Michigan Surface Water Overview
| The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is committed to protecting and preserving Michigan's water resources. There are several programs in place which support this goal.
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Reporting requirements for every person doing business within this state who discharges wastewater to the waters of the state or to a sewer system.
The Water Enforcement Unit is responsible for conducting escalated enforcement actions taken by the Water Resources Division. These actions are conducted in response to violations of state water pollution control statutes and rules, violations of surface water discharge permits, and any violations of administrative or judicial orders.
Michigan's NonPoint Source (NPS) Program assists numerous non-profit entities and other local, state, and federal partners to reduce nonpoint source pollution statewide. The basis for our program is watershed management; most of the projects we fund are to develop watershed management plans or to implement nonpoint source activities in these plans. We look forward to working with you to protect and improve Michigan's water resources.
DEQ's Water Resources Division has responsibility for processing NPDES permits under the authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 Pa 451, as amended. The purpose of this permit is to control the discharge of pollutants into surface waters of the State to protect the environment.
The licensing and handling of domestic Septage is regulated under Part 117, Septage Waste Servicers, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. The DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance administers the Septage program with the assistance of participating county health departments.
Combined sewer and sanitary sewer overflows are described as discharges from a sewer system which contains untreated or partially-treated sewage. Learn more about CSO and SSO discharges and what can make them occur here.
The goal of Michigan's Storm Water Program is to protect and preserve Michigan's water resources. We strive to accomplish this goal through a two step process. First of all, we have been delegated the regulatory authority to implement a storm water discharge permit program for the state of Michigan. Secondly, we have developed and implemented an educational component of our permitting process.
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