DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT NO. 2
POLICY STATEMENT
Program:
Private and Type III Public Water Supply Program
Subject:
Well First Policy
Date:
Approved by Board of Health March 28, 2011
Policy
The Environmental Health Division of District Health Department No 2 (DHD2) may require that a water
well be constructed prior to the issuance of a construction permit for an on-site sewage disposal system in
cases where a deviation is proposed for construction of water wells regulated under Part 127 of Act 368,
PA 1978, as amended.
Purpose
The intent of this policy is to provide for the adequate review of sites within a geographic area likely to
incur significant quality or quantity problems, including well depth, and to require well construction prior
to on-site sewage system permit issuance to ensure that the site is adequate for residential construction
with on-site water supplies. Additionally this policy will:
1. allow uniform interpretation of applicable regulations
2. prevent construction that is inconsistent with the well construction code
3. inform the property owner that their water well is not in conformance with the Well
Construction Code, and that a deviation has been requested
4. protect the public health and natural environment of the community
5. identify geographical areas likely to have significant water quality or quantity problems
Document Review Background:
1. Well Construction Code, Rule 113
Rule 325.1613 (Rule 113) of Part 127 Act 368, PA 1978, as amended (Part 127) allows the health
officer of a local health department to issue a deviation from specific rules as provided for in Rule 113.
2. Environmental Health Regulations, Item 5.15, Item 3.20 D
Item 5.15 specifies that the health officer may impose conditions that he or she has proven necessary
to protect the public health or ground water quality. Item 3.20 states that the health officer may reject
a sewage disposal permit application where the property is too small for proper isolation from a water
well.
3. Notification Form
The Notification Form used by DHD2 for water wells includes an area for “Deviation Requested”.
This portion of the Notification must be completed noting the specific type of deviation requested.
4. Deviation Application Forms
DHD2 has a “Water Supply Deviation Application” form that needs to be completed by the applicant
and signed by the home owner for all deviations allowed under Rule 113.
Procedures
1. Contact with the health department is encouraged as early as possible once a water well is proposed
in an area know or suspected to have significant problems with quality or quantity, including well
depth.
2. Once the health department has identified the area of proposed well construction as being in a area of
“Well First” construction, a condition will be placed on the construction of the water well which
identifies the site with respect to:
a. Restricting the issuance of the on-site sewage disposal construction permit so as to provide for
an increase in horizontal isolation, as necessary;
b. Declaring the proposed water well a “test well” until approving the water well so as to be
suitable for the intended residential construction; and
c. Establishing any conditions for the construction of the test well
3. Once a test well is constructed on the site the well drilling firm shall notify the health department and
an on-site inspection of the water supply shall be completed to review the test well. The review shall
include:
a. a review of the water well record(s) and any plugging record
b. a review of required water sample results, which are the responsibility of the well owner
c. a review of the well construction including, well appurtenances, valves and controls, yield,
and isolation
d. determination of satisfactory completion of any deviation conditions
e. compliance with other provisions of the well construction code
f. upon completion of a review and determination that the water well is in compliance with
applicable standards the health officer may issue a permit for construction of an on-site
sewage disposal system,
4. Should the test well prove unsatisfactory for the intended use:
a. the test well must be plugged and the appropriate plugging record submitted,
b. additional test well(s) may be constructed
c. alternative water supplies may be proposed and reviewed under Rule 174 of the well
construction code
Well First areas may include areas of:
a. where well construction is proposed with less than 25 feet of casing
b. where contamination areas are likely to be encountered, including contaminants such as:
i. elevated nitrates and elevated arsenic
ii. sites listed on the Part 201 and 213 Listing of the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources and Environment
c. other contamination areas identified by DHD2 in its “Water Well Education Guide”
d. areas identified in the DHD2 memorandum “Areas of Concern”
e. areas where there is not an adequate aquifer with sufficient quantity of water for residential use
f. areas that produce water of objectionable quality and /or quality such that water treatment
devises of reasonable economic affordability are not available
DHD2 shall maintain a listing of “Well First” areas and provide such a listing to registered well drilling
contractors living with the jurisdiction of DHD2
DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT NO. 2
Environmental Health Division
Program:
Water Supply Program
Residential and Type III Public Water Supplies
Policy:
Well First Policy
Subject:
Wells First Area Locations
Date:
March 28, 2011
1. Location: Along the shoreline of Lake Huron from Greenbush to the Black River.
Problem: This is an area of shallow wells where water may only be obtained at less than 25 feet
due to lower aquifer(s) containing objectionable levels of chlorides.
2. Location: In the Airport Road area of southern West Branch Township and northern Horton
Township.
Problem: This is an area of shallow wells where water may only be obtained at less than 25 feet
due to lower aquifer(s) containing objectionable levels of chlorides.