Update: The well water testing kits are no longer available.

MARQUETTE — Michigan residents can take advantage of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s special program to learn the quality of their well water.

EGLE and local health departments are working together to ensure that safe drinking water is a priority for Michigan families.

“Last year, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $5 million to provide free well water testing for Michigan residents who rely on a household or private well for their drinking water,” According to an EGLE press release. “Water from private wells may sometimes not be safe to drink. EGLE and the LHDs want to help families know if their water is safe to drink, and this free well water testing will help get them that answer.”

Many substances may be found in well water that could be harmful and cause illness including bacteria and some metals such as arsenic. Residents who test through the free program will have assistance from LHD to determine the next steps if test results show a problem with their well water quality.

Owners of a private well who wish to know if their water is safe to drink can talk with their LHD about the water in their area and go to EGLE’s website to ask for a water test and learn about how to collect a water sample to be sent to the laboratory.

For more information, visit michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/drinking-water-and-environmental-health/water-well-construction/private-well-testing.