Overview
Roughly 30% of Michigan residents rely on private residential wells (MDHHS). About 1 million Michigan homes use private wells for their drinking water supply.
Private wells are generally needed whenever a home is outside a municipal water service area. If public water is available within a short extension distance, local codes may require using the public system instead of drilling a new well. Always check with your local health department (LHD) first.
💰 Well Drilling Costs in Michigan
A complete private well system in Michigan typically costs $3,000–$15,000+, depending on depth, geology, and equipment choices.
⏱️ Timeline: From Decision to Drinking Water
Expect 4–8 weeks from your first call to potable water. Permitting review is often the longest step.
Note: Drilling itself is quick – most drilling takes 1–3 days, with pump hookup about a day (HB Well Drilling). Permit review can take 2–6 weeks depending on county.
Permits & Process
Step-by-Step Process
- Preliminary Check: Contact your local health department. They will explain local requirements and issue the well construction permit (EGLE). You (or your driller) prepare a site plan showing the proposed well location and distances to contamination sources.
- Submit Application: File a well permit application with the LHD, often together with septic approval if needed. Some counties require joint submission (Livingston County). Include site plan, fee, and papers (survey, deed).
- Permit Issued: Once the LHD is satisfied, they issue the well permit (often valid 1 year). For example, Oakland County typically takes ~3–5 site visits as part of permitting (Lake Magazine).
- Hire Licensed Contractor: Hire a state-registered well driller. By law, drillers must register annually with EGLE (per Part 127) (EGLE). Many drillers will handle permit paperwork for you.
- Drilling & Installation: The driller drills the well, installs casing, well screen, pump, and pressure tank, and grout seals. The driller disinfects the well (usually chlorination) after completion.
- Post-Construction Testing: After installation, collect water samples via a certified laboratory. Required tests include total coliform/E. coli, nitrate, and nitrite (Wayne County). Submit results to LHD as part of final approval.
- Final Inspection & Approval: The LHD will inspect the completed well and sign off on the permit. Once approved, you may connect plumbing and begin using well water.
Who Does What?
Driller Handles:
- Licensing requirements
- Permit application (often)
- Drilling & casing per code
- Initial disinfection
- Filing well logs to EGLE
🏠 Homeowner Handles:
- Contact LHD for permit
- Payment
- Lab testing coordination
- Above-ground plumbing
- Record keeping
Water Quality
Required Testing
- At Construction: Test for total coliform, E. coli, nitrate, and nitrite before using well water. Results must meet health criteria (e.g. no E. coli, nitrate ≤10 ppm).
- Ongoing Testing: MDHHS advises testing annually for coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate, and nitrite (MDHHS). Test arsenic, lead, copper every 3–5 years, or after system changes.
Common Michigan Water Quality Issues
⚠️ Arsenic
Michigan naturally has high arsenic in groundwater (EGLE). Hotspots include the Thumb region (Huron/Tuscola) and southeast Michigan (Oakland, Washtenaw, Ingham). Private wells often exceed 10 ppb. Test annually in these areas.
⚠️ Nitrates
Nitrate pollution from fertilizers is common in agricultural areas. Many farm country wells in southern and western Michigan show elevated nitrates. Wells near livestock or septic fields are especially at risk.
💧 Iron/Hardness
Iron or manganese (causing rust-colored water) and very hard water are widespread in Michigan's glacial aquifers. EGLE marks >0.3 mg/L iron as objectionable (EGLE). Softeners are common solutions.
Treatment Options
- Iron/Manganese: Oxidizing filters, aeration systems, or water softeners
- Hardness: Standard water softeners (ion exchange)
- Arsenic/Nitrate: Reverse osmosis or specialized ion-exchange media
- Bacteria: Shock-chlorinate well; consider UV disinfection system
- Sulfur (H₂S): Aeration or catalytic carbon filters
- PFAS: Granular activated carbon or high-rejection RO (call MDHHS PFAS hotline 800-648-6942)
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Annual Maintenance Checklist
- ☐Test water for bacteria and nitrates annually (MDHHS)
- ☐Inspect wellhead (≥12" above ground, sealed cap)
- ☐Check tank pressure (40-60 psi typical)
- ☐Keep area around well clear and sloped to drain (Lake Magazine)
- ☐Sanitize well after repairs, flooding, or bacteria detection
Warning Signs of Well Problems
- Cloudy water or sudden taste/odor changes
- Loss of pressure or sputtering faucets
- Pump frequently cycling on/off (short-cycling)
- New rust or brown staining on fixtures
- Continuous pump running when faucets are off
"Even if the water looks and tastes ok, test to confirm no contaminants" (MDHHS). A rotten-egg odor or unexplained sickness are signs to retest immediately (Lake Magazine).
Find a Licensed Driller
Michigan law requires a state-registered well driller for all well drilling work (EGLE).
Search Licensed Drillers in Michigan
Find Drillers Near You →How to Verify a Driller
- Ask for their EGLE registration number
- Verify registration by contacting EGLE (517-898-3584) or checking the EGLE registry
- Get 2-3 written quotes
- Ask for references from recent jobs
- Confirm they carry proper insurance
Resources & Contacts
Find Your Local Health Department
Contact your county or district health department for permits and inspections. Each Michigan county has an Environmental Health Division. Use the Michigan LHD directory to find your local health department.
Certified Testing Labs
Only laboratories certified by Michigan's Drinking Water Program should analyze well samples:
- EGLE Drinking Water Lab (Lansing) – 517-335-8184 (MDHHS)
- Merit Laboratories (East Lansing) – 517-332-0167 (MDHHS)
- Paragon Laboratories (Livonia) – 734-462-3900 (MDHHS)
- Check EGLE's certified lab list for more options
Key Regulatory References
- Part 127 of the Michigan Public Health Code (Act 368, 1978) – Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Code
- Michigan Administrative Code R 325.1601–1781 – Well construction rules
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 Sources & References
Show All Sources (56 References)
- Michigan has over one million private wells – MDHHS
- FAQ: Private Well Owners – EGLE
- FAQs - Hecksel Bros. Well Drilling
- Residential Water Wells - Livingston County
- Private residential water wells – Lake Magazine
- Water well contractor registration – EGLE
- Water/Well Permits - Wayne County
- Drinking Water Testing – MDHHS
- Water Quality Maps – EGLE
- Michigan's arsenic problem – Michigan Public Radio
- Additional references available in research documentation
Are You a Licensed Driller?
Check out our compliance reference for Michigan drilling regulations, forms, and requirements.
Michigan Driller Compliance Guide →