Water testing in Michigan

For water testing in Michigan, you can use a lab certified by EGLE or the state's own EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory, or start with your local health department. The labs below are certified by EGLE and accept samples from homeowners.

How to get your water tested in Michigan

EGLE sets out these steps for homeowners with a private well:

1. Find out what to test for. EGLE suggests asking your local health department, because recommendations may differ based on water conditions in your area, household makeup, and your own water quality concerns^[7].
2. Get a test kit from a lab. You can order a kit from the EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory by phone, shipped to your home or picked up at the lab, or from a private lab certified by EGLE, such as those in the table above. Use the lab's own container, and return your sample to the lab you ordered your test kit from^[7].
3. Collect and submit the sample. Read all the kit's instructions first and fill in the request form completely: EGLE says samples submitted with incomplete forms will be rejected by the laboratory^[7]. Depending on the lab, you return the sample in person by appointment or by mail or courier.
4. Interpret your results. The EGLE lab does not make interpretations about your water quality or water sample test results^[7]. EGLE suggests asking your local health department about your results and any action to take.

To compare what a test costs, see well water testing cost. Public programs that test for free are on free water testing, and every lab we list, in every state we cover, is on certified water testing labs.

How certification works in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) runs the state's Laboratory Certification Program. It certifies labs to test Michigan drinking water under the state's drinking water law and the authority of the US EPA. Certification covers bacteriology, wet chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry^[1], and it includes a review of each lab's quality assurance plan and procedures and an on-site audit.

EGLE publishes the certified labs as lists by category. The table on this page shows each lab's Michigan certifications as those lists give them. "Bacteria" means the lab is certified for both total coliform and E. coli. A lab that is not on EGLE's lists is not certified by Michigan, even if it tests water.

EPA links to every state's certification program and certified-lab list. It also says it is unable to test residential or commercial drinking water upon request^[2], so a home test goes to a state-certified lab or a local program.

Private wells in Michigan

The US Geological Survey estimates that in 2015, 2.6 million Michigan residents (26% of the population)^[3] had self-supplied household water, mostly from private wells.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends testing well water for coliform bacteria and E. coli, nitrate and nitrite annually^[4], for arsenic and lead every 3–5 years^[4], and for PFAS at least once.

A new well has to be tested when it is installed. After that, EGLE says the owner is responsible^[5] for protecting the water quality. EGLE lists the standard water quality concerns for private wells as coliform bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, chloride, sulfate, sodium, hardness, and metals such as arsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and uranium.

In September 2023, Michigan started a $5 million^[6] program of no-cost test kits for private well owners. Demand used up its initial funding within a week.

Questions about water testing in Michigan

Does Michigan's state lab test private well water?

Yes. The EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory in Lansing sells test kits to the public, including a total coliform and E. coli test. You order a kit by phone and can have it shipped to your home or pick it up at the lab; EGLE asks you to allow 5–7 business days^[7] to process an order, plus shipping time. Its current prices are in the programs list on this page.

How do I check that a Michigan lab is certified?

EGLE's Laboratory Certification Program publishes its certified labs as lists by category, such as microbiological, chemistry, and lead and copper^[1] labs. The Registry column of the table on this page links to that registry for each lab.

Can my county health department test my well water?

Some can. EGLE names health departments with onsite testing for Washtenaw, Oakland, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Luce, Mackinac, Alger and Schoolcraft counties^[5], plus White Water Associates Laboratory in the western Upper Peninsula. If you live elsewhere, EGLE points you to its own laboratory.

How often should I test my well in Michigan?

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends testing for coliform bacteria and E. coli, nitrate and nitrite every year^[4], for arsenic and lead every 3–5 years^[4], and for PFAS at least once.

Is Michigan's free well test program still running?

The statewide program of no-cost test kits that began in September 2023 had over 15,000^[6] requests within one week, which quickly used up its initial funding. The programs on this page are the current options, each with its price where one is published.

Neighboring states

• Indiana
• Ohio
• Wisconsin

Private well water data for Michigan

Michigan well water data on TapWaterData (opens in a new tab)

Source: TapWaterData (EPA SDWIS / USGS models)

Sources (7)

1. Laboratory certification program (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy · Retrieved Sep 30, 2026
2. Contact Information for Certification Programs and Certified Laboratories for Drinking Water (opens in a new tab)US Environmental Protection Agency · Retrieved Sep 30, 2026
3. Estimated use of water in the United States in 2015 (Circular 1441), Table 6 (opens in a new tab)US Geological Survey · Retrieved Oct 4, 2026
4. Resources for private residential well owners (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy · Retrieved Oct 4, 2026
5. Private Residential Water Well Testing (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy · Retrieved Oct 4, 2026
6. Michigan program encourages private well owners to prioritize water quality testing (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy · Retrieved Oct 4, 2026
7. How to get your drinking water tested (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy · Retrieved Nov 7, 2026