Certified labs by state
Michigan
About 25% of Michigan residents use a private residential well, so private-well testing is a routine homeowner responsibility here. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/egle/faqs/drinking-water/private-well-owners)) Michigan also flags several location-specific groundwater concerns, including naturally higher arsenic in groundwater, higher nitrate risk in shallow wells near agricultural areas, and uranium concerns in parts of the western Upper Peninsula. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/contamination))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Certifies drinking water labs
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Laboratory Certification Program
- Official certified lab list
- Official page →
- Free or low-cost testing
- MDHHS’s Care for MiWell Sampling Project provides free drinking-water testing for randomly selected private well owners statewide, and MDHHS may also provide free PFAS testing for homes in official investigation areas. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/projects))
Official resources in Michigan
Michigan’s main resident-facing page for private well testing schedules, PFAS guidance, and how to contact a certified lab or local health department.
Official EGLE page for Michigan-certified drinking-water laboratories, including certified chemistry, microbial, radiological, lead/copper, and PFAS labs.
State private-well program page covering well construction rules, guidance, tools, and links for private residential wells.
Find the local health department that can advise on county-specific contaminants, permits, inspections, and sometimes testing options.
Interactive map showing water wells along with wellhead protection areas and sites of environmental contamination.
Key facts for Michigan
- EGLE’s Laboratory Certification Program certifies laboratories for Michigan drinking-water analysis. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/Remediation-and-Redevelopment/laboratory/certifications))
- MDHHS recommends yearly tests for coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate, and nitrite in private wells. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/test))
- MDHHS recommends testing private-well water for arsenic and lead every 3 to 5 years, and PFAS at least once. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/test))
- Michigan says arsenic levels in groundwater are naturally higher in this state. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/contamination))
- Higher nitrate in groundwater is more common in shallow wells near agricultural areas. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/contamination))
- High-uranium wells have been found in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Gogebic, and Ontonagon counties. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/contamination))
What to do next
- Start with your local health department for county-specific contaminants and testing advice before ordering panels. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/care-for-mi-drinking-water/test))
- Use sample bottles and instructions from EGLE or another Michigan-certified lab; labs generally require their own containers. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/egle/faqs/drinking-water/testing?utm_source=openai))
- If you suspect site-related contamination, check the Water Well Viewer and Michigan PFAS pages to see nearby contamination areas or investigations. ([michigan.gov](https://www.michigan.gov/egle/maps-data/waterwellviewer?utm_source=openai))
Helpful guides
- How to choose a state-certified drinking water lab
- What to test your private well water for (and how often)
- How to collect a well water sample without ruining the test
- How to read a water test report: MCLs, units and flags