Central Ohio Health Department Orders Amish To Leave Their Homes

The Kenton-Hardin Health Department said Tuesday night the way two Amish families are living jeopardizes the health of their neighbors.

"There's a potential there for a lot of people to get sick and our job is to prevent things from happening." said Shane Lotts, the Environmental Director for the Kenton Hardin Health Department.

The health department voted to uphold a decision by the board that said two families need to vacate their homes because their sewage systems were not up to code.

Last year, the health department cited two Amish homeowners along Township Road 140 in Hardin County because of their sewage system. Health officials also said the homes in question lacked the proper permits to build them. The county said, as a result, they told the homeowners they needed to vacate their houses.

"The disease that can happen from the sewage system that they are using deal anywhere from Cholera, Typhoid to Polio." said Bradford Bailey with the Hardin County Prosecutor.

Bailey told members of the health board on Tuesday night the law requires the Amish to use a well and a septic tank to properly dispose of waste. The county argued that one Amish homeowner admitted to disposing of human waste in a nearby field. An Amish man told the board that an independent Environmental Protection Agency study showed the water around his home was safe. He argued they should be allowed to continue the practices they've used for generations.

Members of the Amish community declined to comment on camera. They provided 10tv with a written statement.

The statement reads, "We are not aware of any written complaints being filed against us from our fellow citizens. We don't believe in filing lawsuits therefore we beg for mercy."

"The Amish's recourse is the court of appeals," Lotts told 10tv's Jason Frazer.

It's unclear if the Amish will appeal.

Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.