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Water supply seasonal start-up

Water supply seasonal start-up

In Michigan, water supplied at a campground can be from a Type I, community water supply; Type II, noncommunity public water supply; or Type III, public water supply. Additionally, campgrounds are often seasonal and not operated on a year-round basis. As a result, campgrounds commonly have a seasonal water supply and drain or depressurize their water supply in the off season. The risk of introducing contaminants into the water supply increases as result of either draining or depressurizing the water supply system.

According to Part 125 of Public Health Code, Act 386 of 1978 and the administrative rules, specifically Rule 9(5), a campground owner shall ensure that a potable water supply system is designed, installed, and maintained to prevent contamination from nonpotable water sources and other nonpotable liquids. Therefore, campgrounds need to take steps at the beginning and end of each operating season to ensure that the water provided at the campground is safe to drink each year.

Failure to conduct start-up procedures could result in customers consuming and using contaminated water that could lead to illness, hospitalizations, and in severe cases, death. Noncompliance could also result in delayed campground opening, enforcement actions, and fines. 

  • A green and white water tower with "EL" for East Lansing on it, standing tall against a bright blue sky

    Campgrounds using Type I community water supply

    The campground is a customer of the community water supply (often municipal water) and should follow all of their cross-connection control program or other requirements. Campground distribution systems are typically privately-owned customer site piping and are not a part of the water supplier’s regulated distribution system. It is the campground owner’s responsibility to provide water that is free of bacteria and safe to drink. EGLE strongly recommends modified seasonal start-up activities in-line with the Type II noncommunity water supply requirements, due to the seasonal use and similarities. The campground supplies water to the public through a distribution system so they should complete steps 6-8 in the Type II pre-opening tasks section.

  • Campgrounds using Type II noncommunity public water supply

    Start-up certification

    Under Act 399, certification is required each year upon completion of the start-up procedures. Certification is to be submitted promptly to your local health department (LHD) representative before opening. The Start-Up Certification for Seasonal Noncommunity Public Water Supply form can also be obtained from your LHD representative.

    Timing of start-up procedures

    The start-up of the water supply system should begin prior to the anticipated first day of public use. The start-up procedures may need to be performed more than once if coliform bacteria are found to be present in any of the pre-opening samples. Pre-opening samples should be collected within 30 days of campground opening day.

    Pre-opening tasks

    There are nine start-up tasks required for all seasonal Type II noncommunity water supplies to be completed prior to opening to the public. More detailed instructions can be found on pages 3-7 of the Seasonal Public Ground Water Supply Handbook.

    1. Evaluate the wellhead and surroundings.
    2. Evaluate the water system.
    3. Evaluate for cross connections between the water system and sources of contamination.
    4. Inspect air gaps and backflow preventers.
    5. Test backflow assemblies.
    6. Flush the supply.
    7. Disinfect any depressurized portions of the supply.
    8. Obtain at least two pre-opening non-detect bacteriological samples, collected a minimum of 24 hours apart, according to the sample siting plan.
    9. Certify and submit the completed start-up certification form and water sample test results to the LHD prior to opening to the public. Any deficiencies observed should be corrected and details of the work performed should be provided to the LHD with the certification.

  • Campgrounds using Type III public water supply

    Campgrounds with Type III public water supply are often seasonal and drain or depressurize the water supply during the off season. Therefore, it is highly recommended that steps 1-8 of the Type II pre-opening tasks section be taken to ensure the water is safe. Some counties have local regulations for Type III public water supplies, check with your local health department for specific procedures for your county.

  • Temporary campground water supply

    According to Part 125 of Public Health Code, Act 386 of 1978 Rule 9 (1) A campground owner shall provide a potable water supply in accordance with Act No. 399 of the Public Acts of 1976. One water outlet should be provided for every 50 sites or fraction thereof. Temporary campgrounds should follow start-up procedures that correspond to the type of water supply provided at the temporary campground venue. Details for those start-up procedures are provided in the sections above. It is recommended that bacteriologic samples for temporary campground water supplies be collected 30 days or less from the temporary campground opening day. Temporary campgrounds using a hauled potable water service should provide signed contracts with the temporary campground application. 

Additional considerations

  • Hand pump wells

    Hand pumps are not pressurized and are typically available for use year-round. If the hand pump is used seasonally, complete the start-up procedures.  If the hand pump is a Type II noncommunity water supply, submit the start-up certification form to the LHD. Disinfection is not required as part of a start-up procedure of seasonal hand pump wells unless work was performed on the well.

  • Well disinfection

    Only a Michigan registered well drilling contractor can disinfect a public water supply well. Disinfection of the water well (including hand pumps) is not a typical seasonal start-up procedure unless work was performed on the well. If well disinfection is needed, disinfection of the distribution system should be performed at the same time. Your water well contractor should provide details of the process that they will be using.

  • Partial depressurizations

    Year-round campgrounds with their own Type II noncommunity well must take steps 6-8 of the Type II pre-opening tasks section if a portion of their distribution system is depressurized for the winter. Similarly, some campgrounds in the state have the same ownership as the water provider (for example, a mobile home community that also contains campsites). In any case where depressurized water lines are owned by a Type I or Type II water provider, steps 6-8 would also be required. These steps are recommended for campgrounds served by a Type III water source.   

  • Alterations

    A campground owner shall not make or allow an alteration to a campground water system without prior written approval from the local health department and the EGLE Campground Program. "An alteration to a water system" means the modification of, or addition to, an existing waterworks system or portion of the system that affects the flow, capacity, system service area, source, treatment, or reliability of the system. Disinfection and bacteriological sampling are required after installation or alteration and prior to placing the component into service.

    Apply for alteration

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