Well Drilling Costs in Ohio
A complete private well system in Ohio typically costs $5,000–$15,000, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices. Most residential wells are 150–300 feet deep.
Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 2–6 weeks from your first call to potable water. Permit review and inspection scheduling are often the longest steps.
Permits & Process
Step 1: Initial Contact & Application
Contact your local Board of Health for a private water systems permit. The application must include:
- Site plan showing well location relative to buildings, septic systems, property lines (OAC 3701-28-03)
- Construction materials (pump type, casing, etc.)
- Permit fee (often includes one bacteriological water sample test)
- Registered contractor name (must be ODH-registered) (OAC 3701-28-03)
Step 2: Review & Approval
The Board of Health has 10–15 business days to review your complete application (OAC 3701-28-03). They verify separation distances (e.g., to septic systems) and compliance with OAC Chapter 3701-28 standards.
Step 3: Drilling & Construction
Only a registered private water systems contractor may drill and construct the well (OAC 3701-28-18). All drillers must register annually with ODH (current fee $65) (ORC 3701.344).
During drilling, a detailed construction log is kept and filed with ODNR Division of Water Resources within 30 days (ORC 1521.05).
Step 4: Completion Forms
After drilling, the contractor files a Well Completion Report with the health district within 30 days (OAC 3701-28-03). This triggers the inspection and sampling step.
Step 5: Inspection & Water Sampling
The Board of Health schedules a final inspection and water sampling (typically within 30 days). A sanitarian examines the system and collects a water sample for:
- Total Coliform (CFU/MPN)
- E. coli
- Nitrates
Testing for all three parameters is mandatory for new wells per OAC 3701-28-03(V).
Step 6: Approval or Correction
If the well meets all code requirements and water quality standards, the system is approved (OAC 3701-28-03).
If bacteria exceed standards, the well fails approval until corrective measures (usually shock chlorination and re-sampling) restore compliance (OAC 3701-28-03). For nitrate or chemical exceedances, the board provides health-risk information and treatment options (OAC 3701-28-03).
Contractor Handles:
- Registration requirements
- Permit application assistance
- Drilling & casing
- Initial disinfection
- Filing well completion report
- Filing well log with ODNR
Homeowner Handles:
- Payment
- Coordinating with Board of Health
- Inspection scheduling
- Record keeping
- Ongoing testing and maintenance
Water Quality
Disinfection Requirement
Private wells must be purified before use. If the well lacks a continuous disinfection system, it must be shock-chlorinated before sampling and use (Warren County Health).
Common Ohio Groundwater Issues
Arsenic
37% of tested domestic wells in southwestern Ohio exceed the 10 μg/L standard (USGS study). Most common in SW Ohio and parts of Paleozoic bedrock east of Columbus.
Nitrate
Agricultural areas (especially NW and western Ohio in the Maumee watershed) often show high nitrates from farm fertilizers. Can exceed 10 mg/L, risking "blue-baby" syndrome.
Hardness/Iron
Much of Ohio sits on limestone or shale, so well water is usually hard (high calcium, magnesium). Iron and manganese (rusty/orange water) are common, especially in SE Ohio shale aquifers.
Treatment Options
- Disinfection: Chlorination, UV lamps, or ozone for bacteria/viruses. Continuous chlorine injection required if raw well tests high in coliform (OAC 3701-28)
- Filtration: Sediment filters, activated carbon (organics), specialty media for iron/manganese
- Ion Exchange (Softening): Water softeners for hardness
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): Removes nitrates, fluoride, heavy metals, many chemicals
- Arsenic removal: Strong-base anion exchange or specialized RO filters (Miami Conservancy District)
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Routine Maintenance
- Test water regularly: Annually for coliform, every 2–5 years for nitrates
- Inspect equipment: Check wellhead cap, seal, and pressure tank
- Pump/tank care: Drain and inspect pressure tank per manufacturer
- Disinfection: Sanitize (shock-chlorinate) after contamination events
- Filters: Replace pre-filters and cartridges every 6–12 months
Warning Signs of Problems
- Water discoloration (brown/orange/blue-green)
- Odd odors or tastes (rotten-egg, chemical, metallic)
- Low flow or pressure drops
- Sputtering air in taps
- Rapid pump cycling (short on/off cycles)
- Recurring bacteria in tests
Find a Licensed Contractor
Ohio law requires a registered private water systems contractor for all well drilling work (OAC 3701-28-18).
Search Registered Contractors in Ohio
Find Contractors Near You →How to Verify a Contractor
- Ask for their ODH registration number
- Verify registration by calling the ODH Private Water Systems Program at 614-644-7558
- Confirm they carry required bond ($10,000–$20,000) and insurance ($500,000)
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
Resources & Contacts
Key Regulatory References
- ORC 3701.344 – Private water systems permits and contractor registration
- OAC Chapter 3701-28 – Private water systems construction and testing rules
- ORC 1521.05 – Well log filing with ODNR
Certified Water Testing Labs
Find certified labs for water analysis at Ohio EPA Private Well Testing or contact the Ohio EPA Laboratory Certification staff at DWLabCert@epa.ohio.gov or (614) 644-2752.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You a Licensed Contractor?
Check out our compliance reference for Ohio drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Ohio Contractor Compliance Guide →Sources & References
All information in this guide is sourced from official Ohio regulatory documents and government websites. Links are provided inline throughout the guide where facts are cited.
Primary Sources:
- Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3701.344 – Private water systems law
- Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3701-28 – Private water systems rules
- Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1521.05 – Well log filing requirements
- Ohio Department of Health – Private Water Systems Program (OAC 3701-28)
- Warren County Health District – Private Water Systems
- Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department
- USGS – Arsenic in Ground Water in Selected Parts of Southwestern Ohio
- Miami Conservancy District – Arsenic Testing Guidance