For a Summit County home transfer involving a private well or sewage treatment system, begin with the system that is actually on the property. The private-water and sewage exemption forms are separate; an exception for one does not automatically clear the other.
Summit County Public Health’s point-of-sale instructions call for inspection by a registered private contractor before covered residential transfers. The agency says results do not prevent a transfer, although identified nuisance conditions can require follow-up. Point-of-sale instructions
Make two system records
| Record | Questions for the transfer file |
|---|---|
| Private water system | Is there a well, including a well retained for irrigation? Is municipal water also present? |
| Sewage treatment system | Is there an onsite system, and is there a recent qualifying inspection or replacement record? |
| Proposed exemption | Which specific system and exemption form does the request cover? |
| Delivery | Which current submission address has Public Health confirmed? |
The linked exemption packet contains separate pages for sewage and private water. Both place the request with the buyer before closing. Recent point-of-sale inspections or system replacement can be relevant, but the agency must review the particular evidence. Exemption forms
The private-water form also addresses municipal water combined with a retained irrigation well and references alteration-permit approval. Do not treat “the house has city water” as a complete description if another water system remains onsite.
Resolve the email mismatch before sending documents
The current point-of-sale webpage gives wqpos@schd.org, while the linked form prints wqpos@scph.org. Those spellings are different. Call the listed Public Health water-quality number, 330-926-5600, to confirm the current destination rather than silently choosing a version.
Keep the confirmed address and any acknowledgement with the transfer documents. This comparison identifies the mismatch; it does not establish that either mailbox is inactive. Web instructions Form contact
Prepare the property without altering the evidence
The agency says a vacant property or unavailable water does not by itself remove the inspection requirement. Its instructions also caution against pumping the sewage tank before inspection and call for access to relevant components and the interior. Coordinate access with the registered inspector; this is not an instruction to excavate lids or enter a tank yourself. Inspection preparation
Before closing, confirm:
- which systems need inspection or an exemption request;
- who is responsible for arranging access;
- which supporting records are being submitted;
- whether the agency has issued the applicable transfer certificate or decision.
A submitted form is not an approved exemption, and a point-of-sale record is not a guarantee of future water quality or system performance.