Groundwater exists in the pore spaces between soil or rock particles. When all the pore spaces are filled up and the soils and rocks are saturated, an aquifer is formed. It can be drawn out of the ground and used for drinking water by wells.
Over 50% of people use groundwater as a source of drinking water. While surface waters are easily polluted, groundwater is somewhat protected by the soil that not only covers it, but also acts as a filter when groundwater passes through it.
| Groundwater contamination occurs when any man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts, and chemicals get into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit for human use. Some of the major sources of these products are storage tanks, septic systems, hazardous waste sites, landfills, and the widespread use of road salts and chemicals. An important fact to remember is that water is part of a cycle, and that any chemical released into the air also has the potential to get into the groundwater. |
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According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) figures, groundwater provides an estimated:
 | 22% of all freshwater withdrawals. |
| 37% of agricultural use (mostly for irrigation) |
| 37% of the public water supply withdrawals. |
| 51% of all drinking water for the total population. |
| 99% of drinking water for the rural population. |
A well is a hole drilled into an aquifer to draw or monitor water. A pipe and a pump are used to pull water out of the ground, and a screen filters out unwanted particles that could clog the pipe. Wells come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of material the well is drilled into and how much water is being pumped out. Well permits are available at the Environmental Health Office for new construction or replacement systems.
OBTAINING A WELL PERMITThere are some easy steps to acquiring a well for your property:
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| Once the permit is issued, a well driller may then be contacted and the well can be drilled. | |
After the well is drilled, the well contractor and the homeowner have some responsibilities.
Well Driller Responsibilities:
| Chlorinate (Sanitize) the well |
| Fill out and submit a water well record (well log) to the homeowner, the local health department, and maintain a copy for his/her records. |
Homeowner Responsibilities:
| Contact the health department and arrange for a final inspection of the water well and pressure tank |
| Collect and submit a water sample to be tested for Coliform bacteria |
| The well permit may require and/or the homeowner(s) may wish to collect a separate sample for partial chemical analysis ($14 lab fee). |
Partial chemical analysis consists of: Nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, hardness, fluoride, sodium, chloride, and iron
Water sample bottles are available at the health department.
It is not uncommon for wells to quit functioning or fail to produce water after a certain period of time, and a replacement well needs to be constructed. If this happens the old well needs to be properly abandoned (plugged). Plugging of an abandoned well must be done in accordance with the law and performed by a licensed well driller. After the well is plugged, an abandoned well record is provided to the homeowner and sent to the health department for review.
TESTING YOUR WATERThere are two main things to look for when testing water: the presence or absence of coliform bacteria, and the level of nitrate in the water. Coliform bacteria are commonly found in soils, on vegetation, and in surface water, as well as in the intestines of mammals. Bacteria washed into the ground by rainfall or snowmelt are usually filtered out as water seeps through the soil. Properly constructed water wells do not typically harbor coliform bacteria and coliform bacteria do not occur naturally in Michigan aquifers. However, they can be introduced into a well during construction and can remain if the water system is not thoroughly disinfected.
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A safe (non-detected)
coliform bacteria sample is required for all new wells drilled in the
district. However, sampling is recommended if:
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For a "Homeowners Guide to Water Sampling" brochure click
here.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a maximum contaminant level for nitrate (as nitrogen) at 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 10 parts per million (ppm). If a well is generating nitrates above 10 mg/L, it is recommended that an alternate source of drinking water be developed, where possible, and bottled water be used for preparing infant formula. Private water supply owners with excessive nitrate should contact the Environmental Health offices for further consultation on reducing nitrate levels.
Although there are treatment devices, which can remove nitrate from drinking water, this equipment requires frequent, careful maintenance and sampling to operate effectively. Improperly installed, operated or maintained equipment can result in nitrate passing through the treatment process. If a satisfactory level of nitrates cannot be obtained from a new well and the use of a nitrate removal system is to be used, one with National Sanitation Foundation or equivalent certification should be selected. Boiling water will not remove nitrate and can concentrate it.
If nitrate contamination is known to the area, or a sample indicates nitrate levels approaching 10 mg/L, a minimum of annual sampling is recommended.
If you have further questions regarding water sampling, please contact the health department.
