Important Update for the Pollution Prevention Program

The Washtenaw County Pollution Prevention Regulation is paused for a period of up to 2 years (potentially until March 4, 2024), including submission of reports, status sheets, and fees, and performance of routine inspections. 

During this pause, businesses are not required to submit status sheet updates, reports, or new fees to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Instead, we encourage businesses to use this time to consider updates to the program. (Note that any unpaid fees from 2021 and prior are still due.)

During this pause, the Washtenaw County Health Department will not be performing routine facility inspections. Instead, our staff will review the current regulation and look for gaps and duplications in the local, state, and federal regulatory framework. We will also engage community members, partners, and our regulated businesses to find out what aspects of the program they feel are important to protect their employees, their environment, and their community. 

Pollution Prevention Program

The Washtenaw County Pollution Prevention Program is responsible for inspecting facilities that store, manufacture, or use hazardous, toxic, or polluting materials.

Our Environmental Health Sanitarians ensure that facilities utilize and dispose of hazardous materials properly, thereby preventing environmental contamination. This program operates in accordance with the Washtenaw County Pollution Prevention Regulation (PDF).

• Pollution Prevention Program Inspection Guidance - This document describes the inspection requirements for compliance with the regulation. It also indicates which items must be in compliance to achieve reduced inspection frequency status.
• Pollution Prevention Regulation (PDF)
• Pollution Prevention Program Policies
• Storage Criteria for Toxic, Hazardous, or Polluting Materials
• Sample Site Plan (PDF)
• Do you know where your floor drains go? - Fact sheet (PDF)
• Pollution Prevention Program Fees

Environmental Excellence Partnership Program (E2P2)

The Environmental Excellence Partnership Program (E2P2) recognizes businesses and non-profit organizations in Washtenaw County that provide leadership in environmental protection and practice environmentally sound behavior in the areas of water quality protection, waste reduction and recycling, and pollution prevention. Partnership is free and participants receive free technical assistance, complimentary audits, recognition in the community via advertisements and displays at community events, and more. Participants are also eligible for our annual Environmental Excellence Awards.

E2P2 offers 3 opportunities for participation: Community Partners for Clean Streams for water quality protection, Waste Knot for waste reduction and recycling, and the Pollution Prevention Program. See the E2P2 site for more!

Illegal Dumping in Washtenaw County

• Washtenaw County Regulation for Roadside Dumping and Littering Control (PDF)
• Washtenaw County Regulation for Cleanup of Environmental Incidents (PDF)

Helpful Links

• MDEQ - Pollution Prevention Program - The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality provides assistance to businesses, institutions and the public to improve the environment and save money by adopting the three "Rs" reduce, reuse and recycle. Known also as pollution prevention, this is a non-regulatory assistance program that provides information, technical assistance and financial incentives to reduce pollution.
• Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) Information - In case of environmental emergency affecting AIR, LAND, or WATER, call 800-292-4706 (in Michigan). The PEAS hotline should be used to report environmental pollution emergencies such as tanker accidents, pipeline breaks, and releases of reportable quantities of hazardous substances as required.