Out in the township, you're on a well and septic in Lapeer County

Most of Lapeer County outside the cities and villages is rural township land. Out there you’re typically not on municipal water and sewer. Instead a home has its own well for drinking water. Waste goes to a septic system in the yard. That’s completely normal here and works well. But it makes you your own little water utility. A septic system needs pumping every few years. A well needs occasional testing and the odd repair.

In the townships, wells and septic systems are permitted and inspected by the Lapeer County Health Department. That’s the local agency for all of this. Michigan has no single statewide code for residential septic systems. So the county health department’s rules are what govern. Before you buy a place on a well and septic, it’s smart to have both inspected. Ask the seller for the well and septic records, too. Replacing a failed drain field can run well into five figures.

You can reach the Lapeer County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 1800 Imlay City Road in Lapeer. The phone number is (810) 245-5711.