District Health Department #10 POINT OF SALE PROGRAM, is required in Kalkaska, Manistee & Newaygo (Brooks Twp only) Counties. (Similar programs exist in Benzie County and Long Lake Township of Grand Traverse County.)
The point of sale program mandates the inspection of the water supply (well) and the sewage disposal (septic) system when the property is sold.

The primary purpose of the POS program is to provide a buyer with valuable information concerning their new property while informing them of what type of facilities they have but also the condition that it is in.
 Secondly, the POS program typically results in a significant amount of improvement and upgrades to the well and septic systems and provides useful information to the Health Department concerning how well the septic systems are working and allows them to determine if changes are needed in their designs.

WELL INSPECTION:
• A review of the Health Department record and the water well log, if they are available.
• Visual inspection of the well construction, its location and a determination of its compliance with state code.
• Measurement of the isolation distance between the well and the septic system.
• Collection of a bacterial and a nitrate water sample.

SEPTIC INSPECTION:
• A review of the Health Department permits and final inspections, if available.
• Confirmation of the location, type and size of the septic system.
• Visual inspection of the area of the septic system.

o Drywell System: Visual inspection of the interior of the system.
• Several fixtures will be run to ensure that the wastewater is not backed-up into the dwelling.

The District #10 Health Department will do either the Well or Septic Inspection for $130 each or $240 for both at the same time.
They will not do inspections during the months of December thru February but will allow sales agreements, during this period, to include agreements for spring inspections and recommends at least $10,000 be held in escrow until the completion of the inspection to cover possible problems that may be encountered. Yes, $10K! The replacement of a complete septic system could be the most expensive componet of your home!!!

SEPTIC TANK PUMPING: In addition to the above inspection requirements, if the tank has not been pumped in the last 2 years, (The home owner will be required to provide an approved pumping log or receipt that it had been pumped). Or, the tank will have to be pumped prior to the closing of the sale.

HOME OWNER REQUIREMENTS: If the Health Department does not have records of the size of the tank, nor does the home owner, the corners of the tank will have to be exposed to verify the location and size. Accessible manhole covers and risers must be present on drywells or septic tanks or the access hole must be exposed for inspection.

CERTIFIED INSPECTORS: Northwest Michigan Home Inspection Services is currently working on becoming certified to perform these inspections in Manistee & Kalkaska Counties. Until that time, we will coordinate the District 10 inspections to coincide with our home inspection at no additional charge over the Health Department rates, or perform the same service in other counties for an additional fee of $225.

NOTE TO BUYERS:
Discuss these requirements with your agent for who is to cover the cost of these inspections and insist that these regulatations are being followed.
Simply pumping the tank is not enough! If pumping the tank had been neglected over the years, the drain field may have already been damaged or destroyed. If the house has been vacant or, been used seasonally, once normal occupancy resumes, the system may no longer be functional and the drainfield may have to be replaced in the near future!
These regulations are for your benefit for your future enjoyment of the home and to ensure that the Seller has fullfilled their obligations for maintaining the system during their occupancy.