Ohio EPA

Division of Drinking and Ground Waters

Ohio EPA is responsible for implementing the 1974 federal Safe Drinking Water Act and its amendments.

The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters regulates all public water systems that have at least 15 service connections or serve 25 or more people at least 60 days per year. This assures Ohio’s citizens an adequate supply of safe drinking water. Private drinking water systems, including residential wells, are not regulated by Ohio EPA, but are under the jurisdiction of local health departments.

Drinking Water Program

  • Review, deny, cancel or recommend engineering plans for public drinking water systems.
  • Provide technical assistance to owners, operators, designers and engineers of drinking water systems.
  • Inspect public drinking water systems to identify and eliminate potential health hazards.
  • Review operating records and data from public water systems to check for compliance with the regulations.
  • Ensure public water systems conduct required sampling and have samples analyzed in state- certified laboratories.
  • Require and help public water systems take action to correct unsafe conditions.
  • Review proposed public water system well sites for acceptability.
  • Explain requirements for establishing and operating a public drinking water system.
  • Collect water samples for special investigations, new public water system well installations, etc.
  • Investigate citizen complaints.
  • Initiate enforcement actions for violations of state laws and regulations.
  • Collect and maintain records of drinking water treatment plant operations, laboratory data and certifications, plan approvals, correspondence and public notifications.
  • Promote regional water systems where safe and adequate supplies cannot otherwise be maintained.
  • Ensure the public is notified of violations by appropriate public notification, and that all community water systems inform their customers about the quality of their drinking water by providing information in an annual consumer confidence report.

Ground Water Program

  • Collect water quality samples at a statewide network of monitoring sites to maintain ongoing ground water quality data.
  • Conduct specialized monitoring to identify ground water problems and determine cause and effect relationships between those problems and pollution sources. Once a determination is made, ecommend strategies for improving water quality and preventing contamination.
  • Provide technical evaluation of permit applications for solid, hazardous and infectious waste facilities and wastewater dischargers.
  • Provide technical assistance related to identification and cleanup of ground water contamination at hazardous waste sites.
  • Assist the State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Health and other agencies with ground water contamination issues.
  • Investigate complaints about ground water contamination.
  • Provide technical assistance regarding ground water issues to municipalities, industries, the public and other Ohio EPA divisions.
  • Support enforcement, including assistance with case preparation, water sampling and expert testimony.
  • Speak to interested groups about the importance of maintaining good water quality.
  • Help public water systems develop plans to protect their sources of drinking water from contamination.

 

 



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