Private Water Systems Information

Private waters systems are regulated by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and administered by both ODH and the Local Health Districts under Sections 3701.344 to 3701.347 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Chapter 3701-28 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC).

What are private water systems?

Private water systems are...

  • Wells
  • Springs
  • Ponds
  • Cisterns
  • Hauled water storage tank

...that provide potable water for human consumption and supplies water to...

  • Fewer than fifteen (15) service connections; and
  • Do not regularly serve an average of at least twenty-five (25) individuals daily at least sixty (60) days of each year.

These include:

  • 1, 2, and 3 family dwellings;
  • Multiple dwellings on the same or adjacent properties;
  • Buildings including barns, small businesses, churches, etc.; and
  • Small manufactured home parks and campgrounds.

A private water system includes any auxiliary water supply for a structure to supplement toilet flushing or laundry.

Water Quality

In Ohio, many residents receive their drinking water from ground or surface water resources through private water systems such as wells, springs, ponds, rain water cisterns, and hauled water. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) requires that the water provided from these systems be tested for a few basic contaminants upon completion of the private water systems construction, alteration or other activity under an open private water systems permit. Once that open permit receives final approval from the local health district, property owners need to take special precautions to ensure the protection and maintenance during the life time of their private water systems. The required tests to approve a private water system permit are:

  • Total Coliform bacteria
  • E. coli
  • Nitrates

Microbiological Contaminants (Total Coliform and E. coli are located at the top of this page)

Primary Pathogenic Microorganism - can cause disease in otherwise healthy people with exposure and dose and includes but is not limited to escherichia coli, enterococci or coliphage;

Opportunistic Pathogens - a commonly occurring microorganism found in water wells or a rare microorganism that does not normally cause disease in otherwise healthy people but can cause disease in sensitive populations including immune compromised individuals, infants, and the elderly."

Additional information about inorganic and organic chemical contamination is available on the Ohio Department of Health website.

Resources and Fact sheets