In Honor of Earth Day, Legislators to Introduce Bills to Establish Statewide Septic Code, Help Protect Michigan Water
Michigan lawmakers are pushing legislation to create the state’s first-ever statewide septic code to help protect water quality, regularize inspections, and safeguard public health in a state where aging, failing systems currently threaten rivers, lakes, and drinking water.
Background: Michigan is the only state in the nation without uniform standards governing how onsite sewage treatment systems are designed, built, installed and maintained. Additionally, according to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan has between 1.3 and 1.4 million onsite septic systems, and 35% of its residents rely on them; however, many of these systems are failing or inadequate due to the lack of a uniform statewide code. With no statutory way to define and alleviate failing septic systems in much of the state, these systems can lead to contaminated water seeping into nearby bodies of water, leading to increased levels of E. coli, other bacteria and algae blooms. This can cause illness if consumed or contacted, which can result in closures of lakes and beaches. The bills will establish state standards for septic systems, also known as “onsite wastewater treatment systems” and require regular inspections of those systems (with the inspection results maintained by EGLE) and establish a technical advisory commission within EGLE to advise the department, Legislature and local health departments on the most current scientific standards for septic tanks.