Private Water Systems
Eligibility
Residents with private wells and other types of private water systems.
Purpose
To ensure “safe” water for use by residents not using public water systems.
Description
Environmental Health Sanitarians will conduct inspections of private wells and water systems that have been issued permits for installation or alteration. Staff will also collect water samples to test for the presence of bacteria, pollutants, and other types of contamination. Private water systems include dug wells, drilled wells, cisterns, hauled water storage tanks, springs and ponds.
The Health District recommends that private water systems be tested annually for bacteria. If plumbing work or work on the water system components takes place the water system should be disinfected by chlorination of the water system before it is put back into service.
Staff will also inspect private water systems at the request of the system owner or potential buyer of the property.
Services include
- Providing a list of Private Water Contractors who are registered with Ohio Department of Health, and known to work in Greene County:
- Review Private Water System Installation, Alteration, and Abandonment permits
- Inspect and sample new Installations and Alterations
- Provide water sampling by request for a variety of contaminants, including bacteria, arsenic, lead, nitrates, and more.
Fee
Yes
Appointment
Required
Site
County-wide
Frequently Asked Questions
Links
- Know your Well Water-Water Sample Result Interpretation Tool
- Arsenic FAQ
- Nitrates and Nitrites FAQ
- All Private Water Systems Contractors--Statewide
- How to Disinfect a Drilled Well
- Coliform Bacteria Fact Sheet
- Buried Fuel Oil Tank Fact Sheet
- E.Coli Fact Sheet
- Hydrogen Sulfide in Drinking Water
- Cleaning Cisterns and Hauled Water Storage Tanks
- Treatment Technologies for Removing Nitrates
- Treatment of Arsenic in Ground Water
- UV Light for Continuous Disinfection
- Well Sealing and Abandonment Procedures
- What’s a Private Well Owner to do?
- Well Owner Basics