Ohio county well guide

Well Water in Highland County, OH: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 840 households in Highland County, 5% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
5%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Highland County5%
Ohio average18%
2licensed contractors serve the county
40+ mito a certified lab; mail-in kits recommended
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

Wells are the exception in Highland County: about 840 households, under 5% of the county, are on a private well. Being in the minority means less local help, so this page gathers what applies.

Local rules for wells in Highland County

The rules that apply in Highland County are set at the state level in Ohio. New wells must be tested before use, and nothing is required at sale. Some counties and townships add permits or setbacks of their own, so check locally before drilling. The state's own recommendations are below.

At a glance

Water test for a new wellRequired

Under OAC 3701-28 a permit from the local health district is required before a well is drilled or altered. When the work is done, the owner asks the health district for the final inspection, and a sanitarian collects the water sample: total coliform, E. coli and nitrate. The system is approved only when the sample passes (4 or fewer total coliform per 100 mL and no E. coli for a well without continuous disinfection).

Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide

No statewide requirement. Most local health districts offer a real-estate evaluation of the well on request (a visual inspection plus a bacteria and nitrate sample), and some lenders ask for one. Ask the county health district for its fee and turnaround.

What the state recommends

ODH recommends a total coliform and nitrate test every year, and every time the water changes in taste, color or smell, after flooding, or after any work on the well or pump. Add arsenic, iron and manganese, hardness and sulfate at least once, and PFAS or methane where local conditions call for it.

Free or low-cost testingAvailable

No statewide free program. Several county health districts run their own labs (Erie, Logan, Mahoning, Canton City among them) and sell bacteria and nitrate tests at cost; others sell bottles from a certified lab. OSU Extension fact sheet AEX-315 lists labs that accept samples from homeowners.

Getting your water tested near Highland County

Highland County has no certified lab within 40 miles, so most owners here test by mail. Order bottles from a certified lab, sample from the cold tap before any treatment, and ship the same day with an ice pack.

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Licensed well contractors serving Highland County

Licensed help in Highland County includes Gregory Drilling LLC and Vilvens & Sons Excavating LLC. Every listing was matched to the Ohio license list; the "verify" link on each profile opens the state lookup.

Well depth and water chemistry

Well depth and water chemistry in Highland County follow the rock underneath it. Typical wells here run 50 to 200 ft in glacial sand and gravel; 100 to 400 ft in bedrock in the east and south feet. Contaminants worth testing for in this part of Ohio include coliform bacteria, nitrate (northwest and central farm counties), arsenic (glacial aquifers in northwest and central ohio), iron.

Typical well depth

Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.

Contaminants to test for
  • Coliform bacteria
  • Nitrate (northwest and central farm counties)
  • Arsenic (glacial aquifers in northwest and central Ohio)
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Hardness
  • Sulfate and hydrogen sulfide (eastern shale and coal country)
  • Radium and uranium (some sandstone and shale wells)
  • Methane (near oil and gas fields)

Neighboring counties: Clinton County, Fayette County, Brown County, Adams County.

What well work costs in Highland County

Basic bacteria and nitrate test$25 to $75lab fee, homeowner sample
Full panel lab test$150 to $400metals, VOCs, radiologicals
Well inspection$250 to $550flow, pressure, visual, water test
Submersible pump replacement$1,200 to $4,500parts and labor
Pressure tank replacement$400 to $1,200installed
Whole-house treatment system$800 to $6,000softener, iron filter, UV, RO
New well drilled$5,500 to $25,000about $25 to $65 per foot
Shock chlorination$80 to $300or about $20 as a DIY job

National ranges from published 2025 to 2026 contractor pricing. Local quotes vary with depth, access and materials.

Questions Highland County well owners ask

How many homes in Highland County are on a well?

About 840, or 5% of households, based on Census housing data and state well surveys. The share is highest outside the towns with public water.

Where is the closest certified lab to Highland County?

There is no certified lab within 40 miles. Use a mail-in kit from a Ohio certified lab, or the county health department if it collects samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Highland County?

Under OAC 3701-28 a permit from the local health district is required before a well is drilled or altered. When the work is done, the owner asks the health district for the final inspection, and a sanitarian collects the water sample: total coliform, E. coli and nitrate. The system is approved only when the sample passes (4 or fewer total coliform per 100 mL and no E. coli for a well without continuous disinfection).

What does a well test cost near Highland County?

A bacteria and nitrate test runs $25 to $75 at most certified labs; a full panel with metals is $150 to $400. Mail-in kits cost about the same as walking in.