White Water Associates, Inc.
MI certified
- Arsenic
- Coliform Bacteria
- Full Homeowner Panel
- Iron and Manganese
- Lead
- Nitrate / Nitrite
- Uranium
Michigan county well guide
Well Water in Iron County, MI: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 20 households in Iron County, 0% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.
of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
0licensed contractors serve the county
10 mito the nearest certified lab, White Water Associates, Inc.
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
Most of Iron County is on public water, but an estimated 20 households still rely on a private well. This page covers the rules, labs and licensed contractors that serve them.
Local rules for wells in Iron County
Michigan’s well construction code applies in Iron 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 Iron County
1 certified lab within 40 miles serve Iron County, starting with White Water Associates, Inc. in Amasa (in the county). Each card below shows whether the lab takes homeowner samples and which tests it is certified for.
1 certified labs within 40 miles
Licensed well contractors serving Iron County
No licensed contractor lists Iron County as a home base or service area yet. The finder below searches the whole state; most drillers travel several counties for a job.
No listings yet for this area. Try widening your search.
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: Dickinson County, Baraga County, Ontonagon County, Marquette County.
What well work costs in Iron 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 Iron County well owners ask
How many homes in Iron County are on a well?
About 20, or 0% 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 Iron County?
White Water Associates, Inc. in Amasa, inside the county. Call first to ask whether they accept homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Iron 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 Iron 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.