Well water testing in Washtenaw County, MI
Washtenaw County tests well water. Bacteria is $15, nitrate $14 and arsenic $15. Buy bottles at 705 N Zeeb Road in Ann Arbor, then bring them back the same day by 3pm on a weekday. Wells must be tested for bacteria, nitrate and arsenic when a home is sold.
- Bacteria test
- $15
- Sample
- You take the sample
Where to get your well tested
Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division
| Total coliform (bacteria)coliform bacteriaResults in 24 hours. | $15 |
| Fecal coliformcoliform bacteriaResults in 24 hours. | $15 |
| Conductivityother itemsResults in 21 days. | $10 |
| IronironResults in 21 days. | $11 |
All 16 tests and prices
| ManganesemanganeseResults in 21 days. | $11 |
| Bariumother itemsResults in 21 days. | $11 |
| ChloridechlorideResults in 21 days. | $11 |
| FluoridefluorideResults in 21 days. | $11 |
| SodiumsodiumResults in 21 days. | $11 |
| SulfatesulfateResults in 21 days. | $11 |
| Hardness, totalhardnessResults in 21 days. | $13 |
| NitratesnitrateResults in 5 days. | $14 |
| NitritesnitriteResults in 5 days. | $14 |
| ArsenicarsenicResults in 5 days. | $15 |
| LeadleadResults in 5 days. | $15 |
| Tanninother itemsResults in 21 days. | $15 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Buy sample bottles at the Environmental Health office, 705 N Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm (closed noon to 1pm). No appointment needed. Staff will show you how to take the sample. If you can't come in, call or fax the bottle request form with card payment. Staff will call when the bottles are on the lobby pickup table (open 8am to 5pm weekdays).
- Washtenaw County Environmental Health, Western Service Center, 705 N Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor
- Returning the sample
- Bring the filled bottles back to 705 N Zeeb Road with a completed form attached to each one. Put them in the small black refrigerator in the lobby. Do not use the outdoor drop box or leave them on the lobby tables.
- Drop-off hours
- Monday to Friday, by 3pm (so the lab picks them up the same day)
- Time limit
- Fill the bottles and bring them in the same day if you can. Keep them cold after you take the sample and on the way.
- Results in
- Bacteria: 24 hours. Nitrate, nitrite, arsenic and lead: 5 days. Other chemical tests: 21 days.
- How you get results
- Results are sent by email or mail. If a result is unsafe, staff will call you.
- Address
- 705 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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 for coliform bacteria every year, and also when the water's taste, smell or look changes, it is cloudy after rain, the well top floods, the well is repaired, there is contamination near the well, or people in the home have unexplained stomach flu symptoms. Test for arsenic every year if you have an arsenic treatment unit or past tests found any arsenic. A nitrate test is a good, low-cost first step if you worry your well could be contaminated.
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.
- In Washtenaw County, all new and replacement wells, and the wells of all homes being sold, must be tested for coliform bacteria, nitrate and arsenic.
The county does not do partial chemistry (calcium, chloride, fluoride, hardness, iron, magnesium, nitrates, nitrites, sodium and sulfate). Order it from the state lab in Lansing, where it costs $79 plus shipping. Part of Scio Township and western Ann Arbor sits over a 1,4-dioxane plume; to test for it, use the state lab or a private lab.
Well testing in Washtenaw County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Washtenaw County?
Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division charges $15 for "Total coliform (bacteria)". Results in 24 hours. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Oct 13, 2026.
Who tests well water in Washtenaw County?
Washtenaw County Health Department, Environmental Health Division tests private wells for residents. You can also use Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab).
How do I get a sample bottle in Washtenaw County?
Buy sample bottles at the Environmental Health office, 705 N Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm (closed noon to 1pm). No appointment needed. Staff will show you how to take the sample. If you can't come in, call or fax the bottle request form with card payment. Staff will call when the bottles are on the lobby pickup table (open 8am to 5pm weekdays).
How quickly does the sample need to reach the lab?
Fill the bottles and bring them in the same day if you can. Keep them cold after you take the sample and on the way.
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)
- washtenaw.org/drinking-water-testing
- washtenaw.org/asset/a54fb5c1-5200-4236-aba3-9452ce6a83d9
- content.civicplus.com/api/assets/2d09b081-33db-46e5-96ab-92956fe4d460?scope=all
- washtenaw.org/2529/Testing-Your-Well-Water-for-Bacteria
- 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