Wells, septic, and the rules out here

Most homes out in Oceana County’s townships aren’t on city water and sewer. They run on a private well for drinking water and a septic system for waste, and that’s a normal, manageable part of country living, but it does change what you check before you buy.

Here’s the Michigan quirk: Michigan is the only state in the country with no statewide septic code. Instead, the rules are set county by county, and out here they’re handled by District Health Department No. 10, which covers Oceana and nine other counties in this part of the state. The health department issues the permits for new and replacement septic systems and well installations.

What catches some buyers off guard is that, in most of these counties, there’s no automatic septic inspection when a house changes hands. Of the ten counties District No. 10 covers, only two require a point-of-sale inspection, and Oceana isn’t one of them. That makes it buyer beware: before you sign, it’s smart to hire someone to find and inspect the septic tank and drainfield, test the well water, and confirm the system is sized for the house. A little money up front here can save you a very expensive surprise later. The health department, at dhd10.org, can tell you what’s on file for a given property.