9-05-2026 4:54pm

Warren County Reviews Broader Policy for Water, Sewer Damage Claims

Beth Callahan Editor

LEBANON, OH— Warren County commissioners are considering changes to the county’s water and sewer regulations that would give residents a clearer process for seeking reimbursement when county water or sewer systems damage their property.

Chris Brausch, director and sanitary engineer for the Warren County Water and Sewer Department, told commissioners during their Sept. 1 meeting that the county has been fortunate to experience relatively few sewer backup claims, but recent heavy rains and flooding throughout the region prompted another look at the county’s reimbursement procedures.

Under the existing process, the department can administratively reimburse homeowners for up to $2,500 in documented costs, often covering an insurance deductible following a sewer backup or similar incident. Brausch said the proposed revisions would expand the language to specifically include damage caused by water main breaks as well as sewer incidents.

Claims exceeding $2,500 could still be considered individually by commissioners. Those larger reimbursements would require separate board approval.

Commissioner Dave Young said he wants residents who experience damage through no fault of their own to be reimbursed as quickly and easily as possible.

Brausch explained that homeowners typically first submit claims through their own insurance companies. The county also sends claims to the County Risk Sharing Authority, or CORSA, but Brausch said those claims are frequently denied when the county is found not to have been negligent. The proposed policy would allow commissioners to consider reimbursement even in cases where there is no legal finding of negligence.

Commissioner Tom Grossmann questioned whether putting the process into a formal policy could restrict the commissioners’ existing discretion.

Brausch and Katie Horvath of the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office said the policy would essentially put into writing what the county already has been doing. Horvath said the policy also contains language making clear that reimbursement does not constitute an admission of fault or negligence by the county.

Commissioners did not immediately adopt the broader policy, saying they wanted time to review it.

They did, however, approve a separate resolution authorizing reimbursement for damage to a home at 2520 Rose Road in Deerfield Township following a water main break. Brausch said the reimbursement could total as much as $16,287.

Brausch said the break occurred early in the morning and apparently went undetected for about an hour. Water flowed downhill from the break and entered the home, flooding portions of the first floor and basement. CORSA denied the county’s claim after finding the county was not negligent, but commissioners still had the authority to provide reimbursement.

Capacity Concerns Surface as Warren County Continues to Grow

The discussion later shifted to sewer capacity and improvements underway in the southern portion of the county.

Brausch said the county is completing approximately $12 million in upgrades to the Fosters and Baron lift stations, an important part of the sewer system serving Hamilton Township, Morrow and the Kings Island area.

He described the location as something of a “Grand Central Station” for wastewater flows that eventually are pumped to the county’s treatment plant. The upgrades are intended to address capacity needs.

The county also is working to reduce odor complaints in the area by improving chemical treatment systems and installing alarms that can notify operators if odor-control chemicals are not being properly applied.

Young said the reference to limited capacity caught his attention because sewer capacity can directly affect future residential development, particularly higher-density projects.

Brausch said the county currently has a capacity study underway in Hamilton Township, where considerable development remains possible. Unlike much of Deerfield Township, which he described as largely built out, Hamilton Township continues to see significant development pressure.

Results from the study are expected during the final quarter of 2026.

Brausch said county officials are working with Hamilton Township and the village of Maineville to evaluate future development within the existing sewer service boundary.

The area has not undergone such a comprehensive capacity review since 1990, he said.

“We’ve got some pinch points, some bottlenecks out in that area,” Brausch told commissioners.

Commissioner Shannon Jones suggested scheduling a future work session to give commissioners a systemwide look at sewer capacity and areas where additional investment may be needed.