Well & Septic Ordinance Information

LAPORTE COUNTY — Earlier this year, the La Porte County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance that will affect anyone buying or selling property in La Porte County.

This ordinance, which goes into effect July 1, will require septic and water tests to be done on all residential and commercial properties with sales or transfers with a closing date of July 1 or after.

The ordinance suggests these tests be conducted as early as possible in the transfer process.

The purpose of this ordinance, which was drafted with the assistance of a committee made of a member of the LaPorte County REALTORS Association, LaPorte County Health Department, Banker, Title Company, and the LaPorte County Council, is to “protect the health, safety, welfare and property of the residents of La Porte County by ensuring appropriate information is provided to prospective buyers concerning the quality of the drinking water and the status of the septic system prior to the acquisition of properties.”

These tests must be performed by certified inspectors who are registered with the La Porte County Health Department.

“The health department may issue an appropriate order to repair, replace or clean any system or part of a system that has failed, is in violation of applicable public health codes or is a threat to ground water, surface water or public health,” the ordinance states in regards to septic inspections.

Each well is required to be tested for total coliform, E. coli and nitrate, as well as any additional tests “deemed reasonable and ordered by the health officer to the extent that the tests protect against a health threat.”

LaPorte County Association of REALTORS President Brad Anderson said, “he was happy to see all the organizations work together to write this ordinance for a better LaPorte County”.

Results of these inspections will be valid for one year.