Van Wert City Council voted Monday (6-8-26) to begin drafting legislation that would prohibit the construction of any new private wells within city limits, following an extended discussion on how current regulations apply to residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
The issue surfaced during the Streets and Alleys Committee report, when members reviewed existing language in Section 151.165** of the subdivision regulations. That section states that “no private well shall be permitted,” but council members noted the rule applies only when a property is going through the subdivision process. They said that leaves uncertainty for developments that do not require subdivision approval.
Several members said residents have expressed concern about the possibility of new wells being drilled, particularly as the city continues discussions related to industrial development. One member said the city should “strengthen that and be sure,” even though officials agreed they were not aware of any current plans to drill new wells.
Council members also discussed how existing wells are handled. One member described a past situation in which a homeowner was required to connect to city water after a well failed, noting that older wells are typically allowed to remain in use for non‑drinking purposes until they become inoperable. Members agreed that any new ordinance should clearly grandfather existing wells.
After discussion, council voted unanimously to prepare legislation that would prohibit all new wells within city limits while allowing current wells to remain. The draft will be prepared for future review.