Drinking Water Wells
A large amount of St. Clair County's residences and businesses rely on
groundwater for drinking. As an individual property owner, you are responsible
for sampling the water from your private well.
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. Water
well and pump records are available for review at the Health Department. If you
have questions regarding your existing or proposed well, contact Environmental
Health at (810) 987-5306 and the Sanitarian assigned to your area will be able
to assist you.
Permit Instructions
Any property owner intending to construct, develop, or install a private water
system must submit an Application and Permit to Install Water Supply Facilities
to the St. Clair County Health Department prior to the start of work.
Applications must be accompanied by a site plan and fee. The residential, or
Type III, public water supply fee is $175.00 and the Type II public water supply
fee is $300.00.
Well Disinfection Procedures
If you do rely on a private water well for your drinking water, we recommended
that it be tested regularly for Coliform bacteria and nitrates. The cost of the
Coliform bacteria analysis is $20.00 per sample. The cost of the Partial
Chemistry analysis, which includes nitrates, is $34.00. Should your bacteria or
nitrate sample come back unsafe you will be contacted by our Division advising
you of corrective measures on how to Disinfect Your Water Well
or upgrade your well to assure a safe source of drinking water.
If you no longer use your well, please contact the St. Clair County Health
Department for proper well abandonment procedures. All obstructions in the well
must be removed (ex. pump, wiring, etc). The well is then filled entirely with
an approved grouting material. Proper abandonment of water wells help insure
that our groundwater is maintained for the present and future generations.
Simple steps to safe guard your well:
(1) Maintain your Septic System
(2) Recycle your hazardous household wastes for free at the
St. Clair County Landfill
(3) Sparingly apply fertilizers and pesticides
(4) Keep vehicles, landscaping, rocks, etc away from the well head to prevent
damage
Resources:
Water Well Information
|