Michigan county well guide

Well Water in Gogebic County, MI: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 66 households in Gogebic County, 1% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
1%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Gogebic County1%
Michigan average26%
4licensed contractors serve the county
10 mito the nearest certified lab, Iron County Health Department
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

Most of Gogebic County is on public water, but an estimated 66 households still rely on a private well. This page covers the rules, labs and licensed contractors that serve them.

Local rules for wells in Gogebic County

Michigan’s well construction code applies in Gogebic County, which means a permit from the local health department, an inspection, and a bacteria sample before use. Selling a home with a well may trigger a county point-of-sale program; the health department can confirm.

At a glance

Water test for a new wellRequired

Michigan requires new wells to be tested at installation under the well construction code (Part 127 of the Public Health Code). Local health departments issue the permit and require the sample.

Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide

No statewide requirement, but several counties run time-of-sale or point-of-sale well and septic evaluation programs. Check the county page.

What the state recommends

EGLE recommends testing for coliform bacteria, nitrate and nitrite, fluoride, chloride, sulfate, sodium, hardness, and metals including arsenic, lead, iron, manganese, copper, uranium and others. Bacteria and nitrate yearly; a full chemistry panel every few years or when water changes.

Free or low-cost testingAvailable

Eight county health departments run their own onsite labs (Washtenaw, Oakland, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Luce, Mackinac, Alger, Schoolcraft). Residents elsewhere can order a mail-in test through the EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory.

Getting your water tested near Gogebic County

No state-certified lab sits within 40 miles of the center of Gogebic County. That is common in rural Michigan, and the practical answer is a mail-in kit: the lab ships bottles, you sample at the kitchen tap and ship them back cold. The finder below widens the search to the whole state.

No listings yet for this area. Try widening your search.

Licensed well contractors serving Gogebic County

No licensed contractor lists Gogebic County as a home base or service area yet. The finder below searches the whole state; most drillers travel several counties for a job.

Well depth and water chemistry

What comes up with the water depends on the aquifer. A first full panel tells you which of them apply to your well.

Typical well depth

Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.

Contaminants to test for
  • Arsenic (southeast and thumb region)
  • Nitrate (agricultural areas)
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Hardness
  • Coliform bacteria
  • PFAS near known sites

Neighboring counties: Ontonagon County, Iron County, Baraga County, Houghton County.

What well work costs in Gogebic County

Basic bacteria and nitrate test$25 to $75lab fee, homeowner sample
Full panel lab test$150 to $400metals, VOCs, radiologicals
Well inspection$250 to $550flow, pressure, visual, water test
Submersible pump replacement$1,200 to $4,500parts and labor
Pressure tank replacement$400 to $1,200installed
Whole-house treatment system$800 to $6,000softener, iron filter, UV, RO
New well drilled$5,500 to $25,000about $25 to $65 per foot
Shock chlorination$80 to $300or about $20 as a DIY job

National ranges from published 2025 to 2026 contractor pricing. Local quotes vary with depth, access and materials.

Questions Gogebic County well owners ask

How many homes in Gogebic County are on a well?

About 66, or 1% of households, based on Census housing data and state well surveys. The share is highest outside the towns with public water.

Where is the closest certified lab to Gogebic County?

There is no certified lab within 40 miles. Use a mail-in kit from a Michigan certified lab, or the county health department if it collects samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Gogebic County?

Yes. The local health department issues the permit and inspects the well under the Michigan well construction code.

What does a well test cost near Gogebic County?

A bacteria and nitrate test runs $25 to $75 at most certified labs; a full panel with metals is $150 to $400. Mail-in kits cost about the same as walking in.