About this list
- Agency
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) - Laboratory Certification Program
- Format
- 8 PDF lists, analyte-level (chemistry, microbiological, lead and copper, out-of-state, radiological, in-state PFAS, out-of-state PFAS, Cryptosporidium)
- Homeowner flag
- Not stated per lab on the lists. Marked yes only for EGLE's own laboratory (its Drinking Water Laboratory page says "Drinking water from public water supplies and private residential wells can be tested") and for the health departments and laboratory that EGLE's Private Residential Water Well Testing page names under "Testing options: These health departments have onsite testing capabilities." EGLE's drinking water testing page tells well owners: "To locate a private laboratory in your area, visit our Laboratory Certification Program page and select the laboratory list you're most interested in."
Old list. EGLE's out-of-state, radiological, in-state PFAS, out-of-state PFAS and Cryptosporidium lists are dated 9/8/2025, more than 12 months before we fetched them on Nov 2, 2026, though EGLE's program page still links them. Labs and analytes on them may have changed since. EGLE's chemistry, microbiological and lead and copper lists (3/11/2026) are not affected.
Old list · certified as ofSOM Certified Labs - Chemistry 3/11/2026 (chemistry, microbiological, lead and copper lists); 9/8/2025 (radiological, in-state PFAS lists)
EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Chemistry + EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Microbiological + EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Lead and Copper + EGLE - Certified Radiological Laboratories + EGLE - In-State Certified PFAS Laboratories. Fetched 2026-11-15 (UTC).
Official sourceTesting your well in Michigan
How often to test
- Michigan EGLE's drinking water lab lists times people may want to test their water, especially from a private well: when they notice an unusual color, odor or appearance, when a new well is installed, and during routine maintenance of an old well or well pump. [1]
Free testing
We found no statewide free testing program in Michigan. Ask your county health department whether it runs one.
Testing programs and help
- EGLE says to contact your local health department for a recommendation on what to test for, since recommendations may differ by area, household and your own concerns. EGLE lists coliforms, nitrites and some metals (like arsenic and lead) as standard concerns for private wells, and notes that U.S. EPA recommends testing all private wells at a minimum for coliform bacteria and nitrate/nitrite. [1]
- The EGLE lab does not interpret test results. For questions about your water quality, EGLE refers you to your local health department; for private wells it also points to the Be Well Informed online tool. [1]
Buying or selling a home
- EGLE's drinking water lab lists selling a home and buying a home among the times people may want to have their water tested. [1]
State lab and rules
- Michigan EGLE's Drinking Water Laboratory in Lansing tests drinking water for residents as well as public water supplies and businesses. Tests include total coliform and E. coli bacteria, nitrate and nitrite, metals such as lead, copper and arsenic, and organic chemicals such as PFAS and VOCs. [1]
- You order test kits (with sample bottles) by calling the lab's customer service line, then have them shipped or pick them up by appointment; allow 3 to 5 business days plus shipping. Samples collected in EGLE bottles must go back to the EGLE lab. The lab sends an invoice when testing is complete and does not accept pre-payment. [1]
- The EGLE lab says it does not currently offer free or reduced-cost drinking water testing, except through specifically funded programs budgeted or enacted by legislation. [1]
What testing costs at the state lab
Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory, Preview: Water Testing Fee Schedule, pricing effective Oct 1, 2026 (the lab's first fee increase since 2007)
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| Total coliform and E. coli | $23 |
| Nitrate and nitrite | $41 |
| Partial chemistry: calcium, chloride, fluoride, hardness, iron, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, sodium and sulfate | $66 (plus a $13 per-sample preparation fee) |
| Partial metals: arsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc | $81 (plus a $13 per-sample preparation fee) |
| Complete metals: 15 metals, incl. arsenic, copper, lead, manganese and mercury | $136 (plus a $13 per-sample preparation fee) |
| Arsenic (single metal) | $15 (plus a $13 per-sample preparation fee) |
| Lead (single metal) | $15 (plus a $13 per-sample preparation fee) |
| PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) | $320 |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | $147 |
Prices as published when we checked on 3 Nov 2026. Private certified labs set their own prices.
Show the numbers
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 9 counties | |
| Zone 2 | 32 counties | |
| Zone 3 | 42 counties |
Radon in indoor air, not in water. EPA: Zone 1 = highest potential (average indoor radon may be above 4 pCi/L); Zone 2 = 2 to 4; Zone 3 = below 2. EPA says the map should not be used to decide whether an individual home needs testing. Source: U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001, spreadsheet Sep 2025), accessed 2026-11-01.
Sources
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), FAQ: Drinking water testing at the EGLE lab
- Michigan EGLE, Laboratory Services Section, Preview: Water Testing Fee Schedule (effective Oct 1, 2026)
- U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001, spreadsheet Sep 2025)
Loan test (FHA, VA, USDA) in Michigan
- VA. Test results are valid for 90 days from the date the local health authority certifies them, unless the local authority says otherwise. VA’s chapter names no list of contaminants: the water must meet the local health authority’s requirements, or EPA guidelines where it has none. Your lender may ask for specific tests.
- FHA. A well test is required in the situations FHA’s handbook lists, among others, and the report may not be more than 180 days old at disbursement.
- USDA. Guaranteed loans need a water quality test for a private well, done by the local health authority or a state-certified lab, and no more than 180 days old at closing.
Here:
- 2 labs on the Michigan list print a loan or home-sale package price on their own site: see the price table.
Lenders can ask for more (extra tests, a particular lab, who takes the sample): ask your lender before you book. Federal rules as read on Nov 3, 2026 source 1 source 2 source 3. Full comparison: VA, FHA and USDA well water test requirements. Loan test kits sold by mail, with price and days to results: kits compared.
What Michigan labs say on their own websites
State lists say what a lab is certified for, not whether it takes your sample or what it costs. We read each lab’s own site; a second reader re-checked every fact below. 27 labs on this list are on our register so far; 16 say they take homeowner samples and 9 print a price.
| Lab | Bacteria (coliform / E. coli) | Nitrate | Arsenic | Lead | Basic well panel | Home sale / loan package | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Test Laboratories White Lake, MI · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | Bacteria Test Price $30.00 source | Nitrate/Nitrites Test Price $40.00 source | Arsenic Test Price $45.00 source | Lead Test Price $45.00 source | Basic Test Package Price $70.00 source | – | TURNAROUND TIME 2 Business days |
| Enviro Lab Services, Inc Oscoda, MI · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | E. Coli/Coliform (Presence/Absence) $45 source | Nitrate/Nitrites $40 source | Arsenic $25 source | Lead $40 source | Real Estate Transaction Required Testing $62 source Baseline Homeowner Monitoring $112 source | VA Loan - Real Estate Transaction Required Testing $100 source | Results in 5 - 10 business days From date of delivery |
| LMAS Regional Laboratory Newberry, MI · You collect it, or lab staff can | LMAS Regional Laboratory: Bacteriological — $30 source | Nitrates — $30 source | Arsenic — $20 source | White Water Associates: Lead/Copper — $35 source | – | – | – |
| Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency Gaylord, MI · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | Bacteriological (Coliform, E-coli) Sampling ... Test Code B / Fee: $27.00 source | – | – | – | Partial Chemical Sampling ... Test Code C / Fee: $27.00 source | – | – |
| Paragon Laboratories, Inc. Livonia, MI · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | Total Coliform and E. coli, Presence/Absence (P/A) Colilert-18 , Colilert , Colisure $41.00 source | – | Arsenic EPA 200.8 $19.00 source | Lead and Copper (First Draw Compliance Sample, 1st Liter - 1L Sample) [ Sampling Instructions ] EPA 200.8 $38.00 source | Well Water Test Package $99.00 Total Coliform and E. coli, Presence/Absence (P/A) ... Lead & Arsenic ... Nitrate & Nitrite source | – | – |
| Prein & Newhof Grand Rapids, MI · You collect it, or lab staff can | Coliform (E-Coli) – Presence/Absence ... $20 source | Nitrate and Nitrite ... $25 source | Arsenic ... $25 source | Lead – First Draw or Flushed ... $25 source | Partial Chemistry Test ... $50 source | – | Fast Turnaround – Five-business-day processing with expedited services available. |
| SOS Analytical, Inc. Traverse City, MI · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | COLIFORM/E.COLI BACTERIA $35.00 source | NITRATE $30.00 source | ARSENIC $25.00 source | LEAD $25.00 source | PARTIAL CHEMISTRY $135.00 (discounted price) source | – | The standard turnaround time is 5-10 business days unless otherwise noted. Turnaround time for bacteria, nitrate and lead in drinking water is 3-5 working days. |
| Saginaw County Health Department Laboratory Saginaw, MI · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | – | Nitrate and Nitrate Only $25 source | – | – | – | – | – |
| White Water Associates, Inc. Amasa, MI · You collect the sample with the lab's bottles | COLIFORM TEST KIT $30.00 source | NITRATE TEST KIT $35.00 source | – | LEAD & COPPER TEST KIT $45.00 source | NITRATE & COLIFORM KIT $60.00 source HOME ANNUAL WELL TEST KIT $95.00 source | REAL ESTATE TEST KIT $110.00 source | Standard Turnaround time is a minimum of 10 business days, and seasonal load may delay results. |
Say they take homeowner samples: Aqua Test Laboratories, Biosan, Enviro Lab Services, Inc, Garrett Laboratories, Inc., Grand Traverse Analytical, LLC, LMAS Regional Laboratory, Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency, OML Analytical, Oakland Co. Health Division Laboratory, Paragon Laboratories, Inc., Prein & Newhof, SGS- Livonia (formerly RTI), SOS Analytical, Inc., Saginaw County Health Department Laboratory, Water Tech, White Water Associates, Inc..
