Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Water Resources Division
Administrative Rules for Sewerage Systems
Rule Set 2024-52 EQ
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
11:00 AM
In Person: ConCon Conference Room, Constitution Hall, 525 West Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48933
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy will hold a public hearing to receive public comments
on proposed changes to the Sewerage Systems rule set.
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), will hold a public hearing to receive public
comments on proposed changes to the Sewerage System administrative rule set.
The proposed rule set (2024-52 EQ) will amend the current administrative rules to require facility classification
and operator certification for collection systems and retention treatment basins (RTB). Currently, wastewater
collection systems that discharge to a wastewater treatment facility are operated by individuals that are not
certified with a system-specific certification. EGLE is addressing longstanding operation and maintenance
issues with collection systems such as breakdowns, blockages, capacity issues, infiltration and inflow, and
structural integrity issues. The additional oversight, operation, and maintenance requirements for the collection
systems will provide more protection for public health and the environment and assist the receiving wastewater
treatment plants to better manage their systems to meet permit requirements.
The proposed RTB facility classification and corresponding operator certification requirement will improve the
quality of operation of RTB facilities by focusing operator knowledge on operational situations and processes
unique to these types of facilities. Most RTB facilities require operator certification at the Class D level or with
industrial wastewater treatment certifications that reflect the waste treatment at those systems. Neither of those
certification processes accurately reflect the nature of an RTB facility. The proposed RTB certification will allow
those operators to become properly certified with relevant information and continuing education requirements.
Additionally, construction permit requirements are being streamlined to better address continuity of service
concerns for privately owned, publicly used sewer or sewerage systems. This is currently addressed with Water
Resources Division (WRD) Policy and Procedure No. WRD-010, Part 41 – Sewerage Systems Permit Approval,
and the process has been somewhat cumbersome for both applicants and WRD staff who process construction
permits. The proposed rules will include requirements for such systems and streamline the permit process by
setting clear expectations in rule for privately owned, publicly used systems so that they may plan accordingly
when submitting applications for Part 41 Wastewater Construction Permits (Part 41 Permit). Additionally,
requirements for approval of plan revisions have been updated to be consistent with the Part 41 statute.
EGLE is proposing to rescind R 299.2972, R 299.2973, and R 299.2974 due to duplicative language that exists
in the Administrative Procedures Act, 1969 PA 306, as amended; the administrative rules pertaining to the
Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules; and additional rules pertaining to contested cases and
declaratory rulings.
These rules are promulgated by authority conferred on the director of EGLE by section(s) 324.4104(1) of the
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, MCL 324.4101.
The proposed rules will take effect immediately after filing with the Secretary of State. The proposed rules are
Michigan Register. Copies of these proposed rules may also be obtained by mail or email at the following email
Comments on these proposed rules may be made at the hearing, by mail, or by email at the following addresses
until 4/30/2025 at 05:00 PM: