The Environmental Health Department protects residents who use private water systems. A private water system includes wells, cisterns, springs, ponds, and hauled water storage tanks. Private systems also serve 25 or fewer people.

The Geauga County Board of Health, with the assistance of the Environmental Health Department, 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 Geauga County Board of Health. The Water Systems division issues permits for installation of new private water systems and for alterations to existing systems; the division also provides water testing of private water systems.

Any homeowner or builder that is beginning construction of a new home is required to contact Geauga Public Health for a lot evaluation. After the evaluation, new sewage and water well permits are issued.

An alteration is considered as a major change to the construction or configuration of an existing system such as: adding a disinfecting device, deepening a well, replacing casing, etc. Private water sysetms are classified according to the type of dwelling, single family or multi-family dwelling.

A single family dwelling is a home where only 1 family resides
A multi-family dwelling could be a duplex home or some small business operations

Private water system permits are good for 1 year. During this one year time frame, 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. This water test analyzes coliform bacteria and nitrates