Well water testing in Calhoun County, MI
Calhoun County Public Health tests well water: bacteria $22 and nitrate $22, plus a $5 processing fee per address. Pick up bottles at 190 E. Michigan Ave. in Battle Creek. Samples are accepted Monday to Thursday, 7am to 2:30pm (closed 12:30 to 1pm).
- Bacteria test
- $22
- Sample
- You or staff take the sample
Checked Nov 7, 2026 · All 6 sources
Where to get your well tested
Calhoun County Public Health Department, Environmental Public Health
Checked Nov 7, 2026 on calhouncountymi.gov
| Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli)coliform bacteria and E. coliPlus a $5 processing fee for each address sampled. | $22 |
| NitratenitratePlus a $5 processing fee for each address sampled. | $22 |
- Who takes the sample
- You or staff take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Pick up bottles at the Environmental Public Health front desk during business hours. Call first. Different tests need different bottles and different sampling spots. You can also have staff take the sample; call for the price and an appointment.
- Calhoun County Public Health Department, Toeller Building, 190 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek
- Returning the sample
- Fill out the water testing request form, print clearly. Keep the sample in the refrigerator until you deliver it to the Environmental Public Health office.
- Drop-off hours
- Monday to Thursday, 7am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 2:30pm
- Good to know
- The county sends samples to the Kalamazoo County lab. The portal also has a surface water request form and a pool water request form.
- Address
- 190 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab)
Checked Nov 7, 2026 on michigan.gov
| 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 testing
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 pageWhat the health department recommends
The state recommends testing your well for coliform bacteria and nitrates every year. The Michigan health department also recommends testing for nitrite every year and for arsenic every 3 to 5 years.
This is the county or state health agency's own advice, not ours.
Rules that apply
- In Michigan, a new well must be tested when it is first put in. After that, testing is up to the well owner.
Staff can take the sample for a fee. Call 269-969-6341 for the price and to book a visit.
Well testing in Calhoun County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Calhoun County?
Calhoun County Public Health Department, Environmental Public Health charges $22 for "Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli)". Plus a $5 processing fee for each address sampled. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Nov 7, 2026.
Who tests well water in Calhoun County?
Calhoun County Public Health Department, Environmental Public Health tests private wells for residents. You can also use Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab).
How do I get a sample bottle in Calhoun County?
Pick up bottles at the Environmental Public Health front desk during business hours. Call first. Different tests need different bottles and different sampling spots. You can also have staff take the sample; call for the price and an appointment.
Where this comes from
We read these 6 pages on Nov 7, 2026. Fees and hours change, so call before you take a sample.
- Well and septiccalhouncountymi.gov · Web page
- ccphd-portal.hedgerowsoftware.comWeb page
- Contact uscalhouncountymi.gov · Web page
- Water Testing Fee Schedulemichigan.gov · PDF
Show 2 more
- Private well testingmichigan.gov · Web page
- Drinking watermichigan.gov · Web page
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