Water Systems (Private)

---

Private water systems are regulated by the Ohio Department of Health under Sections 3701.344 to 3701.347 of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 3701-28 of the Ohio Administrative Code. Private Water Systems are potable water wells, ponds, springs, cisterns and hauled water storage tanks that provide drinking water to fewer than 25 people, less than sixty days out of the year, and have less than 15 service connections. These would include single water supplies that serve homes, small businesses, small churches, small mobile home parks or communities with fewer than 25 residents.

Services Provided:

• Technical assistance and training on the construction, operation and maintenance of private water systems.
   
• Survey Local Health District’s Private Water System Program to assess their compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
   
• Registration of private water systems contractors.
   
• Investigation and recommendations on bond claims against private water systems contractors.
   
• Investigation of contamination of private water systems.

Anyone in the business of working on private water systems in Ohio must register with the Ohio Department of Health as a Private Water Systems Contractor.

Private Water Systems Contractor Registration Application and Bond Forms. IF YOU WISH TO REGISTER AS A PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM CONTRACTOR YOU WILL NEED TO REVIEW ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS IMMEDIATELY BELOW  

• Private Water System Contractor Registration Check List
• Private Water Systems Contractor Registration Application Form
• PWS Contractor Application Instructions
• EXAMPLE Contractor Registration Application Form
• Private Water Systems Contractor Bond Form
• PWS Bond Form Instructions
• EXAMPLE PWS Registration Bond Form

To check on the current registration status of a contractor or if you are a private water systems contractor who would like to register with the Ohio Department of Health, contact (614) 466-1390.

• List of Registered Private Water contractors located in Ohio (PDF file size = 158k)
• List of Registered Private Water contractors located outside Ohio (PDF) file size = 10K
• Private Water Systems Contractors With Down-hole Well Cameras

Additional Information:

• Homeowners Guide to Constructing or Altering a Private Water System (PWS)
• Contractor Procedures for Cleaning and Disinfecting Private Water Wells
• Private Water Completion Forms 
• Maintaining Chlorine Residuals for Hauled Water (PDF file size = 17k)
• Nitrates/Nitrites Health Information Fact Sheet
• Nitrate Treatment  
• Coliform Bacteria Fact Sheet

Contact Information:

• Rebecca Fugitt, RS, MS, Program Administrator, Residential Water and Wastewater Program.

For any questions about residential drinking water wells and the Private Water Systems Rules, Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 3701-28 you may contact the following program staff:

• Doug Rogers, RS, Private Water Systems Contractor Enforcement, Down-hole camera water well  investigations.
  
• Steve Schmidt, RS,  Down-hole camera water well  investigations. 
  
• Russell Smith, RS, Continous disinfection and filtration treatment for drinking water ponds, cisterns, and springs; Private  Water  System chemical contamination sampling and investigations. 

Telephone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Private Water Systems Program
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215

E-mail: BEH@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 10/17/08