Onsite Sewage Disposal 

Onsite sewage disposal system is a broad term used to describe a system that treats biological or chemical effluent in the place where it originated.  In other words, it's your septic system, complete with a tank that sorts, stores and treats solids as well as a leach field that distributes the fluids over a sand and gravel bed.  Your septic system is a critical part of your home.  It should be treated with care to ensure its effectiveness in treating the effluent we produce in our homes.  Please consult a health department official for more information.  Also  A homeowner's Guide to Construction of a Sewage Disposal System  is available.

Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems have been a subject of controversy that surrounds watershed pollution.  The discussion stems from the belief that many older or improperly constructed systems have contributed to the heightened bacterial levels found in flowing bodies of water, bathing beaches, and  a neighbor's backyard.  The Monroe County Environmental Heath Division has the responsibility of enforcing state and local ordinances regarding onsite sewage treatment systems (OSTS) as defined by the Michigan Public Health Code P.A. 128, 1976 and the Monroe County Sanitary Code (pdf).

If you plan to renovate your home, add a pool or outbuilding and you are on an onsite sewage disposal system, make sure to check with your local municipality early in the process.  In many instances, a construction addition to your home needs approval from the Environment Health Division (EHD)  in regard to the distance of the septic system and well in relation to the addition prior to building permits being issued. You can print a copy of the Application to Construct An Addition, fill it out and return it to the Environmental Health Division.  Based upon how thorough the records are for your property, if they exist, will determine whether a site visit will be necessary prior to approval of the addition permit.  For fees, please contact the Environmental Health Division at 734-240-7900.

Click on the links below for more information:

Septic System

Septage Haulers

Soil

For a list of licensed contractors, please visit the forms. documents and fees page.