Type 1 community public water supplies are required to test their water on a routine schedule for certain contaminants.

• If a contaminant is found in the water, those water test results will be reported in the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
• Water is tested at the water supply facility, but the water quality in your home may be different. After leaving the water supply facility, water flows through service lines and your home's plumbing where contaminants can enter the water.
• Check with your supplier or their CCR to learn about contaminant testing and results.
• If you have concerns about your water quality or want to know more about your drinking water, have your drinking water tested by a certified drinking water laboratory. See Step 2 below for information on finding a certified laboratory.

Type 3 public water supply owners are required to test the water when the well is constructed.

• Talk with your landlord, property owner or community association to find out who is responsible for the well, testing and maintenance.
• Learn about their testing schedules and results.
• If you have concerns about your water quality or want to know more about your drinking water, have your drinking water tested by a certified drinking water laboratory. See Step 2 below for information on finding a certified laboratory.

You own your water system! This comes with the responsibility of protecting your drinking water quality and the groundwater source. Private well owners are required to test the water when the well is constructed.  

• Check with your local health department to learn if there are any drinking water concerns in your area and what testing is recommended. 
• Learn about what might be in the groundwater you drink. 
• Test your drinking water on a routine schedule. Test your drinking water following the schedule recommended by MDHHS:

Contact your local health department or MDHHS to check for additional testing recommendations near you.

* MDHHS recommends you test your drinking water for PFAS at least once even if you do not live near a potential source of PFAS contamination or if you are unsure about nearby sources. If you know you live near a potential source of PFAS but have not had your drinking water tested for PFAS, call MDHHS at 800-648-6942 to see if your home is in an area that is under investigation for PFAS. MDHHS may be able to test your water for free.

** MDHHS recommends private residential well owners test for lead in drinking water every 3-5 years because groundwater can change over time. If the groundwater is corrosive, it could cause lead to leach from pipes, plumbing fixtures and solder into the drinking water. Private residential well water does not have added corrosion control like public water supplies to prevent leaching when pipes corrode and this can impact the level of lead in your drinking water. You can learn more about lead in plumbing and how to check your plumbing for lead in the Lead in Drinking Water fact sheet and How to Find Out if Lead May Be in Your Drinking Water fact sheet. If you have questions about testing your water for lead, call MDHHS at 800-648-6942.

Other times to consider testing your water:

• A household member is pregnant.
• An infant or young child is living in the house.
• Flooding has happened near your well.
• Repairs were made to the well.
• The water's taste, color or smell changes.

You cannot taste, see or smell some contaminants in water so if you are interested in testing your drinking water for more than the contaminants listed above, please call MDHHS or your local health department for guidance on which ones to test for in your local area.

If you are pregnant or have a baby in the home, consider testing your drinking water.

• Even if the water looks clean and tastes OK, you should have it tested to be sure there aren't contaminants, such as chemicals or bacteria, in the drinking water. A fetus or baby's health can be put at risk due to contaminated drinking water.
• It is important to test well water that is used for:
  • Drinking.
  • Cooking.
  • Mixing infant formula.
• To learn more, view the Pregnant Persons and Babies Brochure. If you have questions, call MDHHS at 800-648-6942.

If you have concerns about your water quality or want to know more about your drinking water, there are ways to gather information.

• If you have city/community residential water, learn about common drinking water quality concerns in these FAQs. Review your water supply’s Consumer Confidence Report or talk with your supplier so you understand the quality of water coming to your home.
• If you have shared residential well water, talk with your landlord, property owner, or community association to find out who is responsible for the well and testing. You can ask about their testing schedules and results.
• If your water comes from a private residential well, you are responsible for testing your water. You can learn more by looking at this fact sheet on testing your well..

If you still have concerns about the quality of your drinking water and want to know more, consider having your water tested by a certified laboratory.

Certified labs must meet standards for proper methods and quality control.  A few questions to ask when deciding which lab to use:

1. Does the lab analyze water samples from private, individual residences?
2. Does the lab analyze drinking water samples for the contaminant(s) you want to have tested?
3. Does the lab accept water samples statewide?
4. What is the cost?

Certified Lab Options 

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory 517-335-8184

Local Health Department

Contact your local health department to learn if they offer drinking water testing.

Certified Drinking Water Analysis Lab

Contact a Michigan certified private drinking water analysis laboratory

You can talk with your local health department or call MDHHS at 800-648-6942 if you have questions about testing.

This is very important if you want accurate results. Water samples can be easily contaminated if instructions are not followed. Water samples may require ice packs and/or overnight shipping to the lab. 

There are easy ways that you can become a Clean Water Champion at home and within your community:

• The Michigan Water Stewardship Program has highlighted easy actions we can do every day to help protect our water.
• EGLE Classroom has information for teachers, interpreters and environmental educators to use to teach kids about the importance of protecting our environment.
• Sign up to become a Michigan Clean Water Ambassador!
• Volunteer your time. Many groups host river clean ups or other stewardship events. Check with your local universities and schools, or your local watershed council for opportunities to participate!
• Contact your local leaders to learn more about stewardship opportunities within your community.
• Organize your own community event. Grab a group of friends and plan your own stewardship day.

Did you know...

A person who steps up for the environment by protecting it and using natural resources responsibly is sometimes referred to as an environmental steward.

Becoming a Clean Water Champion means that you are doing environmental stewardship.

As a state, community, and individuals, we can all help protect Michigan's groundwater. Let's work together to ensure we have safe groundwater to use for drinking!

Michigan Programs

There are some projects in place to improve water quality around our great state! These are just a few:

• Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) 
• EGLE Source Water Protection Program
• Michigan Groundwater Discharge Program 
• Michigan Water Stewardship Program 
• Michigan Ground Water Association