Well water testing in Michigan
4 of the 7 counties listed here test private wells through the county health department; the others rely on Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory. A bacteria test costs from $12 to $25, typically $23.
Pick your county
| County | Who tests | Bacteria test |
|---|---|---|
| Kent County | Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab)You take the sample | $23 |
| Lapeer County | Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab)You take the sample | $23 |
| Livingston County | Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab)You take the sample | $23 |
| Oakland County | County health dept.You take the sample | $12 |
| Ottawa County | County health dept.You take the sample | $20 |
| St. Clair County | County health dept.You or staff take the sample | $25 |
| Washtenaw County | County health dept.You take the sample | $15 |
Labs that serve the whole state
State lab
Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab)
| Total coliform and E. colicoliform bacteria and E. coli | $23 |
| Sample preparation feeAdded once per sample for metals, hardness, partial chemistry and some other tests. | $13 |
| ArsenicarsenicPlus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $15 |
| UraniumuraniumPlus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $15 |
All 14 tests and prices
| Lead and copperlead and copperPlus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $30 |
| HardnesshardnessCalcium, magnesium and calculated hardness. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $30 |
| Nitrate and nitritenitrate and nitrite | $41 |
| Partial chemistryCalcium, chloride, fluoride, hardness, iron, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, sodium and sulfate. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $66 |
| Partial metalsarsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and other itemsArsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $81 |
| Complete metalsarsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and other itemsAntimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, thallium and zinc. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $136 |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)VOCs | $147 |
| 1,4-Dioxaneother items | $169 |
| Pesticides and aromatic compoundspesticides | $183 |
| PFASPFAS | $320 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Call the lab to order a test kit. You can have it shipped to your home, or pick it up at the lab in Lansing at a time you book. Allow about a week for the order, plus shipping. Use only the lab's bottles.
- EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory, 3350 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing
- Returning the sample
- Fill out the form completely; samples with incomplete forms are rejected. Ship the sample overnight (UPS Next Day Air, USPS Priority Mail Express or FedEx Priority Overnight) on the same day you take it, Monday to Wednesday only. Or bring it to the lab in Lansing; call first to book a drop-off time. Bacteria samples are not accepted on Fridays.
- Drop-off hours
- Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4:30pm; Friday, 8am to 3pm (by appointment only; no bacteria samples on Fridays)
- Time limit
- The sample must reach the lab within 24 hours of when you take it, so ship it the same day.
- By mail
- Yes, samples can be mailed.
- Results in
- Up to 10 business days after the lab gets the sample, plus mailing time.
- How you get results
- Results are mailed, and emailed if you give an email address. A copy also goes to your county health department, which can help explain them.
- Good to know
- The lab does not explain results. Call your county health department for help with what they mean.
- Address
- 3350 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, MI 48906
Microbiology scheduling (special bacteria tests): 517-335-9814
Free and lower-cost programs in Michigan
Ended
Free well water test kits (State of Michigan, 2023)
Who qualifies: Michigan residents with a private well
Free test kits for coliform bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, metals and other common contaminants. The $5 million fund ran out within a week of opening in September 2023.
Program page