Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
SARA Title III establishes requirements regarding emergency planning and "Community Right-to-Know" reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals for federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as regulated facilities.
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.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Water Well Viewer (WWV), is an interactive mapping system that displays water wells along with other information, such as wellhead protection areas, underground storage tanks, and sites of environmental contamination. Water well locations have been identified by address matching, the use of global positioning systems (GPS), and by legal descriptions.
This system allows water well drilling and pump installation contractors to submit water well records.
Anyone wishing to formally serve legal documents upon the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), or its officers or employees, may do so by the following methods.
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The collection (sewer) system and retention treatment basin (RTB) certified operator rule requirements became effective on April 29, 2026. This means that the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) did not oppose EGLE’s draft rules and allowed the rules to move through the process. You can review the updated rule set and related information.
View the 2024-52 EQ - Sewerage Systems
While the rules are now in effect, communities are not required to comply immediately.
EGLE WRD must first classify collection systems and reclassify RTB systems before the certification requirements apply. At this time, the earliest anticipated timeline for initial system classifications and exam offerings is mid- to late 2028. We are currently developing an implementation strategy and additional supporting materials, which will be shared on this webpage as they become available.
On April 29, 2026, new rules were put in place for collection systems and RTB facilities. Collection system, or sewer system, means the network of pipes, drains, manholes, pumps, and related equipment that the public uses to carry household and industrial wastewater to a treatment plant. It serves more than one privately owned property. RTB means a treatment facility that holds and cleans wastewater and stormwater from a combined sewer system during storms. It operates according to the rules in its discharge permit. These rules explain how systems are classified and what certifications operators need.
This FAQ includes questions from public webinars held over the past few years. Most of the questions are related to the new classifications and certification requirements; additional questions about the rule changes are also included.
More webinars and presentations will be offered as the rules are implemented. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, EGLE also plans to work with an expanded group of stakeholders to support exam development and will continue working with partners like the Michigan Water Environment Association and Michigan Rural Water Association to offer training during the implementation process.
Learn more about the full rulemaking process. You can also find the rulemaking documents and read the final version of the updated rules.
Content updated: August 17, 2026
It is a city, village, township, local government, or any public serving system that sends wastewater to a treatment plant owned by another unit of government.
No. These rules do not affect other wastewater treatment certifications. If you already have a wastewater treatment certification and work in a collection system or RTB, you may qualify for restricted certifications or exams once your system is classified.
No. The RTB operator certification requirements do not affect the other wastewater treatment plant operator certifications. If you are a certified wastewater treatment plant operator who works at an RTB, you may be able to earn a restricted certification or qualify for an RTB exam after your system has been classified.
Yes. Facilities are encouraged to have more than one certified operator on staff.
The addition of Rule 35(4) requirements applies to private owned systems. These systems include non-governmentally owned systems that serve the public (e.g., serve more than 1 individually owned real property). The requirements generally include:
Note: Similar, existing requirements have been required for wastewater construction permitting for privately owned systems per EGLE policy WRD-010.
EGLE intends to implement Rule 35(4) in early 2027.
