The Environmental Health Bureau offers this evaluation to any interested party. Lending institutions and homebuyers often use this service. Kalamazoo County has been doing these evaluations for over 20 years. We have in excess of 50 years combined experience with five full time staff performing inspections.

The program has developed into a very valuable resource that protects and informs all parties associated with a property sale. The program is not regulated; therefore, other inspection companies may not meet the standards of the Environmental Health Bureau. Our product is an objective, competent analysis of the existing condition of the onsite water supply system and/or onsite sewage treatment system.

The onsite water supply system is evaluated based on construction and water quality. The onsite sewage treatment system is evaluated for system size and condition. The Environmental Health Bureau has many resources available including original permits, "as built" drawings of onsite sewage treatment systems, and previous evaluation reports that may better prepare a homeowner for an upcoming inspection. After an inspection, a computer generated, easy to read report will be issued when all information has been reviewed and processed.

The application (pdf) includes a detailed description of homeowner's responsibilities and what to expect when an inspection is scheduled.

Photographic examples of what to uncover for the inspection are shown below.

Stone Trenches or Drainbeds

Figure 1 and 2: Stone trench or drainbed: Stone and pipe must be exposed.

Stoneless Tubing

Figure 3 and 4: Stoneless tubing: Must be able to see inside tubing.

Stoneless Chambers

Figure 5 and 6: Stoneless chambers: End caps must be removed.

Drywells

Figure 7 and 8: Drywell: Must be able to remove cover and see sidewalls.