Michigan Well Driller Compliance Reference

📄 Forms & Resources

📋 Registration Requirements

Michigan requires state registration of all commercial well drillers and pump installers per Part 127 (MCL 333.12701–.12715).

Experience & Education

• Drilling contractor: 2 years supervised experience + 20 completed wells
• Pump installer: 2 years supervised experience + 20 pump installs
• Minimum age: 18 years old
• High school education or equivalent work experience
• Good moral character required

Examination

New applicants must pass the state\'s well construction exam (written/practical/oral). Exams are offered twice per year in Lansing. Failed candidates may re-test after completing a department-approved training class (re-exam fee: $25).

Registration Fees

Continuing Education

Michigan law does not mandate CE hours for driller registration. However, voluntary training is available through:

• Michigan Ground Water Association (MGWA) - Fundamentals Course
• Michigan Environmental Health Association (MEHA) - Annual conference
• National Ground Water Association (NGWA) - Professional courses

📝 Reporting & Documentation

Well Log Requirements

The well construction log must include:

• Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
• Water-bearing zones encountered
• Casing sizes, materials, and depths
• Grouting/sealing information (neat cement or bentonite)
• Pump test data (if conducted)
• Disinfection details

📖 Construction Standards (Part 127)

Casing Materials

• Steel: ASTM A-53 pipe, new, heavy/standard-weight grade (min Schedule 40 up to 10" ID)
• PVC: ASTM D-1785 fiber PVC or ASTM F-480 thermoplastic, NSF/ANSI-certified
• Joints: Threaded or welded (steel); must be watertight
• All casing: Must be new, durable material per ASTM specs

Casing Depth & Height

• Permanent casing must penetrate at least 25 ft below ground
• Casing must extend ≥12 inches above ground
• Deeper casing may be required by geology; deviations require health officer approval

Grouting/Sealing

• Annulus must be completely sealed with neat cement or bentonite grout
• Grout pumped from bottom up to ground surface in one continuous operation
• Any space between temporary and permanent casing must be filled with grout or bentonite
• Bentonite chips/pellets may be used to fill annular space during temporary casing removal

Setback Requirements (Rule 122)

Deviations from these distances need approval by the local health officer. All setbacks are minimums per Michigan Administrative Code Rule 122.

Disinfection (Rule 161)

New wells and pump installations must be disinfected (chlorinated). After development/draining, chlorinate to meet concentrations and contact times in Rule 161 Table 5. Flush until free of chlorine taste/odor. Driller/installer is responsible for disinfection.

🏛️ Permits

Local Health Department Permits

Michigan does not require a state drilling permit, but most counties do. Local health departments issue well permits and conduct inspections under Part 127. Check with the county health department before starting work.

High-Capacity Withdrawal Registration

• ≥100,000 gal/day (70 gpm): Requires state registration
• 70–1,388 gpm: Use EGLE's Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool (WWAT) for screening
• >2,000,000 gal/day: Must apply for EGLE water withdrawal permit via MiEnviro

Special Cases

• Geothermal (open-loop): Requires well permit from local health dept (uses actual groundwater)
• Geothermal (closed-loop): Not regulated by state well code (check local requirements)
• Monitoring wells: Generally outside Part 127 (not for consumption; check local oversight)
• Public supply wells: Separate permitting under Part 13 (Act 399) + wellhead protection

🗺️ Drilling Conditions by Region

Seasonal Considerations

• Frost depth: 2–3 ft typical; spring/summer drilling preferred
• Spring melt: Can flood drill sites; ensure dewatering
• High summer water tables: After heavy rains, drilling fluid management harder
• Yields: Can vary seasonally with aquifer recharge

⚠️ Special Contamination Areas

Arsenic Zones

Many Michigan counties have elevated natural arsenic in groundwater. EGLE's maps show where private wells often exceed 10 ppb (EPA limit).

• Hotspots: Thumb region (Huron/Tuscola), southeast Lower Peninsula (Oakland, Washtenaw, Ingham)
• Driller responsibility: Warn owners that water testing is required
• Treatment: Recommend filtration (reverse osmosis, iron-based media) if arsenic >10 μg/L

Nitrates & VOCs

Similar advisories exist for nitrates (agricultural areas) and volatile organic compounds (near contamination sites). In known contamination areas, wells must be sited/upgraded with extra protective measures (deeper casing, grouting beyond contamination layer).

Wellhead Protection Areas

Public-supply wellhead protection areas (mapped by EGLE) delineate zones that feed community wells. Land use in these zones is managed to prevent contamination. New private or farm wells drilled near a public well should follow stringent siting and sealing guidelines to avoid impacting public water sources.

📞 Resources & Contacts

Professional Associations

• Michigan Ground Water Association (MGWA): michigangroundwater.com
• Michigan Environmental Health Association (MEHA): meha.net
• National Ground Water Association (NGWA): ngwa.org

Regulatory References

• Part 127, Public Health Code (Act 368, 1978) – Water Well Construction & Pump Installation Code
• MCL 333.12704–05 – Registration and fees statutes
• Michigan Administrative Code R 325.1601–1781 – Detailed construction rules

❓ Frequently Asked Questions