Drinking Water Quality

Sanitarians work to minimize the threat of surface water and ground water contamination from malfunctioned or improperly designed, installed or maintained household sewage treatment systems (HSTS), or other environmental hazards, in order to prevent disease transmission and to protect the quality of surface and ground water .

Sewage Treatment System Program
There are over 6,000 household sewage treatment systems in Defiance County that if properly maintained, can be a safe and effective mean of wastewater disposal. However, failed or improperly discharging sewage system can cause sewage to contaminate our surface and ground water, the same water that we all swim in and drink. DCHGD Sanitarians perform inspections, regulate contractors, educate homeowners, and enforce sewage regulations.

Operation and Maintenance Program
Effective May, 2020 DCGHD began administration of operation and maintenance (O&M) management for sewage treatment systems and system owner education. To develop the O&M program, owners of private septic systems shall submit an application and fee to the Health District to permit their system for Operation and Maintenance. More information on this program can be found on the O&M page.

Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae—simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater—grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal. HABs have been reported in every U.S. coastal state, and their occurrence may be on the rise. HABs are a national concern because they affect not only the health of people and marine ecosystems, but also the ‘health’ of local and regional economies. DCGHD monitors rivers conditions and stays in contact with Defiance Water Treatment plant to stay informed of the developing HABs in Defiance County.

For information about HABs from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, visit their website  here.
Ohio Department of Health has resources for Harmful Algal Blooms  here.

PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals applied to many consumer goods to make them waterproof, stain resistant, or nonstick. PFAS are also used in products like cosmetics, fast food packaging, and a type of firefighting foam called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) which are used mainly on large spills of flammable liquids, such as jet fuel. 

PFAS are classified as contaminants of emerging concern, meaning that research into the harm they may cause to human health is still ongoing. The most commonly studied PFAS are perfuorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA).

PFAS can enter drinking water at sites where they are made, used, disposed of, or spilled. PFAS can be found in the air near manufacturing facilities and can enter rainwater. PFAS are very mobile and can be transported through rainwater run-off and enter surface water (lakes, ponds, etc.) or seep through the soil and migrate into ground water (underground sources of drinking water). Because PFAS are very long-lasting and are not easily broken down by sunlight or other natural processes, they may remain in the environment for many years. 

If a public water system or your private well gets its water from a surface or ground water source that is contaminated with PFAS, and the water is not properly treated to remove the PFAS, the chemicals may be in your drinking water and can pass into your body when you ingest (drink or eat food cooked in) them.

DCGHD Sanitarians can collect water samples to submit for testing.

Bacteria and Parameter Testing – The department provides bacterial testing of a new or altered water systems and testing for daycare facilities, realty inspections and foster care. 

Additional Chemical Testing – Our office can collect samples for additional chemical testing on Wednesday afternoons. 

Samples can also be collected by home/property owners and sent to a private lab. Access the from below to have DCGHD collect a sample, or visit one of the private lab websites below for more information.

If you have received water results from a lab test, and want to find out what the results mean, visit the OSU Extension Office “Know Your Well Water” page.