Regulations, Reporting, and Compliance
The regulatory frame
Michigan drinking water rules sit under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and state statute (1976 PA 399, as amended), administered by EGLE. Know the difference between primary MCLs (health-based, enforceable) and secondary standards (aesthetic). Monitoring and reporting are separate obligations: missing a sample is a monitoring violation; failing to report a result can be a reporting violation.
Public notification and CCR
Tier 1 violations require public notice within 24 hours; Tier 2 within 30 days; Tier 3 within one year. The Consumer Confidence Report is due by July 1 each year and must describe source water, detected contaminants, and compliance. Operator certification requires the right class and continuing education; know your system’s classification and your license limits.
Traps
Do not confuse an MCL exceedance with a treatment technique violation. Lead and copper are treated with action levels, not MCLs. Total coliform positives trigger repeat sampling and assessment, not automatic boil-water unless criteria are met.
Worked example
A routine total coliform sample is positive. The clock starts when the lab notifies you: collect repeat samples within 24 hours, including upstream and downstream locations as required, and investigate. If repeats are also positive, escalation and public notice requirements follow.