Related Links

Visit the websites below to find out more about wastewater treatment systems, Michigan wastewater policies and resources, and related online resources.

Michigan Clean Water loan programs

• Clean Water Revolving Funds, including the State Revolving Fund and the Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund
  
  
• Clean Water Revolving Funds (SRF & SWQIF) Project Plan Preparation Guidance
  

Onsite wastewater Internet resources

• National Small Flows Clearinghouse
  The NSFC helps America's small communities and individuals solve their wastewater problems to protect public health and the environment. Community leaders as well as individual homeowners can benefit from their publications and databases.
  
  
• U.S. EPA Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems
  The Environmental Protection Agency's website includes links to two very thorough publications: their Voluntary National Guidelines and draft Management Handbook.
  
  
• Iowa Onsite Wastewater Loan Program
  Iowa's onsite wastewater assistance program offers low-interest loans to homeowners who need to upgrade or replace outdated or failing septic systems. Private lenders conduct loan pre-approvals, management, and collections, with loan collateral provided by the Onsite Wastewater Assistance Fund. This fund is similar to Michigan's Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund.
  
  
• National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project
  The National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project is a cooperative effort funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that supports research and development to improve our understanding and strengthen the foundations of training and practice in the field of onsite/decentralized wastewater treatment.
  

Water quality resources

• "Developing a watershed management plan for water quality: An introductory guide." Michigan State University Institute of Water Research, MSU Extension, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Nonpoint Source Program. February 2000.
  
  
• "How To Keep Your Water 'Well'. Pipeline; Summer 2002
  (Volume 13, Number 3). National Small Flows Clearinghouse.
  
  
• "Consider the source: A pocket guide to protecting your drinking water." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  
  
• "Testing The Waters: A Guide To Water Quality At Vacation Beaches." Natural Resources Defense Council.
  
  
• Michigan's Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
  The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in partnership with the Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Inc. (ML&SA), developed the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) as a cost-effective method for citizens to monitor water quality and to document changes in lake quality over time.

Successful County Models

Looking for inspiration? Lacking the mandate of a statewide septic code, a handful of counties have introduced innovative procedures for uncovering and addressing problem onsite systems.

• Washtenaw County, Onsite Water Supply and Sewage Disposal Systems
  
  
• Wayne County, Wells and Private Sewage Disposal Systems [Septic] Ordinance
  
  
• Ottawa County, Environmental Health Regulations - Article XIII: Real Estate Evaluations (page 17)
  
  
• "Michigan counties adopt onsite system inspections to protect Great Lakes," Cathleen Falvey, Small Flows Quarterly, Summer 2002, Volume 3, Number 3.