Questions About Water Quality

As a private well owner, you are responsible for the maintenance of your well and the monitoring of your water quality.  It is recommended that you sample your well for coliform bacteria and a partial chemical scan each year.  The water sample bottles are available at the Environmental Health (EH) Division office or at some township offices.

• Understanding your bacteriological and partial chemical water sample results

State of Michigan regulations require a bacteriological sample be collected from new or reconditioned water supply systems before they can be put into service.  All traces of chlorine must be flushed out of the system before sampling.  Organisms of the coliform group shall not be present in the sample.

Tests for contaminants such as gasoline or fuel oil are non-routine and are not conducted in the partial chemical scan.  If you suspect that your well may  be contaminated with a chemical, fuel product, or other substance, please contact:

Last UPdate:  03 February, 2005