A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities.
An interactive map displaying contaminated sites throughout Michigan regulated under Parts 213, 201, and 211.
EGLE's interactive calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training programs.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. A fee may be charged to process your request. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request.
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Michigan’s Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended (Act 368), and the administrative rules adopted pursuant to Act 368, establish the requirements for building and operating a public swimming pool. The provisions of Act 368 and the administrative rules for public swimming pools may be obtained from Michigan.gov/EGLEPools or from your local county or district health department. A swimming pool is defined in Part 125 of Act 368, as "an artificial body of water used collectively by a number of individuals primarily for the purpose of swimming, wading, recreation or instruction and includes related equipment, structures, areas, and enclosures intended for the use of individuals using or operating the swimming pool such as equipment, dressing, locker, shower, and toilet rooms. Public swimming pools include those which are for parks, schools, motels, camps, resorts, apartments, clubs, hotels, mobile home parks, subdivisions, waterparks, and the like."
Prior to beginning construction of a public swimming pool or making alterations to an existing public swimming pool, the developer or owner must obtain a construction permit, issued by EGLE. This permit ensures that any investments made in pool construction can be recovered. This is most significant for spas or hot tubs considering very few of the spas available at stores or businesses meet the construction requirements. It is also recommended that the developer first contact a pool contractor with experience in building public swimming pools to obtain a cost estimate and general information on the options available for pool construction.
To obtain a construction permit, the developer or pool contractor must submit a proposal to EGLE, Environmental Health Section, Swimming Pool Program. This proposal should contain a completed Public Swimming Pool Construction Permit Application, plans drawn to scale, and the appropriate permit fee. The plans need to be prepared by an engineer or architect licensed in Michigan if the total project cost exceeds $15,000. Electronic plans should be submitted to the appropriate EGLE engineer via email and one set to the local health department having jurisdiction where the pool will be located.
The local health department and EGLE will review the proposal. The developer will then be issued a construction permit or advised in writing of the aspects of the proposal that do not comply, as appropriate.
The issuance of a swimming pool construction permit by EGLE does not relieve the owner from obtaining local building permits or complying with other local requirements or the provisions of other State of Michigan laws. Inquiries concerning local permits can be made to the clerk or building inspector in the city, village, or township in which the swimming pool is to be located.
Prior to opening the public swimming pool for use, the owner must obtain a license to operate from EGLE. Details regarding licensure are sent to the owner with the construction permit approval. The owner or pool contractor will need to contact EGLE to request an invoice and pay for an initial license, and to schedule an initial inspection with either EGLE or the local health department as noted on the permit. The purpose of the initial inspection is to ensure that the swimming pool is built or modified in accordance with the approved plans and that the pool water quality meets standards. The owner will be informed of any items of noncompliance or given approval to open the swimming pool for public use, as appropriate, at the conclusion of the initial inspection.
Inquiries concerning the construction and licensing of a public swimming pool should be made to the appropriate EGLE engineer (construction); or to EGLE by e-mail at EGLE-DWEHD-PublicPoolProgram@Michigan.gov (licensing).
