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Ohio Laws and Rules
(A) All new, repaired, or altered private water systems shall be disinfected with chlorine to neutralize contamination after construction, development, installation, alteration, or repair, prior to water being removed for human consumption.
(1) The person performing the construction, development, installation, alteration, or repair shall disinfect the private water system according to this rule at the time of completion of the portion of work performed by that person.
(2) The owner of the private water system shall ensure that the entire private water system, including the plumbing and all related fixtures are disinfected in accordance with this rule, prior to placing that private water system into service.
(B) Procedures for disinfection shall be as follows:
(1) The gallons of water to be disinfected shall be determined by calculating the total capacity of the private water system including water stored in a well casing, cistern or spring box, pressure tanks, existing plumbing and attached fixtures, and all related storage, excluding water stored in a pond.
(2) When calcium hypochlorite chlorine is used for disinfection, the tablets or granules shall be completely dissolved in water prior to placement into the well. Sodium Hypochlorite solutions shall be used within the manufacturer’s posted expiration date. Sodium hypochlorite solutions with fragrance additives shall not be used for disinfection of private water systems. Sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite shall not be mixed with other chemicals for disinfection purposes and all manufacturer’s directions must be followed. Calcium hypochlorite products should not be used to disinfect wells completed in limestone aquifers, or where the water in the well has high levels of dissolved calcium.
(3) The following procedures apply to cisterns, hauled water storage tanks and spring boxes:
(a) All loose debris, sediment, mineral encrustation and bacterial slime shall be removed from the cisterns, hauled water storage tank or spring box prior to,disinfection.
(b) A solution of one thousand milligrams per liter of chlorine shall be prepared in a storage container. The quantity of solution prepared shall be of sufficient volume to disinfect the entire cistern, hauled water storage tank, or spring box and all related storage, or pressure tanks, existing plumbing and attached fixtures.
(c) This solution shall be used to thoroughly rinse all sides of the cistern, hauled water storage tank and spring box. The solution shall then be circulated through the water supply system distribution lines.
(4) The following procedures shall apply to a well:
(a) All loose debris, sediment, mineral encrustation and bacterial slime shall be removed from the well prior to disinfection.
(b) A disinfectant solution shall be prepared as calculated from table two or three and poured into the well. For a new installation, an amount of disinfectant to make a two hundred and fifty parts per million chlorine solution shall be prepared. For an alteration, an amount of disinfectant to make a five hundred parts per million chlorine solution shall be prepared.
(c) The water in the well shall be agitated or surged to ensure even dispersal of the disinfectant throughout the entire water column.
Table 1. volume of
Water in well
Diameter Gallons
Of well Per foot
(Inches) Of water
3 0.37
4 0.65
5 1.0
6 1.5
8 2.6
Table 2. Amount of chlorine added to 100 gallons of water for
Disinfection
Chlorine Gallons of Pounds of dry Minimum
Concentration 5.25% Sodium Calcium Contact time
(Parts per Hypochlorite – Hypochlorite
Million) Liquid bleach
250 0.5 Gallons 0.38 8 Hours
500 PPM 1 Gallons 0.75 Pounds 8 Hours
Table 3. Quantity of disinfectant for a bored or dug well
(1000 PPM)
Diameter of well Amount of 5.25% Amount of 68%
(Feet) Sodium hypochlorite Chlorine granules
Per foot of water Per foot of water
3 0.15 Gallons (2.5 Cups) 2 Ounces
4 0.25 Gallons (4 Cups) 3 Ounces
5 0.4 Gallons (6 cups) 4 Ounces
6 0.5 Gallons (8 Cups) 6 Ounces
7 0.75 Gallons (12 Cups) 8 Ounces
8 1 Gallon 10 Ounces
10 1.5 Gallons 1 Pound
(d) A chlorinated water solution shall be used to wash down the sides of the well casing for a minimum of ten minutes. The chlorinated solution shall be dispersed throughout the entire water column in the well.
(e) Chlorinated water shall then be circulated through the distribution system and the plumbing within the dwelling or building.
(5) Chlorinated water shall be maintained in the well, line, tanks or boxes and the distribution system for a minimum of eight hours of contact time or for a minimum of thirty minutes if a free chlorine residual of fifty milligrams per liter at a Ph of less than eight is measured.
(6) All water in the plumbing, and the well, hauled water storage tank, spring box or cistern shall then be discharged until the odor of chlorine disappears.
(C) If a total coliform positive sample is obtained, the private water system shall be rechlorinated in accordance with this rule and resampled to include detection for escherichia coli in addition to total coliform. When more than two samples test positive for total coliform or escherichia coli are collected from a well, the well shall be superchlorinated. For the purposes of this rule, superchlorination is the introduction of a chlorinated solution of not less than one thousand parts per million of chlorine into the well by one of the following methods:
(1) Installation of an inflatable packer above the aquifer and the injection of chlorinated water into the aquifer under pressures greater than atmospheric;
(2) The introduction of a volume of chlorinated water that is twice the total volume of water stored in the casing into the well to displace chlorinated water into the aquifer; or
(3) Other methods approved in writing by the director.
(D) If total coliform or escherichia coli are found in samples from the well after superchlorination, the department shall notify the director and shall undertake an investigation of the private water system to determine the source of contamination and approve possible remediation measures, including continuous disinfection as described in rule 3701-28-09 of the Administrative Code.
(E) All water samples shall be collected and processed in accordance with rule 3701-28-04 of the Administrative Code.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/23/2004 and 11/15/2009
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3701.344
Rule Amplifies: 3701.344
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1981, 1/1/2000