According to Ohio Department of health website, private
waters systems are regulated by the Ohio Department of Health and administered
by both ODH and Local Health Districts. Private water systems are wells, springs,
ponds, cisterns, and hauled water storage tank; they provide potable water for
human consumption. A private water system includes any auxiliary water supply
for a structure to supplement toilet flushing or laundry. In Ohio, many
residents receive their drinking water from ground or surface water resources
through private water systems. The Ohio Department of Health requires that the
water provided from these systems be tested for contaminants. Once that open
permit receives final approval from the local health district, property
owners need to take special precautions to ensure the protection and
maintenance during the life time of their private water systems. One bacteria
that is in some water is coliform. Coliform is a bacterium that consists of microorganisms
that live in large numbers in plants, soil and intestines of animals. Coliform
is found in soils, plants, and in animal and human waste. There is another
group of coliform called fecal coliform bacteria. They are found only in fecal
waste of warm blooded animals and can grow at higher temperatures. There are
six species of fecal coliform bacteria found in waste. In the first group there
are 16 different species. One can come in contact with coliform by ingesting
soils on plants and in water sources such as ponds, lakes and rivers. Fecal coliform
bacteria can be found in water contaminated by domestic sewage or other sources
of human and animal waste. Coliform in water can harm ones health, water
contaminated with coliform can have effects ranging from little effects to
cramps and diarrhea. To reduce coliform people can have their wells cleaned by
a registered private water contractor. Also people should maintain and changed in
accordance with manufactures recommendations. I found the above information
about coliform from the Bureau of Environmental Health. The two pictures below are from google of the coliform bacteria and a private water system.
