Michigan is last state without a septic system code. Will that change?

By Justin Fox Clausen, Capital News Service

LANSING—A new Senate bill would address the regulation, inspection and re-evaluation of septic systems.

If passed, Michigan would become the last state with a comprehensive septic code intended to prevent contamination of drinking water.

Megan Tinsley, the water policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council, said that past efforts to adopt a statewide code have failed.

Tinsley said a higher percentage of Michigan households rely on septic systems than the national average.

According to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), more than 1.3 million septic systems are used across the state to treat wastewater before returning it to the environment.

EGLE also estimates that at least 20% of those systems are failing.

Tinsley said that failing systems release up to 31 million gallons of wastewater per day into state waters, posing a threat to both humans and the environment.

Joan Rose, a microbiologist at Michigan State University who specializes in water microbiology, studies the impact of septic systems on diseases in the environment.

She said the waterborne pathogens introduced by septic tanks include E. coli, salmonella and hepatitis A.

Rural communities across the state are at the highest risk, with many relying on groundwater and wells. A lack of regular inspections, especially at older homes, increases this risk.

The new legislation is sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, and cosponsored by Sens. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia and Sue Shink, D-Northfield Township.

The bill includes specifications for minimum distances between drinking water sources and septic tanks, along with mandatory inspections every 10 years on systems 30 years or older. It would put the responsibility to regulate and inspect septic systems on local public health departments.

Those potential new responsibilities raise concerns about the strain on staff and budgets for local health departments across the state.

Norm Hess, the executive director of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, said that despite the concerns, the state would benefit from having a statewide code.

“The Legislature is going to have to come up with the additional funding,” he said.

“I don’t want people to have the understanding that there is no one out there regulating septic systems,” Hess said, adding that there are still local codes to follow.

Hess added that a statewide code would also help those who own multiple homes, as they wouldn’t have to keep track of multiple septic regulation guidelines.

Currently, 11 of Michigan’s 83 counties have septic codes. They include Oakland, Washtenaw, Kent, Livingston, Mackinac, Grand Traverse and Ingham counties.