Sewage Disposal Program

Public and Private On-Site Sewage Disposal Program

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy (EGLE) regulates large municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems such as the one serving the City of Adrian. The Lenawee County Health Department (LCHD) has jurisdiction for public and private on-site sewage disposal systems in Lenawee County that handle up to 10,000 gallons of wastewater per day. These types of systems include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Businesses
• Campgrounds
• Homes
• Restaurants
• Schools

Prior to installing a sewage disposal system, a construction permit must be obtained from either EGLE or the LCHD, depending on the type and amount of wastewater generated. 

Site Evaluations

In order to receive a construction permit from our department, an application must be submitted. An evaluation of each site will be conducted after an application for a construction permit has been received. Soil permeability, seasonal high water table elevation, available land area, and isolation from adjacent water supplies are determined during each site evaluation. The size of an on-site sewage disposal system is based on the amount of wastewater generated by a facility per day and the rate that the soil will accept liquid effluent for disposal.

Properties that meet the criteria established for approval are eligible for construction permits with payment of permit fees. Each system is inspected and requires approval from the department before being placed into service. There are more than 1.2 million on-site wastewater systems in Michigan that generate about 264 million gallons of sewage a day. More than 30,000 commercial and community systems have flows approaching 10,000 gallons a day. More than 50% of new single-family homes utilize on-site sewage disposal.