Private Water Systems

All PWS must be installed or altered in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-28. Installations and alterations to private water systems in Hamilton County Public Health’s jurisdiction (except Cincinnati, Norwood and Springdale) must be permitted by Hamilton County Public Health to ensure that proper components and techniques are used to provide safe drinking water. Applications for a new or replacement private water system, or for the alteration of a private water system, must be done using the statewide form and by submitting/completing the requirements below:

• Site Plan: The applicant will need to submit a completed site plan of the property on the Statewide Site Plan Form (page 3 of the Statewide Application/Permit Form). On the site plan the applicant will need to clearly mark:
  • The location of all proposed and existing private water systems.
  • The location all possible sources of contamination found on the site plan form, including but not limited to the house, the sewage system and the driveway.
  • North Direction, property lines roads and road intersections.
• Site Plan Addendum: The applicant will be required to submit detailed PWS plans if the PWS:
  • Serves a building or greater than a three family dwelling; or
  • Source water is from a pond, cistern, spring; or
  • Is located in an area of known flowing well conditions.
• The submitted detailed PWS plans must:
  • Include relevant information as to the number of individuals to be served when the application is for a multi-family dwelling or building;
  • Be legible and accurately drawn with a north directional arrow;
  • Include relevant elevations for ponds and springs;
  • Show the locations, layout, and type of all water system equipment, including but not limited to disinfection and filtration equipment;
  • Include a listing of all materials to be used in construction, installation, or alteration of the water system;
  • Show the layout of the water distribution piping from the source to the service connections; and
  • Include any other information required for proper determination.
• Registered Contractor: When you make the application for your private water system you will need to provide the name of the contractor that you have chosen to do the work. Please be sure that the contractor is registered and bonded as a Private Water System contractor with the Ohio Department of Health. Visit this ODH site for more info.
• Marking at the PWS Site:  The Location of the proposed private water system must be clearly marked at the site so the Health District staff can evaluate the system for meeting the minimum setback requirements and compliance with the code.
• Start Up and Operation: The person who constructs, develops, installs, alters, or repairs a Private Water System must disinfect the system immediately following completion of work performed by that individual. Disinfection must follow procedures outlined in ODH’s Disinfecting Water Wells Fact Sheet.
• Water Haulers: Water Haulers are any person or business that hauls and delivers water to hauled water storage tanks used as private water systems.  Water Haulers are required to register and have their trucks inspected once per year by the local health district in which their primary business is located. Landlords hauling water to tenants are also required to register and have their trucks inspected by Hamilton County Public Health. Click here to see a list of approved water haulers.