The Health Department of Northwest Michigan office in Bellaire. (Photo: Jan-Michael Stump/Record-Eagle) More than 1.3 million homes and businesses in Michigan use septic systems to treat household sewage and wastewater. If not maintained, failing septic systems can contaminate drinking and ground water, and release bacteria, viruses, and household chemicals into lakes and rivers. Proper septic system maintenance… septic-code/" title="ReadTell your health department and county commissioners that you SUPPORT a statewide septic code for Michigan!”>Read more »
It’s hard to believe, but Michigan — the state at the heart of the Great Lakes and home to 20% of the world’s fresh surface water — is the only state in the nation without a statewide septic code. That means that Michigan has no minimum standards for the construction, inspection, repair, or even pumping of septic systems. Michigan has 1.3… septic code legislation: Send a Letter to the Editor”>Read more »
Tell your representatives in Lansing that it’s time to act! EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE What is a septic system? A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment system for homes that are not connected to a city sewer system. When regularly pumped and maintained, a septic system efficiently manages the wastewater produced in a house. When… septic/" title="ReadFailing septic systems are polluting our waters: Let’s clean it up!”>Read more »
Image courtesy of Leelanau.gov. Editor’s note: This opinion article by FLOW Legal Advisor Skip Pruss was originally published in the Traverse City Record-Eagle on Sept. 4, 2022. During SepticSmart Week, which runs through Friday, FLOW is sharing updates on efforts to protect fresh water and public health from uncontrolled septic system waste, as part of an… septic-pollution/" title="ReadSepticSmart: Leelanau County Board Wisely Votes to Protect Fresh Water and Public Health from Septic Pollution”>Read more »
Graphic courtesy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Editor’s note: During SepticSmart Week, which runs through Friday, FLOW is sharing updates on efforts to protect fresh water and public health from uncontrolled septic system waste, as part of an annual educational campaign that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched a decade ago, with the State of Michigan, other… septicsmart-week-progress-on-protecting-public-health-and-fresh-water/" title="ReadSepticSmart Week: Progress on Protecting Public Health and Fresh Water”>Read more »
Policy Brief: The Case for a Statewide Septic Code in Michigan (Download PDF) Michigan is located at the heart of the most extensive fresh surface water system in North America, which comprises about 90% of all fresh surface water in the region. However, it is the only state in the US that does not have… septic-code-policy-brief/" title="ReadPolicy Brief: The Case for a Statewide Septic Code in Michigan”>Read more »
There’s a loose patchwork of septic standards in Michigan Because of the lack of state standards to assure replacement of failing septic systems, some counties, townships, cities, and villages are enacting local ordinances in place of statewide requirements, but they are relatively few out of Michigan’s approximately 2,000 local units of government. Only 11 of… septic-code/" title="ReadWhy does Michigan need a statewide code for septic systems?”>Read more »
This fall, the Michigan legislature will have an opportunity to correct a grievous and egregious deficiency in Michigan’s water policy. How is it that in the third decade of the 21st Century, Michigan, the Great Lakes State, is the only state of 50 without a statewide code setting minimum standards for the design, construction, and… septic-code-reform/" title="ReadMichigan: First in Fresh Water, Last in Septic Regulation”>Read more »
Editor’s note: Members of the media are encouraged to register for the webinar. For more information, contact FLOW Executive Director Liz Kirkwood at Liz@FLOWforWater.org or (231) 944-1568. Register today! FLOW (For Love of Water) will host a webinar—The Case for a Statewide Septic Code: Michigan Must Inspect Septic Systems to Protect Fresh Water—on Tuesday, March… septic-code-in-michigan/" title="ReadRegister Today for March 21 Webinar: The Case for a Statewide Septic Code in Michigan”>Read more »
Editor’s note: FLOW supports the consideration of newly introduced legislation to control septic system sewage and looks forward to helping strengthen the bill’s provisions to ensure the strongest possible protections for public health and public waters. Please read the article, and use the links to contact the bill’s co-sponsors using the information below to express… septic-systems/" title="ReadMichigan Legislature on Wednesday Will Consider Bill to Control Waste from Septic Systems”>Read more »
