Well water testing in Oakland County, MI
Oakland County's lab tests well water. For a well in the county, bacteria is $12 and nitrate and minerals $10. Buy bottles at the Health Division in Pontiac or Southfield, and call before you bring a sample back to check lab days. The state lab in Lansing offers more tests.
- Bacteria test
- $12
- Sample
- You take the sample
Where to get your well tested
Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services (Health Division Laboratory)
For: Anyone; the lower prices apply when the well is in Oakland County
| Bacteriological (coliform)coliform bacteria and E. coliFor wells in Oakland County. $20 if the well is outside the county. If coliform is found, the lab also tests for E. coli. | $12 |
| Partial chemicalnitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride and sulfateFor wells in Oakland County. $18 if the well is outside the county. | $10 |
| ArsenicarsenicPrice for wells in Oakland County. | $16 |
| Lead and copperlead and copperPrice for wells in Oakland County. | $24 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Buy bottles, forms and instructions at a Health Division office in Pontiac or Southfield, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.
- North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Building 34E, Pontiac
- South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Rd., Southfield
- Returning the sample
- Bring the filled bottle and form back to the Health Division. Call Environmental Health Services before you go to check which days and times the lab takes well water samples.
- Good to know
- For tests the county lab does not do, such as VOCs or PFAS, order bottles from the state lab in Lansing.
- Address
- 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341
Health Division main line: 248-858-1280 · South Oakland Health Center: 248-424-7000
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 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
Test your well for bacteria and nitrates every year, and for arsenic every few 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.
Well testing in Oakland County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Oakland County?
Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services (Health Division Laboratory) charges $12 for "Bacteriological (coliform)". For wells in Oakland County. $20 if the well is outside the county. If coliform is found, the lab also tests for E. coli. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Oct 13, 2026.
Who tests well water in Oakland County?
Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services (Health Division Laboratory) tests private wells for residents. You can also use Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab).
How do I get a sample bottle in Oakland County?
Buy bottles, forms and instructions at a Health Division office in Pontiac or Southfield, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.
Checked Oct 13, 2026 against the provider's own pages. Fees and hours change, so call before you take a sample. Something wrong? corrections@wellwatertestfinder.com
Sources (16)
- oakgov.com/community/health/public-health-services/environmental-health/well-and-water-services
- cdn.oaklandcountymi.gov/oakland-sitefinity-prod/docs/default-source/health/public-health-services/environmental-health/26-1087-mmh-eh-fee-schedule.pdf?sfvrsn=82b46d86_1
- cdn.oaklandcountymi.gov/oakland-sitefinity-prod/docs/default-source/health/health/public-health-services/environmental-health/well-and-water-services/coliform-fs-1-26.pdf?sfvrsn=29552c27_0&Status=Master
- oakgov.com/community/health/about/contact-us
- oakgov.com/community/health/public-health-services/environmental-health/swimming-pools
- apps.oakgov.com/EHLT0006/pdf/EHSWellPacket.pdf
- michigan.gov/egle/-/media/Project/Websites/egle/Documents/Programs/RRD/Lab/Microbiological-Laboratory-Certifications.pdf
- michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/Remediation-and-Redevelopment/laboratory/drinking-water
- michigan.gov/egle/-/media/Project/Websites/egle/Documents/Programs/RRD/Lab/Water-Testing-Fee-Schedule.pdf
- michigan.gov/egle/-/media/Project/Websites/egle/Documents/Forms/RRD/Laboratory/EQP2301-Testing-Fee-Schedule.pdf
- michigan.gov/egle/public/services/drinking-water-testing
- michigan.gov/egle/faqs/drinking-water/testing
- michigan.gov/egle/-/media/Project/Websites/egle/Documents/Forms/RRD/Laboratory/EQP2300-02-Drinking-Water-Test-Request-Homeowner-Noncompliance.pdf
- michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/drinking-water-and-environmental-health/water-well-construction/private-well-testing
- michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/2023/10/16/free-water-tests-sell-out-quickly
- michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/2024/03/21/michigan-program-encourages-private-well-owners-to-prioritize-water-quality-testing