Ohio Revised Code Title XLIX. Public Utilities § 4933.25

No sewage disposal system company established after September 19, 1961, or expanding after October 2, 1969, or water-works company established or expanding after October 2, 1969, shall construct, install, or operate sewage disposal system facilities or water distribution facilities until it has been issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity by the public utilities commission. The commission shall adopt rules prescribing requirements and the manner and form in which sewage disposal system companies and water-works companies shall apply for such a certificate.

Before the commission issues a certificate of public convenience and necessity, it may hold a public hearing concerning the issuance of the certificate. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the board of county commissioners of any county and the chief executive authority of any municipal corporation to be served by a sewage disposal system company or water-works company.

As used in this section, “sewage disposal system company” and “water-works company” have the same meanings as in section 4905.03 of the Revised Code and include only “public utilities” as defined in section 4905.02 of the Revised Code.