More than 1.3 million Michigan homes and businesses rely on onsite septic systems, making system maintenance and replacement an important issue for wastewater management, environmental protection and property owners. Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is using SepticSmart Week to highlight maintenance requirements and financing available for replacing failed systems.
Septic systems treat wastewater from properties that are not connected to centralized sewer networks. System configurations vary based on factors including soil conditions, site characteristics, property size, household demand and local requirements.
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A conventional system generally consists of a buried septic tank and a drainfield. Wastewater enters the tank, where solids settle and floating materials are separated before liquid effluent moves into the drainfield for treatment through the surrounding soil.
EGLE is emphasizing routine inspections, pumping and water-efficient practices as measures that can extend system service life and reduce the likelihood of failures. Property owners are also advised to prevent heavy equipment and vehicles from operating over drainfields and to keep stormwater and other drainage flows away from treatment areas.
For construction professionals working on properties with onsite wastewater systems, drainfield protection and site drainage can be important considerations during property improvements, landscaping and other construction activity.
Michigan's Septic Replacement Loan Program provides financing for homeowners replacing failed septic systems. EGLE works with Michigan Saves, a nonprofit green bank lender, to administer the program.
The program includes two financing tiers. Tier 1 provides income-based financing, while Tier 2 offers market-based loans. Projects receiving program support must meet EGLE's minimum standards and be completed by contractors authorized by Michigan Saves.
Since the program began about two and a half years ago, more than 475 septic systems have been permitted, installed and funded statewide. The investment has exceeded $8 million, while the replacements are estimated to result in approximately 60 million gallons of wastewater being properly treated each year.
The funding creates a defined financing pathway for eligible property owners facing replacement costs and provides work opportunities for qualified septic system contractors participating in the program.
SepticSmart Week runs Sept. 14-18, 2026. EGLE is also promoting a free Sept. 14 webinar covering septic system operation and maintenance. The session is scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT and is intended to provide homeowners with information on maintaining onsite wastewater systems.
For owners and contractors, the initiative underscores the role of properly designed, installed and maintained onsite wastewater infrastructure in property development and long-term asset management. Michigan's large installed base of septic systems also means replacement, inspection and related site work remain relevant to residential and commercial properties across the state.
The scale of Michigan's septic infrastructure makes maintenance and replacement an ongoing construction and property-management concern. The state's replacement loan program provides financing support for qualifying projects, while contractor participation requirements establish standards for funded replacement work.
For construction owners and developers working on properties served by septic systems, understanding site-specific wastewater requirements and protecting existing treatment infrastructure can help address project and long-term operating considerations.
Source: Michigan Government.
