Well water testing in Monroe County, MI
Monroe County Health Department's lab tests well water for coliform bacteria: $35. A sanitarian can take the sample for $80 more. Call 734-240-7900 about bottles and drop-off. For nitrate, metals and other tests, use the state lab in Lansing.
- Bacteria test
- $35
- Sample
- You or staff take the sample
Checked Nov 7, 2026 · All 8 sources
Where to get your well tested
Monroe County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (Monroe County Water Lab)
Checked Nov 7, 2026 on co.monroe.mi.us
| Bacteriological analysis, drinking water (coliform)coliform bacteriaIf coliform is found, the lab runs a second test to confirm it. | $35 |
| Staff sample collection, drinking waterA sanitarian takes the sample. The $35 test fee is separate. | $80 |
- Who takes the sample
- You or staff take the sample. Staff visit: $80
- Getting a bottle
- Get a sterile bottle from the Environmental Health Division if you plan to use the county lab. Call 734-240-7900 to ask about pickup. Use only a sterile bottle.
- Returning the sample
- Run the cold tap nearest the well, before any treatment, for about 5 minutes. Take off any faucet screen first. Fill the bottle and return it within the time the lab gives you. Keep the sample in the refrigerator, then on ice while you carry it.
- Time limit
- Return it within the time the lab tells you.
- Good to know
- The county lab tests for coliform bacteria. For nitrate, metals and other tests, use the state lab.
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
The state recommends testing your well for coliform bacteria and nitrates every year. The Michigan health department also recommends testing for nitrite every year and for arsenic every 3 to 5 years.
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 Monroe County, a sanitarian takes the water sample for a new well. The well gets final approval once a safe sample and a passing construction inspection are on file.
Well testing in Monroe County: quick answers
How much does well water testing cost in Monroe County?
Monroe County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (Monroe County Water Lab) charges $35 for "Bacteriological analysis, drinking water (coliform)". If coliform is found, the lab runs a second test to confirm it. A staff visit to take the sample costs $80. Prices are from the provider's own fee list, checked Nov 7, 2026.
Who tests well water in Monroe County?
Monroe County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (Monroe County Water Lab) tests private wells for residents. You can also use Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory (state lab).
How do I get a sample bottle in Monroe County?
Get a sterile bottle from the Environmental Health Division if you plan to use the county lab. Call 734-240-7900 to ask about pickup. Use only a sterile bottle.
How quickly does the sample need to reach the lab?
Return it within the time the lab tells you.
Where this comes from
We read these 8 pages on Nov 7, 2026. Fees and hours change, so call before you take a sample.
- Onsite Water Supplyco.monroe.mi.us · Web page
- co.monroe.mi.usWeb page
- co.monroe.mi.usWeb page
- Forms Documents Feesco.monroe.mi.us · Web page
Show 4 more
- co.monroe.mi.usPDF
- Water Testing Fee Schedulemichigan.gov · PDF
- Private well testingmichigan.gov · Web page
- Drinking watermichigan.gov · Web page
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