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Aquifer dispute resolution

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Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Aquifer dispute resolution

High-capacity water wells can sometimes affect nearby residential wells. This usually happens when a high-capacity well lowers the water level in an aquifer below the level that nearby wells were designed to operate at. In some cases, it may also draw in lower-quality water, such as brine, into the aquifer.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) can help residential well owners resolve these issues. 

Only expenses incurred by the small-quantity well owner within 30 days before the complaint was made are eligible for reimbursement under Part 317. Reimbursement is limited to:

  • The cost of paying for a well assessment from a licensed water well driller to determine that the small-quantity well and equipment were functioning properly at the time of the well failure.
  • Paying for the cost of obtaining an immediate temporary adequate supply of potable water.
  • The restoration of the affected small-quantity well’s normal supply of water OR the permanent provision of an alternative potable supply of equal quality.

How complaints are handled

Part 317, Aquifer Protection and Dispute Resolution, specifies which wells are covered under the law and which state agency manages the complaint.

  • Agricultural wells

    Covered under Part 317

    MDARD handles complaints for high-capacity agricultural wells

  • Dewatering wells

     Exempt from Part 317

    Includes quarries and gravel mining operations

  • Fire suppression wells

     Exempt from Part 317

    Wells specifically drilled for emergency firefighting use only

  • Other wells

     Covered under Part 317

    EGLE handles complaints for other high-capacity wells

File a complaint

Residential well owners experiencing problems with their small-quantity wells must provide documentation from a licensed Michigan well driller confirming that the issues are not due to equipment failure or unrelated well damage.

Complaints must include:

  1. Groundwater Dispute Complaint Form – completed accurately and completely by the well owner.
  2. Water Supply Assessment Form – completed by a licensed well driller.

Groundwater Dispute Complaint Form

Water Supply Assessment Form

Important: Complaints must provide enough evidence to reasonably believe that the problem is caused by a high-capacity well. Submitting more than two unverified complaints within a year may require the complainant to pay for the cost of investigating subsequent complaints.

Submit complaint forms to:

 Fax: Toll-free 855-629-4337 (from outside Michigan: 517-335-0894)

 Email: WaterUseProgram@Michigan.gov

 Mail:

EGLE-GRMD Water Use Assessment Unit
P.O. Box 30256
Lansing, MI 48909-7756

Eligible reimbursements

Only expenses incurred by the small-quantity well owner within 30 days before filing the complaint may be reimbursed under Part 317. Reimbursement is limited to:

  • A well assessment by a licensed driller to confirm proper functioning of the small-quantity well and equipment.
  • Costs to obtain an immediate temporary potable water supply.
  • Restoration of the small-quantity well’s normal water supply, or provision of a permanent alternative water source of equal quality.

Resolution process

If EGLE or MDARD cannot resolve a dispute, their Directors may officially declare a groundwater dispute. This authority allows them to:

  • Order the immediate provision of an adequate potable water supply.
  • Impose restrictions on the pumping of the high-capacity well.
  • Require the high-capacity well owner to provide timely and reasonable compensation to the affected small-quantity well owner.

Contact us

Agricultural well complaints: Michael Wozniak (MDARD) at 517-285-1752 or WozniakM1@Michigan.gov

Non-agricultural well complaints: Sydney Ruhala (EGLE) at 517-648-7791 or RuhalaS@Michigan.gov