Water Supply Program 

A significant number of local residents and businesses obtain their drinking water by means of groundwater wells. Properly locating, constructing, maintaining, and monitoring groundwater wells is critical to the prevention of waterborne illnesses. 

The Environmental Health Division evaluates proposed well locations and issues well construction permits for family dwellings and small businesses. Once a permit is obtained, an applicant may enlist a registered well driller to install the well. Registered well drillers are required to construct wells in accordance with Michigan’s Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Code, Part 127, Act 368 of P.A. 1978, as amended, and rules,  the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department – District Sanitary Code, and (if serving a public water supply) the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, Act 399 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended, and rules. 

The following program areas related to water wells are administered by the Environmental Health Division: 

Permit Required 

• Installation of a water supply well used to obtain water for drinking or domestic purposes 
• Installation of an irrigation well used to provide water for plants, livestock, or other agricultural processes 
• Installation of a test well for the purpose of designing or operating a water supply well 
• Installation of a heat exchange (geothermal) well 
• Installation of an industrial well used to supply water for industrial processes, fire protection, or similar non-potable uses. 
• Any extensive modification or repair of an existing water supply well  

To Obtain Final Approval for a New Water Supply Well  

A new water supply shall not receive final approval from BLDHD until the following conditions have been met: 

• A completed “Water Well and Pump Record”, prepared by the well driller and/or pump installer, as applicable, has been submitted to the BLDHD. 
• A BLDHD Health Officer has completed an on-site water well component construction inspection. 
• BLDHD has received copies of the results of the analysis of water samples indicating that raw water quality meets minimum public health standards. Water sample analysis shall include coliform bacteria, nitrate, and any other parameter deemed necessary by BLDHD to determine compliance with the District Sanitary Code or other applicable laws. Analysis of water samples shall be performed by laboratories certified by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). 

Forms 

• Sewage & Well Permit Application 
• Residential/Commercial Review for Remodeling Application
• Existing System Evaluation (Sewage and/or Water Well) Application
• Board of Appeals Application (PDF)- Benzie County
• Board of Appeals Application (PDF)- Leelanau County
• Nuisance Complaint 

Regulations 

• BLDHD District Sanitary Code (PDF) 
• BLDHD District Sanitary Code- Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
• Water Supply and Sewer Systems (Part 127 of Michigan Public Health Code)  
• Michigan’s Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Administrative Rules 
• Michigan’s Safe Drinking Water Act (Act 399 of the Public Acts of 1976) 
• Michigan’s Safe Drinking Water Act Administrative Rules