Private Water Systems
This division protects Richland County residents who are using private water systems.  A private water system includes wells, cisterns, springs, ponds, and hauled water storage tanks.  Private systems serve 25 or fewer people, at least 60 days a year. 

The Richland County Board of Health, with the help of the Private Water Systems division, enforces  private water system rules and laws, which are set forth by the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative code.  Any variances from the health code must be approved by the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Board of Health.  The Water Systems division issues permits for installation of new private water systems and for alterations of existing systems.  The division also provides water testing of private water systems.

Below is the list of fees as of January 2008:

An alteration is considered as a major change to the construction or configuration of the system, for example; adding a disinfecting device, deepening a well, replacing the pump, replacing casing, etc.   Private water systems are classified according to the type of dwelling, single family or non-single family.  A single family dwelling is a home where only one family resides.  A non-single family dwelling for example, is a duplex where multiple families reside or could be a business operation.

Private water system permits are good for one year.  During this one-year timeframe, the installation or alteration must be performed, the system must pass a final inspection, and the water supply must pass a water test to ensure safety.  In 2000, the Health Department Sanitarian began annual inspection the well drilling process as well.  The water test analyzes coliform bacteria and nitrates.  

Coliform Bacteria
Positive results for coliform indicate that at least one coliform bacteria was found in the water sample collected from your water system and that disease causing organisms may be present in your well.  Coliform bacteria rarely occur in ground water and are generally associated with animal and human waste products.  If coliform bacteria have made their way into your well, other organisms might also be present that can cause sickness or death.  This bacteria test does not look for pesticides, hardness or any other water quality indicators.  

Nitrate levels 
Nitrates are chemicals that occur naturally in the environment.  They are created when animal wastes are decomposed in the soil or water by microbes to form ammonia.  This ammonia is then changed to nitrite and nitrate.  Because nitrite is easily oxidized into nitrate, nitrate is the form that is generally found in groundwater and surface water.  Water can also be contaminated by nitrate through the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers or products containing large amounts of ammonia and urea.  The short-term exposure effects to nitrate include: nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting followed by dizziness, blurred vision, and progressive muscular paralysis.  Infants who are fed formula diluted with water are more sensitive to nitrates because they have a higher intake of water for their body weight.  Pregnant women are also more sensitive to nitrates.  

Services:
* Issues permits for installation of new private water systems or alteration of existing systems.
* Water Samples for new or existing private water systems
* Performs final inspection of private water systems to insure compliance with the health code.