State Laws on Groundwater Protection

The Michigan law that is equivalent to the SDWA and gives the State primacy over the EPA is the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Act 399 of 1976).

michigan

Another law that provides a broad and extensive legal authority for groundwater protection is the Michigan Water Resources Commission Act (WRCA) Act 245.

Michigan's goal for groundwater protection is set forth in Section 6(a) of WRCA:

"It shall be unlawful for any persons directly or indirectly to discharge into the waters of the state any substance which is or may become injurious to the public health, safety or welfare; or which is or may become injurious to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other uses which are being or may be made of such waters."

Many other laws are responsible for helping to protect groundwater. Examples include:

  • Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (multiple sections)
  • Michigan Criteria for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Federal Underground Injection Well Control Program
  • Michigan Supervisor of Wells Act
  • Pesticide Control Act
  • Subdivision Control Act of 1967
  • Michigan's Planning and Zoning Enabling Acts

Wellhead Protection Plan