Sewage Treatment

The Environmental Health Unit reviews properties for the purpose of approving the site for land divisions when onsite water supplies and/or onsite sewage treatment systems will be used. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality promulgates administrative rules (pdf) regarding onsite water supply and onsite sewage treatment for a land division and subdivisions (R560.401 to R560.428).
There are three different types of evaluations available at this office.

Subdivision or site condominium developments that are submitted by a licensed engineer or surveyor: A Subdivision Site Report form and all pertinent data are submitted to our office (in triplicate) with the appropriate fee in accordance with state law. Any restrictions put on the onsite water supplies and/or onsite sewage treatment systems must be made part of the deed restrictions in the final plat recording. For detailed information on how to submit an application for a subdivision or site condominium, see the Kalamazoo County Consultant’s Checklist for Preliminary and Site Condominium Submittal.

Land divisions less than one acre in size: A Land Division Application and all pertinent data are submitted to our office with the appropriate fee in accordance with state law. The Environmental Health Unit visits the property to confirm data submitted by the consultant. Any restrictions put on the onsite water supplies and/or onsite sewage treatment systems must be made part of the deed restrictions in the final land division recording.

Pre-Preliminary Evaluation: This evaluation is not required by state law or county regulation but is offered as a service to persons interested in developing a property. A developer or landowner often uses this service before purchasing a large parcel of land with intention to divide. An application form and all pertinent data that are identified on the application form must be submitted to our office with the appropriate fee. Environmental Health will review all data submitted and information in our records, conduct onsite inspections, and issue a written report. The report will contain a summary of the suitability of the property for onsite sewage treatment systems and/or onsite water supply systems.

Helpful Links:

Water Quality Data
Wellogic for scanned and digitally entered well logs
Subdivision Rules
MEGLE (formerly MDEQ) website
Suggested Test Well Instructions