Onsite Wastewater Management Program

Many parcels of land available for residential homes are not served by a public sewer system. Homes in these areas must utilize an onsite sewage system, or septic system. Th purpose of the Onsite Wastewater Management Program is to protect the public from exposure to diseases and to protect groundwater and surface water from becoming polluted with sewage. 

The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department Environmental Health staff carefully evaluates sites to determine if the soil can treat the anticipated flow of sewage before it enters the water table. Seasonal high ground water may interfere with the operation of a sewage disposal system or cause premature failure of the system. Furthermore, water table and bedrock located near the ground surface, or excessively permeable soils, may allow disease causing bacteria and viruses to contaminate the groundwater. The Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code regulates the installation of sewage systems and provides the minimum site standards.