Skip to main content
Well house requirements

Well house requirements

The Michigan Public Health Code (MPHC) requires that a campground owner provide a water supply in accordance to the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, Act 399. The Michigan Public Health Code addresses the requirements for a campground well house. Specifically, Rule 325.1559 requires the campground owner to provide:

  • A potable water supply
  • An above grade room that houses pumping equipment
  • Equipment for the disinfection of the entire water system
  • Raw water sample taps
  • Pump-to-waste facilities for all wells

Well house requirements

The pump-to-waste piping should be the same size or larger than the size of the service line between the well and pressure tank. The pump-to-waste piping shall be located upstream of the pressure tanks. For systems utilizing multiple wells, the pump–to-waste piping will allow for one well to be serviced while the other remains in operation.

The diagram shows disinfection equipment which includes an electrical outlet that is energized only when the water well pump is operating. It also shows a chemical injection tap which is needed to inject chlorine into the campground’s water system.

Disinfection is required after the campground’s water distribution system has been depressurized (drained) and before serving water to the campers after being depressurized or may be required when positive bacteriological water sample results are obtained. Campground water distribution systems are typically depressurized for winter or this may occur during a power outage of more than a few minutes. The injection taps are located upstream of the pressure tanks. This location provides a constant concentration of chlorine throughout the water distribution system and avoids a large slug of chlorine being injected into a part of the distribution system while water from the well is recharging the pressure tanks.

Disinfection directly into or through the well may only be performed by a Michigan registered water well drilling contractor.

Campground well house schematic Campground well house schematic

Water meters are not required for campgrounds unless there is chemical feed (treatment) or when flow monitoring is required under a discharge permit authorization for the campground’s wastewater system. If a meter is installed, the meter must be located upstream of the pressure tanks to accurately reflect the amount of water being used.

The schematic shows sample taps located where water from each well enters the well house. The sample taps are required at this location. The detail also shows a sample tap located just before the water leaves the well house and enters the distribution system. A sample tap at this location is required only when water treatment is provided but is suggested for all well houses.

Pressure tanks need to be sized to provide two (2) minutes of pump run time and this is usually true where the pump is 5 HP or greater but not for smaller pumps. Consult your water well contractor for a final determination on the size of pressure tank(s) needed. The majority of campgrounds are classified as noncommunity water supply systems.

Contact us

For information and questions on noncommunity water supply requirements, contact the EGLE Noncommunity Water Supply program.

The campground owner should contact either the local health department having jurisdiction in their area or the EGLE Campground program prior to making any changes or modifications to the campground's wells or well houses. A permit or approval may be required from the local health department and/or from EGLE for such changes.

  • PDF version of "Campground well house requirements" document

    Download a PDF version of this content