Michigan Water Well Permits
The mission of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is to protect the health of Michigan’s citizens who rely on water wells as their drinking water source through implementation of the Michigan Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Code (Part 127, Act 368, PA 1978 and Administrative Rules). Protection of public health, ground water resources, and aquifers is accomplished by assuring that water wells are constructed, operated, and decommissioned in a technically sound manner.
Download the Well & Septic Permit Application HERE
View more Kent County Environmental Health Services information HERE
- All services require marking by MISS Dig for underground utilities prior to site visit. Persons performing groundbreaking activities on site are required to submit a ticket to MISS Dig for the marking of the property. Unmarked properties will result in delay or postponement of service.
- Failure to show up for an appointment may result in a $75 charge.
- Application fees are non-refundable after 90 days from the date of application or after initiation of any field activities/services. Refund Request Form (pdf)
- A $50 processing fee applies to all applications cancelled prior to field work.
- Permits and site evaluations are valid for 2 years and are non-transferrable.
Download the Well & Septic Permit Application HERE
Application: Apply for a permit. Well permits are often issued from the office and may not include a site visit (skip to Step 5.)
Contact: A Health Department representative may contact you to schedule the appointment or follow up with your application.
Site Evaluation: A sanitarian may evaluate the proposed site to determine if the site is suitable for an on-site well based on the requirements of the sanitary code. Some of the specific items that are examined during the evaluation are:
Contamination sources
Water quantity and availability
Horizontal separation distance from contamination source(s), surface waters, property lines.
Easements, right-of-ways, & building setbacks
Location of buried utilities and other site improvements
Existing development on adjacent lots
Permit approval: The Sanitarian will issue your permit. It will be sent via email or mail, based on your application information.
New build sites differ in the following ways from general application process: A well permit is required from the health department prior to obtaining a building permit. Any construction prior to permit issuance is a violation of the Sanitary Code. Prior to the site visit, a vacant property and proposed well location must be marked/flagged so the Sanitarian can identify the site and desired location of the proposed well. No variations or deviations are allowed. Any applicable local codes must also be followed (I.e. subdivisions.) Prior to the site visit, the site itself and proposed septic and well locations must be marked/flagged.
Irrigation wells: In addition to obtaining a CMDHD permit, large quantity water withdrawls (with capacity of 75 gallons/minute or greater) are required to be registered through the EGLE Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool.
View more Central-Michigan Environmental Health Services information HERE
We are always happy to fill out all the necessary permits and for you. We understand that paperwork for new or replacement water well systems can be stressful and time consuming if you’re not used to completing it on a regular basis. Click below if you would like some assistance filling out the forms or if you don’t see your county listed above!
Water Well Resourcess
Well Drilling, Well Pump, Tank, Well Repair and Well Replacement in Rockford, Grand Rapids, Lowell. Greenville, Belding, Ionia, Ada, Caledonia, Belmont, Sparta, Cedar Springs, Fremont, Howard City, Newaygo, Marne, Kent City, Walker, Sand Lake, Gowen, Lakeview, White Cloud, Grant, Alto and Comstock Park.