SAVE FARM ON CENTRAL

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Our family farm relies on well water—clean, chemical-free water drawn from an aquifer beneath our fields that the Carlisle (and beyond) communities have relied on for decades. We test it regularly, and the results consistently meet every EPA standard for safety, with no E. coli or harmful contaminants. This should carry weight, especially for a small farm like ours.

But, because of health regulations, we either need to hook up to city water OR...

To use this well water in our store, we must obtain EPA approval to be classified as a "public water system." According to Brian, our local EPA representative, who has been responsive and more than helpful in guiding us through the process:

“If you are preparing food/drinks with water and you have 25 or more people visiting Farm on Central for 60 or more days a year, this will qualify as a public water system.”

Yup, folks, you’ve made us that popular… We qualify…

The approval process is extensive, taking over 90 days and involving multiple steps. Brian outlined the timeline and requirements:

“It is our office’s goal to have approvals completed within 90 days of detailed plan submission. If you can show the County Health Department Inspector that you are working with Ohio EPA to become a public water system (PWS), it may be helpful. Give them my contact information.

There are various factors that are outside our control including how long it takes for a well driller to conduct a well pump test, how long it takes for the lab to complete analysis and submit results, and how long it takes for Farm on Central to complete the initial application and the detailed plan submittal.

The following is an outline of the main steps in the process to becoming an Ohio EPA approved public water system (PWS):

New PWS application submittal – Farm on Central

Well Site Visit – Ohio EPA and Farm on Central

Well Site Approval letter – Ohio EPA

Well pump test and new well analysis – Farm on Central, Contractors, Certified Lab

Detail Plan Submittal – Farm on Central

Detail Plan Review – Ohio EPA and Farm on Central

Final PWS approval letter – Ohio EPA”

And how much would THIS all cost?

“We don’t normally track costs for public water systems to get approved and operate. Just to get the well pump tested and new well analysis, I would expect costs to be from $1,500 up to $3,000.  The annual license to operate is currently $112 for one well.  Typical routine monitoring for a transient would be a quarterly bacteria sample and annual nitrate/nitrite. Each bacteria sample runs from $50 if you collect it and take it to the lab to $125 if someone else collects it and takes it to the lab. 

If treatment is required, it will make your system a Class 1 classified water system requiring a certified operator of record to be in charge of the water treatment system with multiple weekly visits and additional reporting requirements. It will likely cost a couple hundred dollars a month for their services, if you can find an appropriately certified operator willing to take on the responsibility of the system.”

So I get a lead on a certified operator (thanks Chris) whom we’ll call Joe. Joe lives in the Carlisle area and is more than happy to help, but even he says:

“Michael, just hook up to the city water. We can put treatment options in if we need to, but the EPA is getting stricter and stricter and you don’t want to have to deal with them if you don’t have to.” 

So we’re taking the plunge. To avoid delays and uncertain, continued costs (90+ days plus to be back fully open), we’re investing $20,000 to connect our store to city water—a significant expense for a family farm. While our fields can and will continue using well water for crops, the same water isn’t permitted for store use without this very extensive approval. Instead, we’ll  have to rely on city water, which contains additives like fluoride that we’ve worked to avoid for our family and customers. (don't worry, there are ways to mitigate this, just additional cost!)

And where will that 20K be spent?

$16,500 to Plumbing Contractor
>>Permits, bonding
>>Boring under the road while avoiding the gas lines (that's the important part)

>>Installing curb stop and shutoff
>>Connecting to Barn water system

>>Installing backflow preventer and pressure tank

$3,176.20 to City of Carlisle

>>Meter Set Fee - 1.5" meter $1,005.70

>>Water Tap Fee 1.5". $2,170.50

And there will be some money not captured in either of these to be fully hooked up.

This is why so many family farms give up! Every dollar spent on bureaucracy is a dollar we can’t use to grow healthy food. It feels like hoops for the sake of hoops. And it’s exactly the kind of regulation and bureaucracy that keeps good, honest farms fighting just to keep the lights on.

And let me be honest—it takes a real toll. There have been days when I sat in meetings, completely overwhelmed. My mind would spin so fast I couldn’t even remember the names of folks I’ve known for years, let alone pick up the phone and make the call I needed to make. The weight of all this can leave you feeling lost, drained, and helpless.

That’s why we’re not stopping here. We’re pushing for legislative change, working to fix these broken systems so the next farm doesn’t have to battle this same regulatory black hole. With your help, we’re taking this fight to the folks who make the rules, and we won’t back down until we’ve shared our story.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for sticking with us. Thank you for caring about food, family, and the future. Together, we’re not just surviving—we’re fighting for something that matters.

—Michael Kilpatrick