Wells and septic in the townships

Out in the townships, almost every home runs on its own private well and septic system instead of city water and sewer. In Presque Isle County, both are handled by District Health Department No. 4 — the same health department that covers Alpena, Cheboygan, and Montmorency counties, with a local office right in Rogers City. Before you put in a new system or replace an old one, the health department checks the site with a soil test (a “perc” test) to be sure the ground drains well, then issues the permit for the septic system and the well.

Here’s something many buyers don’t realize: Michigan is the only state with no statewide septic code, so the rules are set locally. Some Michigan communities require a septic inspection every time a house is sold, but Presque Isle County is not one of them — here it’s buyer beware. So if you’re buying a place on a well and septic, it’s smart to pay for your own inspection of the tank, the drainfield, and the well before you close. A tired drainfield or an old, shallow well can be costly to replace, and you’ll want to know before the keys change hands. You can find permit forms and contact information at dhd4.org.