Water Quality and Reporting

Retaining the small-town character and protecting the beach, water resources and parks are a top priority for residents in the Village of Empire. The Village of Empire ensures the regular testing of drinking water and ground water. During the busy summer months, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department samples the Lake Michigan and South Bar Lake beaches on a weekly basis.

The Village is fortunate to have an active and well-educated volunteer association, the South Bar Lake Association, that has for more than 10 years, participated in the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) through the State of Michigan.

In addition, every 3-5 years, the Village of Empire, working with the South Bar Lake Association, commissions a monitoring study of South Bar Lake to evaluate the health of water, flora and fauna both in the lake and along the shoreline. Recommendations from those studies are reviewed for possible implementation during the in between years.

The following link provides an overview of the various testing activities in the Village of Empire. Supplemental links to various fact sheets from Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) and a map of the well locations are also included.

EMPIRE WATER TESTING - What gets tested? Who does the testing? When is the testing done?