Prices exactly as each lab prints them, read 14 Nov 2026 to 15 Nov 2026; re-checked every 90 days. Labs not shown have not been read yet or print nothing for homeowners. Confirm price and turnaround with the lab.
Labs by contaminant
Labs on the Michigan list for one test, with homeowner-accepting labs first.
Well water by county
Private-well population (USGS, 2015), arsenic estimate, radon zone and nearby labs for each county with at least 1,000 people on private wells, largest first.
Oakland County217,662 on wellsKent County137,873 on wellsLivingston County133,759 on wellsGenesee County124,046 on wellsAllegan County81,508 on wellsOttawa County74,986 on wellsJackson County73,726 on wellsLapeer County68,526 on wellsWashtenaw County66,798 on wellsClinton County63,405 on wellsMuskegon County61,885 on wellsCalhoun County57,195 on wellsEaton County54,796 on wellsGrand Traverse County50,173 on wellsKalamazoo County49,901 on wellsLenawee County48,809 on wellsVan Buren County48,682 on wellsBerrien County45,599 on wellsMontcalm County44,032 on wellsBarry County43,355 on wellsMacomb County41,876 on wellsCass County38,815 on wellsTuscola County38,779 on wellsNewaygo County37,902 on wellsShiawassee County36,809 on wellsIonia County35,528 on wellsSt. Clair County35,149 on wellsHillsdale County31,663 on wellsMecosta County31,034 on wellsSt. Joseph County29,977 on wellsIsabella County29,019 on wellsMonroe County27,777 on wellsClare County25,527 on wellsBranch County24,804 on wellsSanilac County22,332 on wellsRoscommon County21,970 on wellsMidland County21,081 on wellsOceana County20,966 on wellsGladwin County20,448 on wellsOtsego County19,948 on wellsMarquette County19,926 on wellsGratiot County19,685 on wellsWexford County19,381 on wellsSaginaw County19,328 on wellsCheboygan County19,119 on wellsOgemaw County18,130 on wellsOsceola County17,813 on wellsMason County17,676 on wellsDelta County17,252 on wellsLeelanau County17,008 on wellsKalkaska County15,212 on wellsHuron County15,056 on wellsChippewa County14,611 on wellsManistee County14,266 on wellsAntrim County13,960 on wellsEmmet County13,831 on wellsBenzie County13,693 on wellsMissaukee County13,324 on wellsAlpena County13,008 on wellsMenominee County12,703 on wellsCrawford County11,707 on wellsCharlevoix County10,932 on wellsIosco County10,765 on wellsLake County10,229 on wellsAlcona County9,748 on wellsMontmorency County8,182 on wellsPresque Isle County7,946 on wellsHoughton County7,508 on wellsMackinac County7,421 on wellsOscoda County7,369 on wellsArenac County6,716 on wellsBay County5,196 on wellsIngham County5,089 on wellsAlger County4,984 on wellsDickinson County4,829 on wellsBaraga County4,035 on wellsSchoolcraft County3,999 on wellsLuce County2,964 on wellsOntonagon County1,937 on wellsKeweenaw County1,770 on wells