Page 1 of 63
Michigan Septic System Installer EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
Michigan Septic System Installer Exam Guide & Practice Questions
Practice Questions
A. Regulatory Framework & Agency Roles
1. Which Michigan state agency is primarily responsible for regulating onsite wastewater
treatment systems under Part 41 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act
(NREPA)?
A. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
B. Michigan State Police (MSP)
C. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
D. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)
Answer: C
Rationale: EGLE is the state agency responsible for protecting the environment and public
health by regulating wastewater discharges, including onsite systems under Part 41 of NREPA.
MDOT and MSP are not involved in environmental regulation.
2. In Michigan, the absence of a statewide septic code means:
, Page 2 of 63
A. No regulations exist anywhere in the state.
B. Local jurisdictions regulate septic systems with varying standards.
C. Federal law prohibits the use of septic systems.
D. Only state-level permits are required, and local health departments have no role.
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan is currently the only state without a statewide septic code. This means that
45 local health departments have their own sets of regulations and permitting requirements,
leading to varying standards across the state.
3. What is the primary role of Local Health Departments in septic system installation in
Michigan?
A. They only issue building permits unrelated to wastewater.
B. They enforce federal EPA rules exclusively.
C. They review plans, issue permits, and perform inspections for onsite sewage systems.
D. They design septic systems for homeowners.
Answer: C
Rationale: Local health departments are on the front line, evaluating system plans, issuing
permits, and conducting inspections to ensure compliance with local sanitary codes.
B. Key Reference Documents
4. Which document establishes the minimum uniform standards for the design, construction,
and approval of subsurface sewage disposal systems in Michigan?
, Page 3 of 63
A. The Public Health Code (Part 127)
B. The Michigan Criteria for Subsurface Sewage Disposal (MCSSD)
C. The Michigan Administrative Rules for Sewerage Systems (Part 22 Rules)
D. The Michigan Saves Contractor Agreement
Answer: B
Rationale: The MCSSD, published in April 1994, is the primary reference for the design and
construction of septic systems in the state. The Public Health Code and Part 22 Rules provide
the legal framework, but the MCSSD provides the technical design criteria.
C. System Components & Design
5. What is the primary purpose of a septic system?
A. To supply potable water to a residence.
B. To treat and dispose of wastewater on-site.
C. To collect and treat stormwater runoff.
D. To filter and store water for agricultural irrigation.
Answer: B
Rationale: The core function of a septic system is to treat and dispose of wastewater generated
on-site, ensuring it is safely processed before returning to the environment.
6. Which component of a septic system initially receives wastewater from the building?
A. Distribution box
B. Septic tank
, Page 4 of 63
C. Drainfield
D. Soil absorption trench
Answer: B
Rationale: The septic tank is the first major component. It receives all wastewater from the
house and allows solids to settle and scum to float.
7. Which component prevents scum and floating solids from exiting the septic tank and
damaging the drainfield?
A. Inlet baffle
B. Effluent filter
C. Outlet baffle
D. Distribution box
Answer: C
Rationale: The outlet baffle (or tee) directs the flow of liquid downward, preventing the floating
scum layer from exiting the tank with the effluent.
8. What is the main function of a septic tank riser?
A. To add structural support to the tank.
B. To increase the liquid capacity of the tank.
C. To provide easier access to the tank for inspection and pumping.
D. To connect the septic tank to the drainfield.
Answer: C
Michigan Septic System Installer EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
Michigan Septic System Installer Exam Guide & Practice Questions
Practice Questions
A. Regulatory Framework & Agency Roles
1. Which Michigan state agency is primarily responsible for regulating onsite wastewater
treatment systems under Part 41 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act
(NREPA)?
A. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
B. Michigan State Police (MSP)
C. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
D. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)
Answer: C
Rationale: EGLE is the state agency responsible for protecting the environment and public
health by regulating wastewater discharges, including onsite systems under Part 41 of NREPA.
MDOT and MSP are not involved in environmental regulation.
2. In Michigan, the absence of a statewide septic code means:
, Page 2 of 63
A. No regulations exist anywhere in the state.
B. Local jurisdictions regulate septic systems with varying standards.
C. Federal law prohibits the use of septic systems.
D. Only state-level permits are required, and local health departments have no role.
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan is currently the only state without a statewide septic code. This means that
45 local health departments have their own sets of regulations and permitting requirements,
leading to varying standards across the state.
3. What is the primary role of Local Health Departments in septic system installation in
Michigan?
A. They only issue building permits unrelated to wastewater.
B. They enforce federal EPA rules exclusively.
C. They review plans, issue permits, and perform inspections for onsite sewage systems.
D. They design septic systems for homeowners.
Answer: C
Rationale: Local health departments are on the front line, evaluating system plans, issuing
permits, and conducting inspections to ensure compliance with local sanitary codes.
B. Key Reference Documents
4. Which document establishes the minimum uniform standards for the design, construction,
and approval of subsurface sewage disposal systems in Michigan?
, Page 3 of 63
A. The Public Health Code (Part 127)
B. The Michigan Criteria for Subsurface Sewage Disposal (MCSSD)
C. The Michigan Administrative Rules for Sewerage Systems (Part 22 Rules)
D. The Michigan Saves Contractor Agreement
Answer: B
Rationale: The MCSSD, published in April 1994, is the primary reference for the design and
construction of septic systems in the state. The Public Health Code and Part 22 Rules provide
the legal framework, but the MCSSD provides the technical design criteria.
C. System Components & Design
5. What is the primary purpose of a septic system?
A. To supply potable water to a residence.
B. To treat and dispose of wastewater on-site.
C. To collect and treat stormwater runoff.
D. To filter and store water for agricultural irrigation.
Answer: B
Rationale: The core function of a septic system is to treat and dispose of wastewater generated
on-site, ensuring it is safely processed before returning to the environment.
6. Which component of a septic system initially receives wastewater from the building?
A. Distribution box
B. Septic tank
, Page 4 of 63
C. Drainfield
D. Soil absorption trench
Answer: B
Rationale: The septic tank is the first major component. It receives all wastewater from the
house and allows solids to settle and scum to float.
7. Which component prevents scum and floating solids from exiting the septic tank and
damaging the drainfield?
A. Inlet baffle
B. Effluent filter
C. Outlet baffle
D. Distribution box
Answer: C
Rationale: The outlet baffle (or tee) directs the flow of liquid downward, preventing the floating
scum layer from exiting the tank with the effluent.
8. What is the main function of a septic tank riser?
A. To add structural support to the tank.
B. To increase the liquid capacity of the tank.
C. To provide easier access to the tank for inspection and pumping.
D. To connect the septic tank to the drainfield.
Answer: C
