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Water use program

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Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Water use program

Michigan and the other Great Lakes states and provinces have laws regulating water use in the Basin, in line with the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and parallel international agreement.

The Water Use Program registers large withdrawals and evaluates their potential impacts, as well as processing withdrawal permits, in alignment with the requirements outlined in the Compact. This work provides a baseline for integrated water management and supports the legal protection of Great Lakes waters against unwarranted diversions.

Water use in Michigan

Registration of all large quantity water withdrawals is required in the State of Michigan.  Large quantity withdrawals are defined as having the capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day or more, which equates to a pump capacity of 70 gallons per minute or more and includes the combined total for all pumps on the property. 

A quick word on water withdrawals

Water withdrawals must be registered with EGLE. Local units of government, such as counties and townships, are prohibited from authorizing or denying large quantity withdrawals under Michigan Law.

All registered or permitted water users are required to report their annual water use by April 1 of each year. Agricultural users report their water use to MDARD; all other water users report their water use to EGLE.

  • A small stream surrounded by lush green grass

    Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool

    This tool is the central component of the Water Withdrawal Assessment Process — the means by which Michigan evaluates potential adverse resource impacts to surface water bodies from large quantity withdrawals

Contact the water use program

Find your topic below and reach out to the staff member who can help.

General questions about water use in Michigan can be directed to Jim Milne, Water Use Unit Supervisor at 517-285-3253 or MilneJ@Michigan.gov

  • Claire Rose, Senior Geologist

    • Site-Specific Review technical workgroup
    • Project administrator for:
      • Water resource project

     517-582-1174
     RoseC18@Michigan.gov

  • Michael Jugle, Geologist

    • Part 327 permits
    • Site-specific review
    • Project administrator for:
      • Stream gage network

     517-899-7426
      JugleM@Michigan.gov

  • Ashley Reibel, Geologist

    • Site-specific review
    • Project administrator for:
      • Streamflow depletion

    517-897-0058
     ReibelA@Michigan.gov

  • Hannah Arnett, Senior Analyst

    • Compliance
    • Project administrator for:
      • Water conservation pilot

    517-599-9767
     ArnettH2@Michigan.gov

Laws and rules