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Care for MiWell

Diagram of a private residential well. Shows a single family home connected to a private drinking water well.

Care for MiWell

Do you have private residential well water?

Michigan has over one million private residential wells. These wells serve over 2.6 million people statewide. That is nearly 30% of Michigan residents!

  • A private residential well supplies water to a single-family home.
  • Water is pumped from groundwater using a water well.

If you have a private well, there are things that you should do to monitor your well system and your drinking water to protect your family's health.

   

How does the water get to your home through a private residential well? Video

How does the water get to your home through a private residential well?

Learn more in this MiEnviroMinute video.

Well Assessed

Take a look at your private residential well today. Click here to read the Well Assessed Project flyer to learn about how you can complete a quick, 10-minute step-by-step well inspection and let us know what you see.

  • The Michigan Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Code helps protect the health of Michigan well owners. Understanding well construction helps determine any required well maintenance.

    Most wells in Michigan are drilled wells. Drilled wells are constructed using plastic or steel casing to keep soil and contaminants out. These wells are drilled deep enough to prevent surface water contamination.  

    Planning on installing a new private residential well?

    Work with your local health department to learn about well construction applications, permits and inspections.

    Private Residential Well Parts

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a private residential well diagram showing the parts of a well system. The basic parts are:

    • Well Casings are pipes that stretch from the surface down to the groundwater. This prevents some contaminants from getting into drinking water. Well casing in Michigan must comply with the well construction code.
    • Well Caps are on the top of the well casing to prevent insects, dirt, or vegetation from entering the top of the well. Well caps in Michigan must be on the approved list of components.
    • Well Screens are installed at the bottom of certain well casings to help prevent sediment like sand and gravel from getting into the well.
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  • Most contaminants in water have no taste, color, or smell. The only way you might know if you have a problem is to test your drinking water. If you have a private residential well, testing is your responsibility.

    If you are a private residential well owner, it is important to understand what contaminants may be in the groundwater that you use for drinking water. Both natural and human-made contaminants can sometimes be found in groundwater. When you know what contaminants may be in groundwater and where they can be in our environment, you can help protect your drinking water and health. To learn more about how water is contaminated, visit the drinking water contamination page.

                                                                               

    Thumbnail image of the "Protect against the unknown - test your drinking water from your well" fact sheet

                                                                                     

    Consider testing your drinking water if you live near a potential PFAS source. 

    If you live near a potential source or if you are unsure, consider testing your drinking water as a precaution. Call the MDHHS at 800-648-6942 to see if your home is in an area that is under investigation for PFAS. We may be able to test your water for free. 

    If we cannot test your water for free, contact a certified drinking water lab about PFAS testing and the test cost. They can help you get sample bottles and provide instructions on how to collect your water sample yourself. Visit http://bit.ly/PFASLabTesting for a list of labs that offer PFAS testing. 

    It is important to follow the instructions provided for accurate results. To read more on home testing guidance for PFAS, visit http://bit.ly/PFASHomeSampling.

    For more information take a look at the PFAS in Drinking Water for private residential Well Owners Fact Sheet.

  • Video

    More than 1.3 million homes and businesses in Michigan depend on septic systems to treat wastewater. Do you have a septic system? Understanding proper septic system care and how to maintain your septic is important.

    Septic System Replacement Loan Program

    Throughout Michigan, failing septic systems are often identified as a potential source of pollution that contributes to both public health and environmental concerns. One of the barriers preventing the replacement of septic systems and installation of systems is lack of funding options available to homeowners.

    If you are interested in more information on the Septic Replacement Loan Program (SRLP), visit the SRLP website.

    For more information visit:

    SepticSmart

    Septic Systems and Drinking Water

To stay up to date with current resources and opportunities being offered through the program, subscribe to the Drinking Water and Health newsletter.

If you have questions, please contact MDHHS at 800-648-6942.