FAQ Environmental Health

Q:  When is a Sewage & Well Evaluation required, and how much does it cost?  

A:    This evaluation is required any time an existing dwelling, with a septic system and/or water well, changes ownership, as prescribed in Chapter VI, Section 6.2 of the BLDHD District Sanitary Code.  The fee is dependent upon the age of the system and if it has recently been inspected by BLDHD. The fee for the inspection can be found on the BLDHD Fee Schedule.  Click HERE to complete an application for a sewage and water well evaluation.  

Q:  Do I need to apply for a Sewage & Well evaluation when I sell my home if it is on municipal sewer and water?   

A:    No, an evaluation is only required when the dwelling is served by a septic system and/or water well. 

Q:  Do I need to apply for a Sewage & Well Evaluation when I sell a vacant piece of property?   

A:    No, unless there is a septic system and/or water well located on the parcel.  If there is one or both, they will need to be evaluated.  

Q:  How does the Health Department determine the size of a new septic system? 

A:    For residential use, septic tank capacity is based on the number of bedrooms in the dwelling, and whether or not a garbage grinder is installed.  The drainfield size is based on the number of bedrooms and the on-site soil characteristics.  Health Department Sanitarians refer to Chapter III, Section 3.8.1 thru 3.8.5 of the District Sanitary Code for basic sizing requirements when issuing permits.  

Q:  Does the health department have a record of my well and septic installations?  

A:    In some cases, Health Department records date back as far as the 1960’s.  The more recent the installation, however, the more complete our records are likely to be. To find Health Department septic system, water well, or other records on file for your property, go to the Environmental  Health Digital Records Portal.

A couple of useful resource for water well records is the State of Michigan's Wellogic statewide groundwater database for records from the year 2000 to present and for water well records prior to 2000, Michigan's Scanned Water Well Record Retrieval System can be used.   

Q:  Who is responsible for taking water samples from a new well? 

A:   The well owner.  All new wells must be chlorinated then sampled for bacterial and chemical quality before being placed into service.  The cost of these tests is included in the permit fee, and bottles are available from the Health Department.  A well driller may or may not be in the habit of taking care of this task after completing an installation, but it is the owner’s responsibility to see that it gets done.  Click for an explanation of the test results you will receive.

Q:  Should I test my well water for arsenic?  

A:   An arsenic test is not typically part of the approval process for a new well.  Arsenic at levels above the EPA safe limit for drinking water are generally not found in Benzie and Leelanau Counties. The area in Michigan of greatest concern is the southeastern portion of the state.  Click HERE for more information about arsenic in well water. 

Q:  I'm concerned about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).  Where can I find more information about it?

A:  The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) website is an excellent source of information for PFAS. 

Q:  How can I test my home for radon?  

A:    Short-term activated carbon test kits (recommended for initial test) are available through the Health Department for a nominal fee.  Long-term alpha track test kits can be found online and at most hardware stores.  To find out more about radon visit the Radon Section of our website, the EPA Radon Website or Michigan's Indoor Radon Program Website. 

Q:  I’ve noticed foam building up along my shoreline, should I be concerned? 

A:   The foam is most likely due to natural oils produced by the die-off of aquatic plants.  Those oils float to the surface, the mixing and introduction of air by wind and wave action causes bubbles to form, which results in a foam build up.  More information about this naturally occuring phenomenon can be found by clicking HERE.

Q:  What is the status of tick and mosquito borne diseases in our area?  

A:    It is known that ticks, mosquitos, and other vector-borne carriers of disease are found in Benzie and Leelanau Counties.  Citizens are encouraged to take preventative measures to limit the possiblity of being bit while enjoying outdoor activities.    Further information is available at the Michigan Emerging Diseases website.

Q:  What can be done to eliminate mold in my home?  

A:    The Health Department does not test homes for mold.  Mold reproduces by means of tiny spores, which are commonly present in both indoor and outdoor air.  Whether or not these spores succeed in finding a place to grow depends on the moisture level and other factors. The EPA suggests a number of simple ways to prevent or reduce the growth of mold in your home.  Black mold has received much recent publicity.  Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site for more about this toxic variety of mold. 

Mold is part of the natural environment, but sometimes it grows in places where it shouldn’t, including inside our homes or workplaces. Mold can grow in homes if mold spores land on any surfaces that are wet. Damp basements, roof and pipe leaks, and other sources of moisture can provide habitat for mold growth. Being around mold can cause health issues, such as headaches, runny nose, itchy eyes, and coughing. For people with health conditions, such as asthma or other breathing problems, mold can cause more serious health issues. The key to preventing mold growth is preventing moisture in homes.

Learn more about mold by viewing the resources linked below which can be found along with additional information at MDHHS’s All About Mold website: Michigan.gov/Mold.

• All About Mold
• Mold and Your Health
• Steps for Cleaning up Mold
• Mold and Homeowners

Q:  What should I do about an animal bite? 

A:    Some animal bites present a much greater risk of rabies than others.  In the U.S., rabies is mostly found in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. If you or someone you know has been, or may have been, bitten by an animal that may have rabies, it is important to have that animal tested as quickly as possible.  If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential exposure to rabies, it often leads to death. In Michigan, the testing of animals that have potentially exposed people is performed daily by the Michigan Bureau of Laboratories. Arrangements for testing must be made through the Health Department.  Learn more about rabies from the Michigan Emerging Diseases - Rabies website and the Center for Disease Control.