Water Well Program

The purpose of the Water Well Program is to protect the public from water-borne diseases and water quality that can adversely affect health. The Dickinson-Iron Health Department Environmental Health Division achieves this goal by issuing well permits for individual residences and small public water supplies to ensure new wells are constructed properly and isolated from potential sources of contamination.

The State of Michigan does not require that all newly constructed wells be inspected; however, the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department conducts final inspections on all newly constructed wells. During the final inspection, the department will collect the State’s required bacteria water sample at no additional charge.

For more information on Private well construction click here.

For more information on Public well construction click here.

When do I need a permit?

New private well: a permit is required for the construction of a new private residential well.

Replacement well: a permit is required for the construction of a replacement well.

Type II and Type III wells: a permit is required for the construction of a non-community or public water supply well.

Geothermal well: a permit is required for the construction of a well which uses geothermal exchange for heating or cooling a building space.

Hydraulic Fracturing: a permit is required to open existing bedrock fractures or part of the bedrock matrix to increase well production.

How do I get a permit?

When do I need a permit?

Please return a completed construction application to the department. Please provide all the information requested, as this will minimize the amount of time required to process your application.

Once the application is processed, a representative from this department will contact you.

Well Sampling & Water Quality

The Environmental Health Division has water sampling bottles available for bacteriological, partial chemical, and other water quality tests analyzed by White Water Associates.

We recommend annual testing of water wells for bacteria and periodic sampling for nitrate and nitrite. For more information about other common contaminants click here.

Water sampling bottles can be picked up at our locations in Kingsford and Crystal Falls.