On-Site Water Wells

Any property owner intending to construct, develop, or install a private water system or have such operations performed by another person, must make application to the St. Clair County Health Department prior to the start of work.  Applications must be accompanied by a site plan and the residential fee of $125.00 or the commercial fee of $300.00.  You can arrange to have your well tested by calling (810) 987-5306.  Cost is $20.00 for the first sample and $20.00 for each additional sample.

Safe drinking water is a basic human need.  Individual property owners are responsible for sampling the water from their private wells.  An initial sample to detect coliform bacteria must be collected before a new or repaired well is placed into service. 

If you do rely on a private water well for your drinking water, it is recommended that it be tested regularly for coliform bacteria and nitrates.  The nature of aquifers makes wells particularly vulnerable to contamination form a variety of land uses, including industry, manufacturing and agriculture. While you may practice some basic practices to prevent contamination, such as (1) maintaining your septic system, (2) properly disposing of hazardous wastes, (3) sparingly applying fertilizers and pesticides, (4) recycling household hazardous wastes, there is no guarantee that your neighbor or anyone else who can contaminate the same aquifer is doing likewise.

Should your initial sample come back “unsafe”, you will be directed to disinfect your water well.  Our staff will provide specific guidelines pertinent to the circumstances.

A well abandonment form must be obtained from the St. Clair County Health Department.  All obstructions in the well must be removed (ex. Pump, wiring, etc).  This well is then filled entirely with an approved grouting material.  Proper abandonment of water wells help insure that our ground water is maintained for the present and future generations.

Groundwater Protection 
A large amount of St. Clair County's residences and businesses rely on groundwater for drinking and other uses. Proper design, installation, maintenance and monitoring of water well supplies is critical to the prevention of waterborne disease.  The St. Clair County Health Department evaluates proposed well drilling sites, issues water system installation permits, inspects systems during and after installation and conducts bacteriological and partial chemical sampling for households and businesses. We also monitor the plugging of abandoned wells to assure aquifer protection. Water well and pump records are available for review at the Health Department.