Well Water Testing

This service is for private drinking water wells only. Public water supplies are tested regularly. Please do not bring samples from public water supplies or non-drinking water sources. Only drinking water well samples will be tested. You do not have to use a special bottle for this screening. Any small clean jar will work—8 ounces of water is enough. Please follow the directions below to sample your well. Collect samples just before getting them to the sample drop-off. Samples must be less than 48 hours old for a valid nitrate result.

1. Fill out the Well Water Testing Information Sheet (PDF)

2. Pick a tap that supplies water that has not run through any treatment devices (water softener, carbon filter etc.). An outdoor faucet often works well.

3. Run the water for 3-5 minutes before collecting the sample. This will give the pump time to flush the water pressure tank and plumbing so you can collect a valid sample. Disconnect any hoses before collecting the sample; do not sample through a hose. Rinse the sample bottle and lid thoroughly in the water to be sampled; then fill and cap the bottle with at least 10 oz. of water that is less than 48 hours old. 

4.Label the bottle clearly with your name, the sampling date, and the well name (cottage well, Mom’s well etc.) using a waterproof pen 

5.Only one sample per well is permitted 

6. You will receive results at the event 

7. Sample testing will take approximately 15-30 minutes and during this time EMU students will be providing educational information on water quality and other environmental issues. 

Be sure to fill out the Sample Information Sheet completely and bring it with your water sample to the drop-off. We need a complete mailing address to get your results back to you. The screening is sponsored by the Washtenaw County Conservation District and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). It is paid for by funds generated from Michigan pesticide and fertilizer registration and tonnage fees. There is no fee to participate for this service.

Unrelated to this event, the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Department provides Drinking Water Testing for many more Bacteriological & Chemical tests for varying fees.