Environmental Health
Contact Information:
Benzie Office: Phone number: 231-882-2103, Fax number: 231-882-2204, Email: bldhd@bldhd.org, Address: 6051 Frankfort Hwy, Ste 100, Benzonia, MI 49616.
Leelanau Office: Phone number: 231-256-0201, Fax number: 231-256-0225, Email: bldhd@bldhd.org, Address: 7401 E Duck Lake road, Ste 100, Lake Leelanau, MI, 49653.
Notice:
New Sanitary Code- takes effect on January 27, 2023
District Sanitary Code Regulatory Changes – Quick Reference Guide
Increase in Environmental Health Fees:
Effective November 1, 2022, fees for environmental health services for permits and evaluations that require a water test will increase. Please make sure you are using an application with a date of 11/1/2022. A detailed fee schedule can be seen by clicking on the link below:
Environmental Health Fees Effective Nov 1, 2022
*Benzie County- All townships have been added!
Land Disposal and Waste Water Management
- Over 90% of residents in Benzie and Leelanau County utilize on-site sewage disposal and on-site residential water supplies.
- Our health department issues, on a per capita basis, more on-site septic, and well permits than any other Environmental Health Division in the state of Michigan.
- In addition, our health department was one of three in the state chosen to pilot a field evaluation component of the on-site sewage program accreditation.
- In 2001 a new alternative treatment system regulation for sewage disposal was adopted in Leelanau County. Benzie County adopted a similar regulation in 2002.
- This group (www.wastewatereducation.org) is an organization that promotes clean ground and surface waters in the field of waste treatment.
Water Quality Management
- Protection of our lakes, streams, and the water we drink is promoted through the proper installation of individual water wells and the monitoring and regulating of Type II water supplies to ensure safe, usable groundwater.
- Educational Information about drinking water wells and water sample results.
Food Protection
- Our goal of minimizing foodborne illness risk is met through inspection of fixed and temporary locations where food is prepared and/or served and by educating food establishment operators.
- Click here for information from the National Restaurant Association and the Serv Safe Program
- Click here for a temporary food checklist.
Community Health and Safety
- This area includes swimming pool licenses, FIA facility inspections, campground licenses, and the licensing of septic haulers.
- We also answer any questions about vector-borne diseases such as West Nile, Rabies, Lyme Disease, Bovine Tuberculosis, and Chronic Wasting Disease.
- MDHHS is offering free water testing for Lead.
MiWell/Wellogic
- MDHHS Division of Environmental Health (DEH) created a postcard to share the importance of well maintenance, water testing, and treatment for private residential well owners. DEH worked with EGLE on receiving addresses from Wellogic of private residential wells that have recently been replaced or modified.
- Wellogic- the State of Michigan's statewide groundwater database.
- This database allows residents and professionals to search for private residential well information.
- How to use the database- video