Well water testing in Eaton County, MI
Eaton County well owners get a state lab sample kit at the Barry-Eaton health department, 1033 Health Care Dr. in Charlotte. The state lab in Lansing tests: bacteria $23, nitrate and nitrite $41. Take it there or ship it overnight, Monday to Wednesday.
- Bacteria test
- $23
- Sample
- You take the sample
Checked Nov 7, 2026 · All 7 sources
Where to get your well tested
Barry-Eaton District Health Department (Eaton County office)
For: Residents of Barry and Eaton counties
Checked Nov 7, 2026 on barryeatonhealth.org
No prices published. Call for the current fees.
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Pick up a sample kit at the health department office in Charlotte. The kit comes from the state lab. It has a bacteria bottle, a nitrate bottle, a lab slip and instructions. Call ahead to check bottle pickup hours. The office is open 8am to 4:30pm.
- Barry-Eaton District Health Department, 1033 Health Care Dr., Charlotte
- Returning the sample
- Take the sample to the state lab in Lansing or ship it overnight, the same day you take it. See the state lab listing below for days, hours and the sample limit.
- Time limit
- Bacteria samples must reach the state lab within 24 hours of when you take them.
- By mail
- Yes, samples can be mailed.
- Good to know
- The health department does not post its own prices for homeowner tests. The kit's tests are done and billed by the state lab.
- Address
- 1033 Health Care Dr., Charlotte, MI 48813
Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab)
Checked Nov 7, 2026 on michigan.gov
| Total coliform and E. colicoliform bacteria and E. coli | $23 |
| Sample preparation feeAdded once per sample for metals, hardness, partial chemistry and some other tests. | $13 |
| ArsenicarsenicPlus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $15 |
| UraniumuraniumPlus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $15 |
All 14 tests and prices
| Lead and copperlead and copperPlus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $30 |
| HardnesshardnessCalcium, magnesium and calculated hardness. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $30 |
| Nitrate and nitritenitrate and nitrite | $41 |
| Partial chemistryCalcium, chloride, fluoride, hardness, iron, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, sodium and sulfate. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $66 |
| Partial metalsarsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and other itemsArsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $81 |
| Complete metalsarsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and other itemsAntimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, thallium and zinc. Plus a $13 sample preparation fee per sample. | $136 |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)VOCs | $147 |
| 1,4-Dioxaneother items | $169 |
| Pesticides and aromatic compoundspesticides | $183 |
| PFASPFAS | $320 |
- Who takes the sample
- You take the sample
- Getting a bottle
- Call the lab to order a test kit. You can have it shipped to your home, or pick it up at the lab in Lansing at a time you book. Allow about a week for the order, plus shipping. Use only the lab's bottles.
- EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory, 3350 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing
- Returning the sample
- Fill out the form completely; samples with incomplete forms are rejected. Ship the sample overnight (UPS Next Day Air, USPS Priority Mail Express or FedEx Priority Overnight) on the same day you take it, Monday to Wednesday only. Or bring it to the lab in Lansing; call first to book a drop-off time. Bacteria samples are not accepted on Fridays.
- Drop-off hours
- Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4:30pm; Friday, 8am to 3pm (by appointment only; no bacteria samples on Fridays)
- Time limit
- The sample must reach the lab within 24 hours of when you take it, so ship it the same day.
- By mail
- Yes, samples can be mailed.
- Results in
- Up to 10 business days after the lab gets the sample, plus mailing time.
- How you get results
- Results are mailed, and emailed if you give an email address. A copy also goes to your county health department, which can help explain them.
- Good to know
- The lab does not explain results. Call your county health department for help with what they mean.
- Address
- 3350 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing, MI 48906
Microbiology scheduling (special bacteria tests): 517-335-9814
Free and lower-cost testing
Free well water test kits (State of Michigan, 2023)
Who qualifies: Michigan residents with a private well
Free test kits for coliform bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, metals and other common contaminants. The $5 million fund ran out within a week of opening in September 2023.
Program pageWhat the health department recommends
Test after a sudden change in taste, look or smell, after flooding, or if you think sewage or another source is within 50 feet of the well. If nitrate is a known problem in your area, or a result nears 10 mg/L, test at least once a year. The state recommends bacteria and nitrate every year.
This is the county or state health agency's own advice, not ours.
Rules that apply
- In Michigan, a new well must be tested when it is first put in. After that, testing is up to the well owner.
- In Eaton County, a new well must be tested for coliform bacteria and a partial chemical panel (nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, hardness, fluoride, sodium, chloride and iron) before final approval.
Eaton County is served by the Barry-Eaton District Health Department. If you have city water, ask your city, village or township for its results.
Well testing in Eaton County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Eaton County?
Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab) charges $23 for "Total coliform and E. coli". Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Nov 7, 2026.
Who tests well water in Eaton County?
Eaton County does not run its own well water testing. Residents can use Barry-Eaton District Health Department (Eaton County office), Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab).
How do I get a sample bottle in Eaton County?
Pick up a sample kit at the health department office in Charlotte. The kit comes from the state lab. It has a bacteria bottle, a nitrate bottle, a lab slip and instructions. Call ahead to check bottle pickup hours. The office is open 8am to 4:30pm.
How quickly does the sample need to reach the lab?
Bacteria samples must reach the state lab within 24 hours of when you take them.
Where this comes from
We read these 7 pages on Nov 7, 2026. Fees and hours change, so call before you take a sample.
- Site drinking water wellsbarryeatonhealth.org · Web page
- Homeowners Guide to Water Samplingbarryeatonhealth.org · PDF
- Contact usbarryeatonhealth.org · Web page
- EGLE Sampling Feesbarryeatonhealth.org · PDF
Show 3 more
- Water Testing Fee Schedulemichigan.gov · PDF
- Private well testingmichigan.gov · Web page
- Drinking watermichigan.gov · Web page
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