MiWATT: Michigan Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool

The Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool is intended for use prior to installing a new or increased large quantity withdrawal for the purpose of determining the potential impact to nearby water resources. Beginning February 28, 2006 all new withdrawals are prohibited from causing an adverse resource impact to the waters of the state. Use of the Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool is required prior to installation of any new or increased large quantity withdrawal.

A large quantity withdrawal (LQW) with a capacity of 70 or more GPM must be registered before the withdrawal can begin. To register this withdrawal, follow this step by step tutorial.

A registration must be verified within 18 months by installation of the withdrawal. A registration that does not match actual installation, or that has not been installed within 18 months becomes void.

Using Michigan Water Assessment Withdrawal Tool

https://www.egle.state.mi.us/wwat/

Above is the link to the Michigan Water Withdraw Assessment Tool

One the link and click start

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There are three options for your selection based off your needs. For the example, we will be showing how to start a new withdrawal. This is found under the “Assess a New Withdrawal” tab on the bottom left.  

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Next, you will be prompted to locate your water withdraw.

On the right side the “ New Withdraw” button will populate a cursor shown in the middle to select the exact location of the new well you are wanting to add.

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The withdraw information will ask various questions about the type of well that you wish to install and the capabilities at which you are drawing water from the ground. These details will often determine which zone (A,B,C, or D) your well falls into. These zones regulate the amount of water that can be pumped in each area in order to not cause “adverse resource impact”.

 

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Finally, when your data has been submitted and the model has been run, a withdraw screening will be generated. This will tell you if the site selected is allowed to have a withdraw of your magnitude. A result in zones A or B is allowed for registration which will come up as an option on the right side. A Zone C result will require a site-specific review to be conducted by government officials. A zone D result is a protected zone that does not allow the withdrawal of your specific magnitude to be approved.

 

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