Well and septic in Crawford County

Outside the city of Grayling, Crawford County is mostly forest and small communities. Nearly every home in the townships runs on a private well and a septic system. There’s no municipal water or sewer out in the country here. That’s normal for northern Michigan, but it’s worth understanding before you buy.

Michigan has no single statewide code for residential septic systems, so the rules are set locally. Crawford County is served by District Health Department No. 10. It has an office in Grayling and issues the permits for new and replacement septic systems and wells. Crawford does not require a point-of-sale septic inspection. Of the ten counties in this health district, only Kalkaska and Manistee require one. The health department offers a voluntary septic-and-well evaluation you can request at the time of sale. But in Crawford it’s optional, which leaves it up to you, the buyer. It’s smart to make any offer contingent on a septic inspection and a well water test, even when one isn’t required.

On a rural or wooded property, check a few things. Look at the age and type of the septic system, and where the drainfield sits. Check the well depth and water quality. See whether there’s room for a replacement drainfield. If you’re buying along the Au Sable or one of the lakes, an older waterfront septic system deserves an especially close look. A passing soil test (a “perc test”) is part of building on a vacant lot. (Heads up: a statewide septic-inspection bill has been floated in Lansing for years. If it passes, the rules here could change.)