WHAT IS A PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY?A public water supply is any water supply system serving drinking water to establishments other than a single-family residence. |
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ARE YOU A TYPE II?A Type II water supply is a non-community, or non-residential, public water supply system that provides its own water from a well to 25 or more persons at least 60 days of the year or has 15 or more connections for drinking water purposes. Examples of Type II’s are motels, factories, schools, restaurants, campgrounds, township parks, and businesses that have their own wells and serve 25 or more people (including employees) per day. |
ARE YOU A TRANSIENT OR NON-TRANSIENT SUPPLY?A Non-transient water supply is one that serves the same 25 or more persons on a regular basis (at least 4 hours a day, 4 days a week) for 6 months or more per year. Examples are schools, daycare centers, factories, offices, and other work sites. A Transient water supply serves 25 or more different persons per day at least 60 days of the year and includes parks, campgrounds, churches, marinas, and motels/restaurants/medical offices with less than 25 employees. |
MONITORING REQUIREMENTSTwo substances for which monitoring standards have been set pose an immediate threat to health whenever the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) are exceeded and are required of all Type II supplies, both transient and non-transient.. They are Coliform Bacteria and Nitrate. For more information on non-community water supplies visit the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) website. |
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Sampling requirements can be confusing at times. The Barry-Eaton District Health Department has, in the past, tried to ease the confusion by creating a sampling calendar for every active Type II in the district. It is a one-time reminder for the year that is sent out in the beginning the year to remind facilities of their minimum annual sampling requirements. |
SANITARY SURVEYS AS AN EVALUATION TOOLSanitary surveys are conducted once every five years by the Barry-Eaton District Health Department. The purpose of the survey is:
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| Well Disinfection Manual |
| Safe Drinking Water Act |
ON-SITE SEWAGE SYSTEM PROGRAMThe On-Site Sewage System Management Program under the direction of the Barry- Eaton District Health Department Sanitary Code is a program that endeavors to assure that the residents in the District will avoid exposure to untreated sewage and to reduce contamination of groundwater and surface water resources. |
Elements of the On-Site Sewage Program:
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SITE EVALUATIONSThe Site Evaluation (previously called "perk test") is the first step in the process of determining if an existing or proposed parcel that does not have municipal wastewater services available can be considered for an on-site septic system. After an application has been made, a sanitarian will evaluate the proposed site to determine if the conditions on the site meet the requirements that are in the Sanitary Code. Some of the specific items that are examined during the evaluation are: |
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To obtain an application for a site evaluation, click here.
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SEPTIC PERMITSIf the results of the Site Evaluation allow for the parcel to be developed, the next step in the process is the application for a septic system permit. Once the application has been submitted and the appropriate fee is paid, the system’s construction can be authorized by one of our sanitarians. To obtain a septic permit, click here. |
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FINAL INSPECTIONSFinal inspections are performed on newly installed systems after this office has been notified by the installer that the septic system has been completed. The sanitarian will visit the site and inspect the installation of the system, assuring that it was installed according to the requirements that were indicated on the permit. After the system has been given final approval by the sanitarian, an approved tag is provided and the system can then be covered. |
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ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS:If the parcel does not meet the minimum requirements for a conventional system, it may be a candidate for an alternative type septic system. The following types of alternative systems are currently recognized within the District.
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Each of these types of alternative type of septic systems requires particular minimum standards in order to be used upon a parcel. If you have any questions regarding the use of an alternative type septic system, contact the Environmental Health Division at 517-541-2615 in Eaton County and 269-945-9516 (press 3 then 5) in Barry County. |
OPERATION & MAINTENANCEProper septic system maintenance can prevent premature failures and contamination problems from occurring. It will also assure that your system operates effectively throughout its expected lifetime. Replacing a septic system is costly, so proper maintenance makes good economic sense. There are several important things that homeowners can do to ensure that their septic system is properly maintained: |
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For more information on prolonging the life of your drainfield please visit the following links: http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_short.pdf http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg_septic.html |
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REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION |
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Complaint investigation is one of the components of the groundwater
protection program that allows residents within the district to file a written
request with this office regarding a failed on-site sewage system, water supply
problem or other potential health hazard. Once this office receives the request
for investigation, a Sanitarian will investigate the complaint and, if
warranted, will require that corrections be made to remedy the situation. To
download a complaint form, click here.
On-Site Sewage Program LinksMichigan Department of Environmental QualityEnvironmental Protection Agency |
