Private Water Wells

The Private Water Systems program is a state program that is in enforced by the Environmental Health unit in Wayne county.

The purpose of the program is to protect the citizens of Wayne County as well as the water sources by providing education and enforcing public health laws and regulations.

Private Water Systems are defined as:

potable water wells
ponds
springs
cisterns
hauled water storage tanks that provide drinking water to fewer than 25 people, less than sixty days out of the year, or have less than 15 service connections.

These would include single water supplies that serve:

homes
small businesses
small churches
small mobile home parks
communities with fewer than 25 residents.

Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-28

How to Obtain a Permit to Construct or Alter a Private Water Well

An application for a permit to construct a new water well or alter an existing well can be completed by the property owner or his/her designated agent or well contractor.

The following items need to the submitted with an application:

Property owner's name, mailing address and telephone number
Property address
Name of Registered private water system contractor, ODH registration number and telephone number
Site plan and additional plans if required indicating the location of the well in relationship to any current or proposed structures, sewage treatment system, roadways, property lines, other potential hazards etc.

The FEE is $450 for an installation/replacement permit and $225 for an alteration.

For other types of wells and their associated fees please contact the EH Unit.

Property Owner Application for Registration

Property/homeowners may only perform work on residences and properties that they own and shall obtain a registration from the Ohio Department of Health prior to performing work.

Once registration waiver form is approved by ODH you may apply for a permit as stated above.

Property Owner Registration Information

Variance Request From

A board of health may grant a variance from the requirements of the sewage rules when a person has made written application for a variance to the board requesting the variance and the applicant shows that because of practical difficulties, or other special conditions, compliance with this chapter will cause unusual and unnecessary hardship.

Variance Request Application234.21 KB

Water Samples

Testing for bacteria, or coliform testing, is an indicator for possible contamination is available for wells.

The cost is $45 if you pick up the bottle and take the sample yourself or $75 if a sanitarian from our office comes to take a sample (sometimes required).

Please call for other types of tests and cost which include but not limited to Nitrates, Lead and E. coli.

The bottles can be picked up at our office any day of the week.

Collection of sample from your tap after 12:00pm on Tuesday

Deliver to our office between 1:00pm Tuesday & 9am Wednesday

Collection of sample from your tap after 12:00pm on Thursday

Deliver to our office between 1:00pm Tuesday & 9am Wednesday

**Sample results are typically available within 5 business days**

Water Sample Request Form348.51 KB

REAL ESTATE EVALUATION REQUESTS

Water system evaluation for real estate transfers service can be provided by Environmental Health unit.

When homeowners sell their property, many lending institutions require that the water system be evaluated/inspected to assure the system is functioning properly and will provide safe water for the new buyer through the collection of a water sample and/or an inspection of the existing well.

This is not required by Wayne County

The fee for a real estate well inspection is $200.00 or for only a water sample is $90.00.

Request for Real Estate Evaluation196.67 KB

Helpful Links

EPA Division of Surface Water

ODH Private Water Systems

ODH Contractor Activity Status Report by County

List of Private Water Well Contractors

More Forms and Information

Required Isolation Distance for Well 2.04 MB

How to Disinfect your Well635.18 KB