What started with an application to install a different kind of septic system a few years ago and has spawned a federal lawsuit. Berry and Deanna Meadows, owners of Digging Dirt, LLC, in Trumbull County, Ohio, have accused the local health department of disallowing their product while approving a competitors similar product, according to the Vindicator newspaper and other media sources.They also accuse the local sheriff’s department of retaliation, conspiracy and civil rights violations.

The Digging Dirt owners claim the product, an alternative to sand filters, is approved in other parts of the state. They allege that after they began a Facebook page about the situation, Trumbull County Septic News, the health department harassed them by filing 20 violations against the company’s septic system installations, the news reports said.

The lawsuit also accuses the health department of giving preferential treatment to the son of the county sheriff. Berry Meadows was later arrested twice by the sheriff’s department on what he claims were “trumped up” felony charges of theft; charges that were later dismissed. The Meadowses say the charges stemmed from two clients of Digging Dirt who have filed civil lawsuits, but they claim the clients didn’t file criminal complaints. The suit alleges that two sheriff’s department officials filed the complaints instead.

Vindy.com, a service of the Vindicator newspaper, reports “The suit attempts to stop the health board from taking action at an 11 a.m. Sept. 28 health board meeting to remove the license. It also seeks $11 million in damages.”

The suit, filed on September 10 in Ohio Northern District Court, also calls for firing two county employees and disbanding the Board of Health, along with an independent investigation, according to the Tribune Chronicle newspaper. Visit http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/sep/11/couple-sues-health-department/.