Under the Private Water Systems Program, sanitarians evaluate and sample private water systems, which include wells, cisterns, springs, ponds, and hauled water storage tanks.

CCBH issues permits for the development of new private water systems, the alteration of existing systems and well sealing. These systems are inspected and sampled as part of the approval process. The fee schedule for all permits can be viewed in the Links section below.

A point of sale inspection is also offered. As part of this inspection, the private water system is sampled for the presence of E. coli, Total Coliform Bacteria and nitrates.

We also sample non-community transient water systems, such as those found in food service operations, food establishments, schools, pools, and manufactured home parks that are not accessible to a municipal water supply.

An important but sometimes forgotten issue associated with municipal water line connections is proper private water system abandonment. Unused wells that are not properly sealed after homes have connected to a municipal water line can create numerous public health and safety concerns, along with serving as a potential contamination source to the aquifer.

The first step in properly abandoning a private water supply is to contact the local health department. CCBH can provide sealing information and legal requirements to the homeowner.

A link to an Application For Private Water System Construction, Alteration or Sealing is listed below. This permit can be utilized for anyone planning on developing a new private water supply, modifying the existing system, or abandoning a water supply that will no longer be in use.

CCBH has been active in increasing the public awareness of proper private water system abandonment. Seminars have been held in communities impacted by municipal water line extensions.

In addition to providing education on proper abandonment, we are continually attempting to locate and secure funding sources (grants, low interest loans, etc.) that could help reduce the homeowner’s cost associated with properly abandoning a private water system.

Detailed information about well logs (type, location, depth, etc.) can be found at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website.

Click here to view current Private Water Program fees

Resources & Links

• Application For Private Water System Sampling
• Disinfection For Flooded Drinking Water Wells
• Drinking Water & Disinfection
• How to Disinfect a Water Well

• Ohio Department of Health – Private Water Systems Program
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) – Well logs
• Ohio Private Water System Rules – Ohio Admin. Code Chapter 3701-28

• Power Outages and Private Water Systems
• Private Water Program Fees – effective November 7, 2022
• Private Water System Contractors Registered in Ohio

Contractors are registered with the State of Ohio based on the community in which they are located. Contractors listed in neighboring counties, including Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit Counties, frequently work here in Cuyahoga County.