INTERNET RETRIEVAL AND ENTRY OF WATER WELL RECORDS IN OHIO

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Water (DOW) has been using the Internet to disseminate ground water data for the past six years. In October 1999, the DOW created website access to the state's 750,000+ water well records. Prior to serving the data via the web, the DOW received approximately 700 phone and fax requests for well log data each month. After going on-line, the requests dropped immediately to 350/month. When observing the web activity, it was noticed that approximately 2000 hits to the well log database were received each month. Each of those 2000 customers were looking at an average of 15 well records per visit. Therefore, each month approximately 30,000 water well records were being examined on the web. 2005 data indicates that approximately 4000 customers are now searching for well records, examining over 45,000 well records each month. This equates to an increase in well log usage of 500% over the average monthly usage prior to 1999. Links to all of the DOW mapping products are listed along the side and top of the well log search pages. A major enhancement in the search process is currently underway. The new process will allow searching the database by over 30 fields. Images of well records will also be served over the site.

In October 2005, the DOW implemented an on-line filing process for well log records. This process allows the drilling contractors to directly enter data in the DOW database. Over 18 verification processes are run before a log can be submitted. Once a record has been submitted, the system creates an image of the well record in a PDF or TIF format so the contractor can save and/or print out the well record.

Use of the Internet has allowed the DOW to more effectively provide existing ground water data to more people who want and need it to make informed water resources decisions. By putting this information on the web, the DOW has recorded over a 500% increase in the use of this information as compared to the average monthly use in 1998 and early 1999. On-line filing has provided a way to get the data on the website faster and more economically.