After running a Google search on “Ohio Department of Health”
I selected the first link to www.odh.ohio.gov.
Once on the site I chose “Data and Statistics” which lead be to an alphabetical
prompt from A to Z of Data and Statistical Reports. Knowing that my search was
headed in the direction of water quality and wells, I clicked on the “W” and
sure enough the first link under “W” was “Wells and Private Water Systems.
Once re-directed to the page, the web document title came up
“Private Water Systems." The first information provided to users is Ohio
Department of Health’s relation to the Private Water Systems, which is that
they formally regulate and administer local and private water systems.
Private Water systems include, wells, springs, ponds,
cisterns and water tanks under the conditions that they provide potable water
for human consumption. However to be classified as a “Private” water system,
those systems must provide water to fewer than 25 individuals on a daily basis. The “Potable” water coming from these sources
doesn’t have to exclusively provide drinking water, but also water used for
bathing, waste disposal or even uses such as laundry. Private Water systems can
support a few family homes, small businesses or even barns.
The Ohio Department of Health inspects water quality for
residents to be sure that it isn’t filled with contaminants. A common
microorganism that is checked for in the water is E. Coli, which can cause
disease in otherwise healthy people.
Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli is a bacterium that
exists everywhere in the environment. Some bacteria can be found in our
intestines to help us digest food. Because E. coli exists within the human
body, it exists within our waste. Testing for E. coli in our water can show us
if the water we use to drink, cook, and wash has been contaminated by water
used for waste disposal.
Some strains of E. coli can be extremely dangerous for
humans. Monitoring E. coli in Private Water Systems is therefore very
beneficial to our health.
"E.
coli Answers to Frequently asked Health Questions." Bureau of
Environmental Health, Oct. 2004. Google.
Web. 27 Mar. 2015.
<https://www.odh.ohio.gov/~/media/ODH/ASSETS/Files/eh/HAS/ecoli.ashx>.
"Private
Water Systems." Ohio Department
of Health. Bureau of Environmental Health, 21 Oct. 2014. Google. Web. 27 Mar. 2015.
<https://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/eh/water/PrivateWaterSystems/main.aspx>.
