Drinking Water & Wells

The Grand Traverse County Health Department's (GTCHD) Environmental Health Division is responsible for evaluating proposed locations for wells and issuing well construction permits for private homes and small businesses. Properly locating, constructing, maintaining, and monitoring wells is important to help ensure protection from contamination and waterborne illnesses. 

Permitting:

To obtain a permit for the construction of a new well, applications may be submitted through our online permitting system, EPIC GT. After obtaining a permit, the applicant supplies the permit to a registered well driller of their choosing to install the well. Registered well drillers must adhere to the regulatory codes of the State of Michigan and Grand Traverse County when constructing wells. 

Well Review: 

Many local permitting agencies require a well and septic status form to be completed as part of their application process. This would include, but is not limited to, remodels to an existing dwelling, construction of garages, and/or outbuildings if those buildings include plumbing. Using the Status Review Form, GTCHD will determine if an existing well is sufficient to allow the proposed change of use, provided well and septic records exist. In instances where no records exist, a third-party inspection may be required. A report documenting the results of the review will be supplied to the applicant. 

Forms: 

Additional Information:

If you have any questions, please contact us at 231-995-6051 or eh@gtcountymi.gov. 

Resources: 

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals that include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). PFAS have been used globally in manufacturing, firefighting, and thousands of common household and other consumer products over the past century. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and the human body, meaning they don't break down and can accumulate over time. In recent years, experts have become increasingly concerned about the potential effects of high concentrations of PFAS on human health. GTCHD works collaboratively with multiple agencies such as the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and local counties and townships to ensure that residents have safe drinking water when contaminants are found.