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Amish people exercise their religious freedom by living a simple life without any technology. And most state and local governments tend to leave them alone.

But a Michigan county decided to pick a fight with the local Amish community over their use of outhouses instead of septic systems.

County officials posted notices on several Amish homes were saying they are “unfit for human occupation” because they do not have modern plumbing.

The county says unless they are brought up to code, the houses will be demolished.

“What Lenawee County is attempting to do is ensure that they comply with the objectives of the health code ,” which requires homes be equipped with “a safe and adequate sewage system.”

Environmental groups counter that Lenawee County has nearly ten large factory farms, locally known as “megafarms,” many with 3,000 – 4,000 animals churning out hundreds of tons of manure a day without any septic systems.

There have been similar cases in Minnesota and in Pennsylvania, where an Amish farmer was sentenced to 90 days in jail in 2009 for failing to bring two outhouses into compliance with state sewage laws.