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Getting your well water tested in Michigan

Use a lab Michigan certifies, or a mail-in kit. Across the state, the ones worth testing for are arsenic, plus bacteria and nitrate every year.

Compare lab tests Find my county

About 3,023,000 people in Michigan get their water from a private well, about 3 in 10 residents.

Three ways to get tested, cheapest first.

2

A lab Michigan certifies

The state's list of labs certified for drinking water. Many sell bottles you pick up or get by mail, and their results count for a home sale or loan.

Labs certified by Michigan
3

A mail-in kit

Order online, fill the bottles at your kitchen tap and get results by email in about a week. Full well tests run about $210 to $220.

Compare kits for Michigan
Buying a house or drilling a new well in Michigan?

EGLE's well testing page says a private well was required to be tested when it was first installed.

Look up a well's drilling report

What turns up in Michigan wells.

Share of tested wells over the limit, from lab tests the USGS, EPA and state agencies collected since 2000. Your own well needs its own test.

Tested wells over the limit, statewide
Arsenic5%10 of 190Nitrate4%9 of 233Manganese4%8 of 220Uranium0%0 of 126Radon0%0 of 29Lead0%0 of 158Fluoride0%0 of 216
GermsTest every year, whatever the chart says
Coliform bacteria30%27 of 91
StainsNot a health risk
Iron stains63%137 of 218

Rare: under 5%Worth checking: 5 to 15%Widespread: 15%+

Lab results: Water Quality Portal (USGS and EPA)

Where it shows up most

Find your county.

4 counties have a full report with local test results and well depths.

InghamLivingstonOaklandWashtenaw
Every county in Michigan: people on wells and typical depth
CountyPeople on private wellsShare of residentsTypical well depth
Oakland County260,14620%88 ft
Genesee County176,56743%180 ft
Kent County165,70125%86 ft
Livingston County114,22759%86 ft
Ottawa County86,27129%85 ft
Kalamazoo County81,62031%84 ft
Allegan County79,77766%85 ft
Jackson County79,25449%120 ft
Muskegon County78,95545%46 ft
Washtenaw County76,93221%91 ft
Berrien County71,19546%98 ft
Calhoun County64,44148%100 ft
Lapeer County62,41070%181 ft
Van Buren County53,54471%80 ft
Grand Traverse County52,89956%108 ft
St. Clair County52,16333%104 ft
Monroe County50,51233%80 ft
Ingham County48,27217%152 ft
Eaton County47,73044%138 ft
Barry County46,92375%81 ft
Lenawee County46,54647%90 ft
Saginaw County45,89924%118 ft
Montcalm County44,56767%74 ft
Clinton County42,20753%220 ft
Macomb County41,4235%74 ft
Cass County39,97477%83 ft
Wayne County39,3512%97 ft
Shiawassee County39,30458%135 ft
Newaygo County39,20378%74 ft
Tuscola County36,35568%180 ft
Ionia County35,90754%106 ft
Midland County34,38641%97 ft
St. Joseph County33,73255%68 ft
Isabella County31,75349%85 ft
Hillsdale County30,34666%87 ft
Mecosta County29,77875%72 ft
Sanilac County25,92864%105 ft
Clare County25,00981%82 ft
Branch County24,86455%62 ft
Bay County22,74622%135 ft
Marquette County22,14234%77 ft
Wexford County21,08263%106 ft
Gladwin County20,98783%90 ft
Roscommon County20,23886%89 ft
Oceana County20,20676%68 ft
Gratiot County19,62747%110 ft
Emmet County19,26856%140 ft
Iosco County19,07676%73 ft
Huron County19,07361%140 ft
Leelanau County18,66484%105 ft
Delta County18,31650%116 ft
Cheboygan County18,09171%115 ft
Mason County18,02962%75 ft
Osceola County17,79578%97 ft
Otsego County17,54170%100 ft
Ogemaw County17,41784%77 ft
Chippewa County17,40047%105 ft
Antrim County15,99768%103 ft
Charlevoix County15,41859%104 ft
Kalkaska County14,84883%82 ft
Manistee County14,77659%91 ft
Alpena County14,09749%82 ft
Benzie County13,49875%96 ft
Menominee County13,07656%66 ft
Missaukee County13,05087%79 ft
Houghton County11,98232%127 ft
Arenac County11,47276%82 ft
Crawford County10,19078%85 ft
Lake County9,59279%68 ft
Alcona County9,45593%75 ft
Presque Isle County8,59566%130 ft
Montmorency County8,29091%77 ft
Dickinson County7,86430%108 ft
Oscoda County7,65793%106 ft
Mackinac County7,20967%98 ft
Alger County5,91467%77 ft
Schoolcraft County5,02462%92 ft
Iron County4,61240%81 ft
Gogebic County4,59632%96 ft
Ontonagon County3,88367%120 ft
Baraga County3,85247%145 ft
Luce County3,41664%82 ft
Keweenaw County1,13455%154 ft

Questions people ask about well water in Michigan

Does Michigan require private wells to be tested?

EGLE's well testing page says a private well was required to be tested when it was first installed.

Where can I get my well water tested in Michigan?

Otherwise, use a lab certified by Michigan for drinking water. The state's list is linked on this page.

Where these numbers come from

  • How many people use wells: EPA estimates from the 2020 Census.
  • Lab tests: Water Quality Portal (USGS and EPA), well samples since 2000.
  • State programs and links: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).