Ensuring Water Quality and Safety
Maintaining water quality is a shared responsibility between regulatory agencies, water system operators, and property owners. Regular testing, maintenance, and compliance with water safety regulations help prevent contamination and protect public health.
At LMAS District Health Department, we provide resources and assistance for water system operators, business owners, and private well owners to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Our goal is to safeguard Northern Michigan’s drinking water for current and future generations.
Steps to Obtain an Approved Water Supply
1. Application Submission
The process begins with submitting a completed water supply application along with the required payment. This application allows the health department to review your site and determine the appropriate requirements for your well.
2. Site Evaluation
After submitting your application, you will need to schedule a site evaluation with an environmental health professional. During this evaluation, factors such as property layout, groundwater sources, and potential contamination risks will be assessed to ensure compliance with state and local regulations.
3. Permit Issuance
Once your site evaluation is approved, the LMAS Health Department will issue a permit allowing the installation of a new or replacement well.
4. Well Installation by a Registered Well Driller
A licensed Well Driller, registered with the State of Michigan, must be hired to drill and install the well. Choosing a qualified professional ensures the well is constructed to meet all safety and regulatory standards.
5. Water Quality Testing
After the well is drilled, the property owner will receive a packet containing the permit and water sample bottles. The owner is responsible for collecting water samples and submitting them to a certified laboratory for testing. The required tests include:
Coliform Bacteria – An indicator of potential contamination from surface water or human/animal waste.
Nitrates/Nitrites – High levels can pose health risks, particularly for infants and pregnant women.
6. Well and Pump Record Submission
Upon completion of the well installation, the well driller must submit a Well and Pump Record. This record must be entered into the Michigan Wellogic database or sent directly to the LMAS Health Department for final review and approval.
Non-Community Water Supply Program
A Non-Community Water Supply serves water to at least 25 or more individuals for a minimum of 60 days per year or has 15 or more service connections, but it does not serve a permanent residential population.
Michigan has nearly 10,000 non-community water supply systems, which include:
- Schools
- Restaurants
- Motels and Hotels
- Campgrounds
- Churches
- Roadside Stops
- Businesses and Institutions
To protect public health, these water supplies must meet specific monitoring and testing requirements, including routine sampling for bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants.
Regulatory Oversight & Compliance
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) maintains primacy (state-level authority) over the drinking water program, ensuring compliance with both state and federal standards. To support local efforts, EGLE contracts with local health departments, including LMAS, to manage non-community water supply programs in each county.
Local health departments play a crucial role in:
- Conducting inspections to ensure compliance with water quality standards
- Providing technical assistance to water supply operators
- Collecting and reviewing water samples for safety and contamination risks
- Training and supporting local water system personnel
- Responding to water quality concerns and contamination events
Community and Non-Community Water Supplies
Ensuring safe and reliable drinking water is essential for public health.
The LMAS District Health Department, in collaboration with state and federal agencies, oversees community and non-community water supplies across Northern Michigan. Our role includes monitoring, regulation, and education to ensure that all water systems meet or exceed established safety standards.
Community Water Supply Program
The Community Water Supply Program is responsible for enforcing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and administering the requirements of Michigan’s Safe Drinking Water Act (Act 399).
The primary function of this program is to provide regulatory oversight for approximately 1,425 community public water supplies across Michigan, ensuring that residents have access to clean and safe drinking water year-round.
Non-Community Water Supply Program
A Non-Community Water Supply refers to any water system that provides drinking or potable water to at least 25 people for at least 60 days per year or has a minimum of 15 service connections. These systems are commonly found in schools, restaurants, motels, campgrounds, churches, and other establishments that serve the public.
Michigan has nearly 10,000 non-community water supply systems. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), formerly known as the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), retains state authority over the drinking water program. EGLE collaborates with local health departments, such as LMAS, to regulate and maintain these water systems. Our department works to ensure compliance by offering inspections, technical assistance, training, and program evaluations.
Types of Community and Non-Community Water Supplies
Type I: Community Public Water Supply
- Provides year-round service to at least 25 residents or a minimum of 15 living units.
- Examples: Municipalities, apartment complexes, nursing homes, and mobile home parks.
Type II: Non-Community Public Water Supply
1. Non-Transient Non-Community Water Supply:
- Serves at least 25 of the same people for a minimum of six months per year.
- Examples: Schools, industrial facilities, and workplaces.
2. Transient Non-Community Water Supply:
- Serves at least 25 people or has a minimum of 15 service connections for at least 60 days per year.
- Examples: Hotels, restaurants (with fewer than 25 employees), and campgrounds.
Type III: Public Water Supply
- Any water supply system that does not meet the criteria of Type I or Type II.
- Serves fewer than 25 people or has fewer than 15 connections, or operates for less than 60 days per year.
- Examples: Small apartment complexes, condominiums, duplexes, and similar properties.
Private Water Supply
- Serves a single household or living unit.
- Examples: Private wells for single-family homes.
Residential Water Supply
Type II & Type III Water Supply
Existing Facility Evaluation
Evaluation of location and construction of existing water well and provide water quality analysis. Some home loan programs require an evaluation of private water supplies.
Existing Facility Evaluation Information & Forms
