Kosciusko County woman says she was told to vacate home over decades-old septic system permit

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) — A Kosciusko County resident says she was told to vacate her home over a septic system that was installed nearly four decades ago.

Sandra Clark says she had a new septic system installed on her property in 1989. After the work was finished, she received paperwork from the county stating the permit for the system was granted.

Thirty-five years later, she says county officials contacted her with an unexpected notice. She was told the county has no record showing her septic system was approved and that she would need to replace the existing system with a new one.

“We’re going to be in trouble here. They’re saying I don’t have a legal septic system,” Clark said.

Clark says county officials told her that even though the document she has says the permit is granted, the back page is missing, which should have included inspection details.

Clark says the person who installed the system already passed away.

Throughout last year, she reached out to the county to resolve the issue, including offering alternatives showing the system still works.

“I offered to have the septic pumped, have a septic pumper, scope it and scope the distribution box and where all the fingers go. And they said, well, no,” Clark said.

On April 30, Clark says she was told she had no other option but to replace the system with a new one. On the same day, she also received a notice to vacate her home by May 8, giving her just eight days to figure out her options.

WNDU reached out to the Kosciusko County Health Department for clarification on why it’s requiring Clark to install a new septic system on her property. We’re still waiting for a response.

Clark says she still doesn’t understand why the county wouldn’t consider other options.

“Somebody didn’t do their job. I don’t really care now who. I’m not trying to blame anybody,” Clark said. “I don’t understand why they won’t at least give me a chance to plead my case, aside from going to court. Over a piece of paper. It’s all it is.”

Clark says she has informed the county that she would install a new septic system. County officials told her that she could remain in her home.

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