Well water testing in Ottawa County, MI
Ottawa County tests well water. Bacteria is $20, partial chemistry $25, or both for $45. Pick up bottles at the Holland office on James Street, weekdays 8am to 5pm. A home with a well must get a county well evaluation before it is sold.
- Bacteria test
- $20
- Bacteria + nitrate
- $45
- Sample
- You take the sample
Where to get your well tested
Ottawa County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health
| Bacteria (coliform)coliform bacteriaSelf-service test. Price may change with the lab's current rate. | $20 |
| Bacteria and partial chemicalcoliform bacteriaSelf-service test. The chemicals in the partial chemical test are not listed. Price may change with the lab's current rate. | $45 |
| Partial chemicalSelf-service test. Price may change with the lab's current rate. | $25 |
| LeadleadSelf-service test. Price may change with the lab's current rate. | $25 |
| Real estate water supply evaluationWell evaluation done by county staff when a home is sold. $396 with a lead test. A 5-business-day rush adds $347. | $371 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Pick up test bottles at the Holland office on James Street, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can also request water testing and pay online.
- Ottawa County Department of Public Health, 12251 James St., Holland
- Returning the sample
- Call Environmental Health when you pick up your bottles to ask how and when to return the sample.
- Results in
- Within several days.
- How you get results
- Results come with advice on any fixes needed.
- Address
- 12251 James St., Holland, MI 49424
Public Health main line: 616-396-5266
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 once a year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH. Also test if there are known well problems in your area, after flooding or digging near your well, after you repair or replace any part of the well system, or if the water's taste, color or smell changes.
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.
- Since 1984, Ottawa County has required sellers to have the private well and septic system evaluated before a home changes owners. The buyer gets the report at closing. Selling without the evaluation adds $250 to the fee.
Well testing in Ottawa County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Ottawa County?
Ottawa County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health charges $20 for "Bacteria (coliform)". Self-service test. Price may change with the lab's current rate. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Oct 13, 2026.
Who tests well water in Ottawa County?
Ottawa County Department of Public Health, Environmental 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 Ottawa County?
Pick up test bottles at the Holland office on James Street, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can also request water testing and pay online.
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 (13)
- miottawa.org/health/environmental/well-water-testing/
- miottawa.org/health/environmental/fees/
- miottawa.org/health/real-estate-services/
- miottawa.org/HealthSuite/
- 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