Water and Sewer District when it is appropriate to begin connections. DO NOT CONNECT TO THE SEWER SYSTEM BEFORE YOU RECEIVE A NOTICE TO CONNECT LETTER FROM JCWSD. After you receive a Notice to Connect letter, you should plan to connect within 90 days. Please contact the JCWSD with any questions.

UPDATES AS OF JUNE 10, 2021: NOTICE TO HOMEOWNERS

Please be patient with contractors to respond to inquiries for bids to connect to the new sewage system. Due to unforeseen spikes and volatility in material costs, it is difficult to provide homeowners with a competitive bid at this time. It has been recommended that contractors visit neighborhoods to provide bids to all homeowners.  This may not occur until July, as everyone is hoping costs stabilize.  Please remember that only contractors that are on the Jefferson County Water and Sewer District “Certified Drain Layers List” are certified to make connections.  The list may be found here. Grant recipients received this list with their Eligibility Approval Letter. 
Grant recipients only:  you may acquire as many bids as you like, but a minimum of 3 must be submitted to RCAP.  Please contact Misty Tolzda, RCAP (740-807-3007), if you do not have a minimum of 3 bids after the date of July 16. All contractors are aware of the deadline to submit bids.

UPDATES AS OF JUNE 10, 2021: RESIDENTIAL SEWER CONNECTIONS

The Amsterdam Area Sewer Construction Project is coming to a close, and we would like to thank all residents of the Village of Amsterdam and surrounding areas for your cooperation during this project. Over 40,000 feet of sanitary sewers have been installed, along with 230 manholes and a 50,000 Gallons Per Day Treatment Plant. Sewer lateral connections may begin once the Treatment Plant is completed, tested, and in operation; we anticipate this will be in the August/September/October timeframe. You will receive a Notice to Connect letter in the mail from the Jefferson County Water and Sewer District when it is appropriate to begin connections. DO NOT CONNECT TO THE SEWER SYSTEM BEFORE YOU RECEIVE A NOTICE TO CONNECT LETTER FROM JCWSD. After you receive a Notice to Connect letter, you should plan to connect within 90 days.

UPDATES AS OF MAY 28, 2021: RESIDENTIAL SEWER CONNECTIONS

The deadline for LMI applications to be received will be June 7, 2021. Any application received after that time will be put on a waiting list for any remaining grant funds that might be available. From this date forward any applications submitted should only include 2021 income. All applicants should receive a Denial or Approval Letter by June 5, unless pending documentation.  Approved applicants must acquire 3 contractor bids and send in the mail to:

Misty Tolzda, RCAP
412 ½ Eastern Avenue
Woodsfield, OH 43793

If homeowners do not want to accept the low bidder, they may opt to pay the difference between the lowest bid and the selected bid at the time of Grant Agreement signing.

UPDATES AS OF MAY 1, 2021: RESIDENTIAL SEWER CONNECTIONS

The Jefferson Co. Water and Sewer District has asked RCAP, a non-profit organization that helps rural communities improve their water and wastewater systems, to coordinate the Low-To-Moderate (LMI) Homeowner Financial Assistance Applications for CDBG Grant Funds for the Amsterdam Sewer Residential Connections. These grant funds are awarded to some counties to help income-eligible homeowners with all or part of the cost to connect to a water or sewer systems. Applications for this program for sewer connections to the new Amsterdam Area Sewer System have been mailed out. Anyone who applied for grant funds for their connection and is eligible to receive them will receive an Approval Letter after May 20th. Sewer connections MUST be made by a JCWSD Certified Drain Layer. Septic Tank Flushing/Hauling must be done by a Jefferson County/Carroll County Approved Septic Hauler. A list of Approved Drain Layers for Homeowner Connections will be released after May 20th on this website, and will also be included in the Approval Letter. Homeowners who receive Approval Letters will be required to receive a minimum of three estimates/bids. These homeowners SHOULD NOT sign any contracts as all bids for grant recipients must be reviewed by RCAP.

UPDATES AS OF MARCH 1, 2021

Construction of the sanitary sewer piping is coming to a close. Work at the treatment plant is starting to ramp up, with the various tanks expected to be installed over the next few months. Residents can begin to submit applications for the Low-to Moderate Income (LMI) Homeowner Financial Assistance Program, for financial assistance for the costs associated with connecting to the sewer system. The news release with more information about the application can be downloaded here. The applications have been mailed out to Amsterdam residents, and it can also be downloaded here. Anyone having a change in income for 2021 should include their 2021 income along with 2020 in their application. If you have any questions, you may contact Misty Tolzda at Ohio RCAP (740-807-3007).

UPDATES AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Construction is proceeding as planned on the sewer project. To date, over 30,000 feet of sanitary sewer piping have been installed, along with over 150 sanitary manholes. The Rudzik and Alex Paris have installed over 80% of the sewer lateral connections included with this project. Workman Industrial Services has also made great progress on the construction on the treatment plant.

UPDATES AS OF APRIL 2020 

The work on the District’s large sewer project in the Village of Amsterdam has officially begun.  There are three contractors working on this project on behalf of the District.  The contractors are Workman Industrial Services for the treatment plant construction at a low bid of $2,419,780.00,  Rudzik Excavating for the sewers and pump stations in Jefferson County at a low bid of $7,190,203.90, and Alexi Paris Contracting Company for sewers in Carrol County at a low bid of $1,862,785.00.  All three contractors have started work on the project.  Both Rudzik Excavating and Alex Paris Contracting have multiple crews on site and our actively working on sewer line installation.  The project is being inspected by the District’s consulting engineer, Arcadis-US and they currently have an inspector on site overseeing the work of the contractors.  The inspectors, Cord McKenna, will be interacting with residents as sewer construction approaches a resident’s dwelling unit.  This project started approximately ten years ago with orders issued by the OEPA against the Village of Amsterdam.  The treatment plant is designed to treat 50,000 gallons per day, and there will be approximately 55,000 feet of gravity sewer line and force main installed on this project.

Previous Updates

Design work on the new sewer system for the Village of Amsterdam was completed in January of 2018. An application for a Permit to Install (PTI) from the OEPA was applied for near the end of January. Additionally, design documents were submitted to several funding agencies and the County Soil and Water Conservation District for review and comments.

In summary, the project will include the construction of about 63,000 feet of sanitary sewer lines, three sewage pump stations, and a 50,000 gallon per day sewage treatment plant. The plant will be located on property purchased by the County adjacent to the Village’s Rogers Park. The estimated cost of the project is around $9.7 million dollars, and approximately 70% of this amount will be paid for by grants from various agencies. This project will serve over 400 new customers.

The District will need to obtain approximately 100 private rights of ways for the project. Those property owners from whom a right of way will be needed will be contacted in late spring or early summer by the Water and Sewer District’s Solicitor about the purchase of the right of way. Another town-hall type of meeting will be scheduled this summer to go over details of the project and the right of way acquisition process. Due to the timing of project funding and grant allocations, the project will not be advertised for bids until December of 2018 or January of 2019. Construction is expected to commence in the spring of 2019.