Health Commissioner Zach Green told the Board of Commissioners during its June 4 meeting that Knox Public Health received $175,000 in Ohio Environmental Protection Agency funding for water pollution control to help property owners with failing septic systems.
Green said the Knox Public Health Environmental Health team has identified contractors and that the county agency will write the grant and handle all administrative work to streamline the process so residents are not burdened with learning about it. He said this approach has paid dividends over several years. The $175,000 is the highest amount awarded so far; last year $75,000 was allocated and used, while $150,000 was provided the prior year. A waiting list exists for the program. Green also said township trustees play a key role because they know their areas well and can identify residents in need without anyone feeling targeted.
"We can leverage our township trustees to ensure that they recognize that these funds are available at a state level in the event they have residents within their area of failing septic systems, typically that becomes knowingly from neighbors reporting those acts," Green said, according to a video recording of the meeting.
Green said the new funding could support seven to ten system replacements or repairs. Some replacements may cost more than $30,000 each, which he described as a financial burden for many residents.
During the meeting, Green introduced Anthony Bowersock as deputy health commissioner for Knox Public Health. Bowersock has served as project director for two years and holds a master's degree from Ohio State University in Health Behavior and Health Promotion. He will serve as deputy health commissioner if Green is away.
Green also told the board that Lyme disease cases reached 35 year-to-date. In early May 2025 there were 22 cases reported. He noted ticks are most active this time of year but more cases are being reported as early as February. Knox Public Health is partnering with the local American Red Cross to allow use of space at its main site several days per week and store disaster supplies in its garage.
