Water Withdrawal Permits

A Water Withdrawal Registration is required prior to beginning a new or increased withdrawal with at least 100,000 gallons per day (70 gallons per minute) in withdrawal capacity but less than or equal to 2,000,000 GPD (1,388 GPM) capacity.

A Water Withdrawal Permit is required prior to beginning a new or increased withdrawal that:

• will have more than 2,000,000 gallons per day (or 1,388 gallons per minute) withdrawal capacity
• OR will transfer more than 100,000 gallons per day, averaged over any 90-day period, from the watershed of one Great Lake to the watershed of another Great Lake.

Exceptions - these withdrawals aren't required to obtain a Water Withdrawal Permit but are subject to Registration instead:

• community water supplies - contact your Community Water Supply Program district engineer instead
• bottled water production - review the Bottled Water Source Approval requirements instead
• seasonal withdrawals - active for no more than 6 months per year AND average less than 2,000,000 GPD water use in any 90-day period within their season of operation
• temporary withdrawals - short term withdrawals that total less than 180,000,000 gallons water use for the entire withdrawal period.
  
  

To apply for a Water Withdrawal Permit use the MiEnviro online permitting site. You must sign in with a MiEnviro user account to apply for a permit. A $2000 application fee payable online through MiEnviro is required.

Prior to submitting a Water Withdrawal Permit application please call 517-599-3792 or email WaterUseProgram@Michigan.gov to confirm your application and for any questions.