Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency
MI certified
Homeowner samples ยท Walk-in
- Coliform Bacteria
- Nitrate / Nitrite
Michigan county well guide
Well Water in Montmorency County, MI: Testing, Contractors and Rules
of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
3licensed contractors serve the county
27 mito the nearest certified lab, Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
Wells are the exception in Montmorency County: about 0 households, under 1% of the county, are on a private well. Being in the minority means less local help, so this page gathers what applies.
Local rules for wells in Montmorency County
In Montmorency County the local health department issues the well permit, inspects construction and requires a water sample before a new well goes into service, as Michigan’s well code requires. Ask the same office whether the county runs a time-of-sale evaluation program, since several Michigan counties do.
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 Montmorency County
The nearest certified lab is Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency in Gaylord, about 27 miles from the county center, and it accepts samples from homeowners. Mail-in kits fill the gap for anything it does not run.
1 certified labs within 40 miles
Licensed well contractors serving Montmorency County
Licensed help in Montmorency County includes P J Miller & Son Well Drlg and Ted May Well Drilling and 1 other. Every listing was matched to the Michigan license list; the “verify” link on each profile opens the state lookup.
3 licensed contractors
P J Miller & Son Well Drlg
Verified license
License 60-2163 Active
- Well Drilling
Ted May Well Drilling
Verified license
License 60-2357 Active
- Well Drilling
Twin Lakes Well Drilling, Llc
Verified license
License 60-1809 Active
- Well Drilling
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Montmorency County follow the rock underneath it. Depth varies across the county; the state well record search shows logs for nearby wells.
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: Oscoda County, Presque Isle County, Otsego County, Alpena County.
What well work costs in Montmorency 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 Montmorency County well owners ask
How many homes in Montmorency County are on a well?
About 0, 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 Montmorency County?
Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency in Gaylord, about 27 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Montmorency 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 Montmorency 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.