Oakland County, MI well water testing: county lab and state lab prices
Short answer: Pick up sample bottles at an Oakland County Health Division office in Pontiac (248-858-1312) or Southfield (248-424-7000); its certified lab tests for bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, lead and copper. Or order a kit from Michigan EGLE's lab at 517-335-8184, where a coliform and E. coli test costs $23. Test yearly for bacteria and nitrate.
A 2004 U.S. Geological Survey fact sheet, produced in cooperation with Oakland County, estimated that about 233,000 county residents use private wells for household drinking water, and that over 95 percent of wells in the county draw from the shallow glacial aquifer. [source] USGS's 2015 county estimate put the self-supplied population at about 218,000. [source]
The Oakland County Health Division says private wells aren't tested regularly for contaminants and that testing is the well owner's responsibility. [source]
Oakland County Health Division lab
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| What the lab tests | The Health Division Laboratory is certified for drinking water analysis of coliform bacteria; partial chemistry (nitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride and sulfate); lead and copper; and arsenic. [source] |
| Where to get bottles | Bottles, forms and instructions are at the Health Division offices: North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34E, Pontiac, MI 48341, 248-858-1312; and South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield, MI 48076, 248-424-7000. Bottles for lead, copper and arsenic tests can be bought at Health Division offices. [source] |
| Questions | Environmental Health Services, 248-858-1312. The county also asks you to call a Public Health Sanitarian at that number if you think nearby contamination sources could affect your well. [source] [source] |
Michigan EGLE state lab prices (effective October 1, 2026)
| Test | Fee |
|---|---|
| Total coliform and E. coli | $23 |
| Nitrate and nitrite | $41 |
| Arsenic or lead (each) | $15 + $13 sample preparation |
| Partial metals (arsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc) | $81 + $13 sample preparation |
| Partial chemistry (calcium, chloride, fluoride, hardness, iron, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, sodium and sulfate) | $66 + $13 sample preparation |
| Volatile organic compounds | $147 |
| PFAS | $320 |
EGLE adds a $13 sample preparation fee per sample to metals and some grouped tests. Its fees rose on October 1, 2026, the first increase since 2007. [source] [source]
How to use the EGLE lab
- Order: call 517-335-8184 for a kit. EGLE ships it or you can pick it up by appointment; allow 5–7 business days to process the order, plus shipping. [source]
- Return: get samples and forms to the lab within 24 hours of collection. Drop off in person at 3350 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing (schedule first at 517-335-8184), or ship overnight Monday–Wednesday. Coliform and E. coli samples aren't accepted on Fridays. [source]
- Results: allow up to 10 business days. EGLE also sends results to the local health department for the county where the sample was collected, and says to call your local health department to interpret them. [source]
What and how often to test
The Oakland County Health Division recommends sampling a private well every year for bacteria, nitrate and nitrite, and every few years for arsenic. [source] Statewide, MDHHS also recommends testing for PFAS at least once; see our Michigan guide. [source]
Reading your results
| Contaminant | Standard in the county handout (mg/L) |
|---|---|
| Coliform bacteria | Not detected |
| Nitrate | 10 |
| Nitrite | 1.0 |
| Arsenic | 0.01 |
| Lead (action level) | 0.012 |
| Copper (action level) | 1.3 |
| Fluoride | 4.0 |
| Chloride; sulfate (secondary, non-enforceable) | 250 each |
Source: Oakland County Interpretation of Drinking Water Sample Results. [source] If a lab finds coliform, the county says the sample is then tested for E. coli, which indicates contamination by human or animal waste. [source]
If coliform is found
Until the problem is fixed or a sample shows no coliform, the county says to use another water source, such as bottled water, for drinking, cooking, baby formula, brushing teeth and anything else you might swallow. If that isn't possible, bring the water to a full rolling boil for one minute. Resample before making any physical changes to the water system; if a second sample also finds coliform, contact a licensed well contractor to evaluate, repair and sanitize the well and plumbing. [source] See our coliform guide.
Nitrate and arsenic
Nitrate: the county says results above 10 mg/L nitrate or 1 mg/L nitrite can be dangerous to infants and pregnant women. Don't boil the water, which concentrates nitrate, and standard pitcher carbon filters don't remove it; reverse osmosis, ion exchange and distillation do. Until it's fixed, use another source for formula, cooking and drinking. [source] See our nitrate guide.
Arsenic: the county notes that Michigan has naturally higher arsenic levels in groundwater and that arsenic has no taste, smell or color. Above 10 parts per billion (0.010 mg/L), use another source for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth until treatment certified for arsenic is in place. Options include under-sink reverse osmosis, adsorptive media or distillation, whole-house treatment, or a new well after consulting the Health Division. [source]
New or replacement wells
Oakland County lists a $260 permit for a new private well on vacant land and $238 for a replacement well. Some well permit applications can be submitted online. [source]
Other certified labs
You can also use a private lab certified for the test you need; see EGLE's laboratory certification lists. [source] The county's arsenic fact sheet advises confirming the lab is certified for arsenic in drinking water before you test. [source]
See our Michigan guide and how to collect a bacteria sample.
FAQ
Where can I get my well water tested in Oakland County, Michigan?
Pick up sample bottles at an Oakland County Health Division office in Pontiac (248-858-1312) or Southfield (248-424-7000); its certified lab tests for bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, lead and copper. Or order a kit from Michigan EGLE's lab at 517-335-8184, where a coliform and E. coli test costs $23. Test yearly for bacteria and nitrate.
How much does a well water test cost in Oakland County, MI?
Michigan EGLE's state lab fee schedule, effective October 1, 2026, lists total coliform and E. coli at $23 and nitrate and nitrite at $41. The Oakland County Health Division also sells sample bottles at its Pontiac and Southfield offices; call 248-858-1312 for current county prices.
Where do I get well water test bottles in Oakland County?
The Oakland County Health Division has bottles, forms and instructions at the North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac (248-858-1312) and the South Oakland Health Center in Southfield (248-424-7000). Its lab is certified for coliform, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, lead and copper.
How often should Oakland County well owners test?
The Oakland County Health Division recommends testing every year for bacteria, nitrate and nitrite, and every few years for arsenic.
Sources
- Oakland County Health Division – Well and Water Services (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Oakland County Health Division – Coliform: What You Need to Know (fact sheet, 1/16/2026, PDF) (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Oakland County Health Division – Nitrate & Nitrite: What You Need to Know (fact sheet, 1/16/2026, PDF) (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Oakland County Health Division – Arsenic: What You Need to Know (fact sheet, 1/16/2026, PDF) (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Oakland County Health Division – Interpretation of Drinking Water Sample Results (rev. 11/6/2025, PDF) (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Michigan EGLE Laboratory – Water Testing Fee Schedule, effective October 1, 2026 (PDF) (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Michigan EGLE – Drinking Water Laboratory (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Michigan EGLE – How to get your drinking water tested (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Michigan EGLE – Laboratory certifications (accessed 2026-10-28)
- Michigan EGLE – Resources for private residential well owners (accessed 2026-10-28)
- USGS Fact Sheet 2004-3102 – Factors Affecting Ground-Water Quality in Oakland County, Michigan (produced in cooperation with Oakland County) (accessed 2026-10-28)
- USGS – Estimated Use of Water in the United States, County-Level Data for 2015 (domestic self-supplied population) (accessed 2026-10-23)
Informational only, not health, medical, legal or real-estate advice. Programs and fees change; confirm with the official source. See our disclaimer and affiliate disclosure.