Private water systems

 The Environmental Health Division permits all construction, alterations, or sealing of private water systems in Noble County. Prior to drilling a new well, conducting alterations to an existing well, or sealing an existing well, homeowners or private water system contractors must contact our office, apply for a permit, and schedule an inspection with our office. A site inspection is required by our office prior to issuing a permit for any new well or work done on an existing well. Once the work is completed on the well, our office will review all paperwork submitted by the well driller or contractor, complete a final inspection, and take water samples to ensure the water is safe for human consumption.

If you are selling your home, buying a home, and would like to have the well inspected and a water sample collected, you can call our office to schedule an inspection. Our Well Certification includes an inspection of the existing well, collection of existing permit records, and a water sample to verify the water is safe for consumption in regard to coli-form bacteria.

 If you have an existing well and would like to have your water sampled, contact our office. The environmental health division can collect a water sample and uses an independent EPA approved laboratory to test the samples. We can sample for a variety of possible contaminates such as Total Coliform, E. Coli, Nitrates, Lead and many others. If you are having problems with your well or with the water quality, sometimes a water sample can help pinpoint what action needs taken to solve the problem with your well. Samples are collected on Tuesday from 1:30 – 3:30 and typically results are available within 2-3 days.

If you have an existing well on your property, whether it is a dug well, drilled well, cistern, or other private water system, and it is no longer in use or is abandoned, the homeowner is responsible to ensure the well or private water system is properly sealed or abandoned. A permit is required from the local health department and all work sealing the well must be completed by a registered private water systems contractor. If you are a homeowner seeking to seal your own well, you must register with Ohio Department of Health and you must apply for a permit from the health department. If you hire a contractor, you must ensure they are registered by Ohio Department of Health and you also must obtain a permit from the health department. Please call our office if you have any questions at 740-732-4958.