Tag: michigan septic code

New poll: 75% of Michiganders support a statewide septic code

Published on April 14th, 2026 by - Blog Posts, Reports & Media Releases

News from Progress Michigan

Contact: Levi Teitel, levi@progressmichigan.org
Contact: Megan Kelto, megan@flowwateradvocates.org

April 14, 2026

MICHIGAN – Recent polling released by Progress Michigan shows that 75 percent of Michiganders support enacting a statewide septic code. In January, state Sen. Sam Singh introduced a bill (SB 771) that would do exactly that. If the bill passes it would require the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to establish a septic system sanitary code.

“Michigan is the Great Lakes State, and we want to be able to trust that our water is clean, safe to consume, and healthy for our environment. It doesn’t make sense that we are the only state without a statewide septic code, and voters are clear that needs to change,” said Justin Mendoza, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Failing septic systems are not only a threat to our water systems, they are a threat to our public health.”

“It is high time for Michigan to adopt a uniform septic code,” said Liz Kirkwood, executive director of Flow Water Advocates. “Failing and aging systems threaten drinking water and our lakes and rivers. This legislation establishes common-sense protections that every Michigander can support — because clean water is not optional, it’s essential for our health and communities.”

The poll found that septic code legislation has strong bipartisan support, as well as majority support across demographics. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Flow to host webinar about new septic system legislation

Published on February 26th, 2026 by - Blog Posts, Reports & Media Releases

Watch the septic webinar recording on YouTube.

Traverse City, Mich. – Michigan’s water and public health are threatened by an estimated 330,000 failing septic systems, but new legislation (SB 771) recently introduced by Sen. Sam Singh (D-28) proposes common-sense statewide septic standards to help keep human and household wastes out of our lakes, rivers, and drinking water wells. Michigan is the only state in the U.S. without a statewide septic code, and only 12 of Michigan’s 83 counties have septic ordinances.

On March 6, 2026 at 12:30pm, Flow Water Advocates will host a live webinar via Zoom with Sen. Singh to discuss Michigan’s outdated, fragmented approach to septic system oversight and how key provisions in the new bill will protect water quality, property values, and human health.

Sen. Singh will be joined by a panel of experts, including Megan Tinsley, Water Policy Director, Michigan Environmental Council; Dan Thorell, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department; and Anthony Kendall, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Michigan State University. The event will be moderated by Skip Pruss, Flow Senior Advisor and former Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (now EGLE).

The webinar is free to attend, and will include audience Q&A. Registration is available online at www.FlowWaterAdvocates.org/septic and via Zoom.

Meet our panelists:

Sen. Sam Singh, Michigan State Senator (D-28)
Sam Singh is a Democratic Michigan State Senator representing the 28th District and serves as Senate Majority Floor Leader in his first Senate term. He previously served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, where he was selected by his colleagues as Democratic Leader and championed education, environmental protection, and economic development.

Anthony Kendall, Assistant Professor in Earth and Environmental Sciences and AgBioResearch, Michigan State University
A lifelong Michigan resident, he studies how climate and land use impact water resources and the human and ecological systems that depend on them. His research reveals the hidden processes shaping water use and informs resource management decisions. Anthony is also a dedicated educator, training the next generation of scientists, practitioners, and decision-makers at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Dan Thorell, Health Officer, Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
Dan Thorell is a public health leader with more than 29 years of experience in environmental health. He serves as health officer for the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department. He was previously the Health Officer, Deputy Health Officer and
Environmental Health Director at the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. Thorell Executive currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan
Association of Local Public Health.

Megan Tinsley, Water Policy Director, Michigan Environmental Council
The Delta Charter Township resident comes to the Environmental Council with 12 years of combined experience at two Audubon Societies. She began as an Everglades science advocate and policy associate at Audubon Florida, where she coordinated with scientists and other allies to advance restoration projects like increasing freshwater flows to Florida Bay. She then moved to New Jersey Audubon as a conservation associate and a policy director.