Its raining-Who do I call?

In Ohio there is not a specific agency that oversees and manages all of the water resources in Ohio. Water is typically abundant and often times taken for granted. The laws and managing agencies can be very confusing and oftentimes non-existent because drainage laws are often left as civil issues to be decided by the courts.

Here are some of the most common calls we handle in our office. Drainage Our staff assists landowners with advice on their water issues. This includes excess standing water, stream bank erosion, and improving water flow through the property. Any building permits, questions or complaints should be directed first to our county building department. Our office can help with solutions to
problems that landowners are willing to fix on their own or with their neighbors. Our office is not regulatory.

Agriculture
Our office works closely with federal and state programs to help agriculture operations address environmental concerns including cropland drainage, farm lot water management, stream protection, among other projects and programs.

Ponds
We provide educational services to help maintain existing ponds and storm water basins, as well as guidance in placement of new ponds.

Storm Water
Storm structures throughout the county are maintained by many different agencies and private landowners. Typically the municipality who owns the road, maintains the right-of way
(ROW) structures (not including driveway culverts). Those structures outside the ROW and on private property are mostly the responsibility of individual landowners or home
owner associations. If you have a problem on your street, call your township or municipality for service. Our office maintains the GIS maps for the public storm water structures.

Our office does not address the following water issues you may have.
– Public water pipes and leaks- call your local provider on water bill.
– Landowner dispute resolutions, however, we can provide guidance and recommendations.
– Water testing for cisterns and ponds. If for home drinking water contact the General Health District