Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced a special program to help Michigan families know the quality of their well water, using $5 million to provide free well water testing for state residents.
EGLE and local health departments (LHD) are working together to ensure that safe drinking water is a priority for Michigan families.
Last year, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $5 million to provide free well water testing for Michigan residents who rely on a household or private well for their drinking water.
Most wells get checked when they are first built; however, EGLE and the local health departments recognize that water wells should be checked more frequently as water quality may change over time. This testing can determine if there have been any water quality changes to a well that could be harmful to those who drink and use that well water.
Many different substances may be found in well water that could be harmful and may cause illness, including bacteria; nitrates; and some metals, such as arsenic. Residents who test through this free program will have the assistance of the LHD to help determine next steps if test results show a problem with their well water quality.
Residents with a private well that are interested in free testing should first talk to their local health departments, who can share any special information about the local water. Then, interested residents can fill fill a sample kit request form at michigan.gov/EGLEPrivateWells.
In the form, residents can add information to ask for a water test. They will also learn more about how to collect a water sample to send to the laboratory.
The local health department can help testing residents understand their results and guide them on next steps, if necessary.
