FAQs - CWS Construction Permits

All permitting is now conducted through MiEHDWIS. The permit application, review process, and approval are completed electronically. Go to Community Water Supply Construction Permits for resources and general MiEHDWIS links.

EGLE staff can see permit applications after they are submitted by a Certifier. Permit applications are not accessible to EGLE staff before submission. The water system can access and edit the activity while it is in this draft state.

Only an approved water system representative may officially apply for a permit. In MiEHDWIS, this is the water system's Certifier. Other contributor types may prepare, edit, or view a permit activity, but the application can only be submitted by a Certifier. A permit application will not be reviewed by EGLE until a Certifier has submitted it.

For more information about Certifiers and other contributors, please visit What are the different contributor roles that I can have as an external user?

Please visit How do I submit my activity using the Pin?

The application is available within the permit activity after the activity is created. The application is a dynamic form, which means all information is entered into MiEHDWIS, and the application document can be revisited and revised until it is officially submitted to EGLE. 

Complete the dynamic form through MiEHDWIS. Contact EGLE staff if a MiEHDWIS Certifier is not available for the Community Water Supply. 

The Facility Summary is meant to be a brief, unique narrative to help distinguish the project. It is for describing the project’s purpose and location. Facility Details is where specific information is provided about materials, sizes, quantities, and other design parameters. These two fields have replaced the Facilities Description on the old form.

Plans, specifications, and other permitting documents are still part of the permitting process. Users will be asked if various files are necessary as they progress through the application. Tasks are generated after the application has been completed, prompting the user to upload files before the permit is submitted to EGLE. Uploaded files should be unlocked so EGLE staff can process them.

No. MiEHDWIS will automatically notify the EGLE engineer.

The activity's status will be updated as the permit application review progresses.

The activity status will change to More Information Needed, the system Activity Creator, Certifier, and Contributor (if applicable) will receive notifications, and tasks will be added for the user(s) to complete. Scroll down in the Tasks card to ensure all tasks have been viewed and completed.

Comments may be communicated through tasks, messages, PDF Review, email correspondence, or uploaded documents. PDF Review is an interactive PDF viewer; comments and responses may be provided directly on the submitted PDF documents. Ensure the comment pane is open and select Load All Comments to populate the comments

The Certifier must submit revisions to EGLE. Tasks may be generated for the Activity Creator, Certifier, or Contributor to complete before the Certifier can submit revisions. A Submit button will appear for the Certifier upon completion of all tasks.

New or revised files can be uploaded in the Attachments card. Revised applications must be reviewed by the Certifier each time revisions are made by clicking on the Start Form button, scrolling through the form, and clicking the Submit button. Changes can be made to the application before it is resubmitted. New or revised files should be identified through the file name and description.

The Messages card can be used for quick messages about an activity. EGLE engineers may also be contacted via email or phone call. District Engineer and Surface Water Engineer staff maps with contact information are available at Community Water Supply Construction Permits.

The activity status will change to Active, and the Activity Creator, Certifier, and Contributor will receive notifications.

MiEHDWIS generates a downloadable permit document, which includes the permit number, approved facilities, expiration date, and any applicable conditions.

Once approved, the permit document will appear in the EGLE Attachments card, along with other relevant files. The permit document file name will include the Public Water Supply Identification (PWSID), document type, and Permit Number (e.g., MI0012345_Construction Permit_ACT-555555).

Approved files receive a digital stamp bearing the EGLE logo, permit number, date, name of the EGLE staff person processing the permit, and a timestamp. Approved files are accessible through the EGLE Attachments card after permit approval.

The activity’s status is Active for two (2) years, after which the activity status will transition to Closed/Expired. If construction has commenced within two years of permit issuance, then the permit will not expire, but the activity will close. If construction has not commenced within that timeframe, then the permit will expire, and the activity will close. Extensions may be requested before the expiration date if more time is needed.

The permit is accessible through MiEHDWIS to any activity contributor with viewing permissions. The Certifier and Activity Creator (if applicable) receive notifications that the activity is Active and the permit is available.

If construction has not commenced within two years of permit issuance, then permit extensions must be requested before the expiration date, and approved by EGLE, to avoid permit expiration. If the request is approved, the activity status will transition to Active, and the new permit expiration date will be two (2) years from the extension approval date. If the request is denied, the activity status will transition back to Active and remain that way until the original permit expiration date, upon which the status will transition to Closed/Expired. The activity will close, and the permit will expire.

Contact your EGLE engineer to discuss the proposed changes before any construction occurs that does not match the permit. Per Rule 1309 of Act 399, EGLE approval or new permit issuance is required before altering the construction plans. If a new permit is required, the permit application process must be followed, and all relevant documents must be submitted. Information for the whole project, not just the revised portion(s), must be included. Call out all proposed revisions in the permit application, plans, and specifications. The Facilities Summary for the new permit application should reference the original permit number, for example: ACT-999999 | Main Street Reconstruction - Superseding ACT-888888. The original permit will be closed by EGLE staff after the new permit is issued, and it will contain a condition explaining that the original permit has been superseded by the revised permit.

As-built plans, or other documents required after project completion, should be emailed to the EGLE Engineer.