Michigan Private Well Water Risk: Arsenic & Nitrate
These figures are USGS statistical estimates for private (domestic) wells in Michigan. They describe the area's modeled risk — not any single well.
Quick answer: Yes — arsenic occurs naturally in Michigan groundwater. USGS modeling estimates about 192,748 Michigan residents rely on private wells with arsenic above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. The highest modeled exposure is in Tuscola County (~11,252), Clinton County (~8,229), Livingston County (~7,681). For nitrate, about 0% of Michigan's ~2,440,000 private-well residents are modeled above the 10 mg/L limit. These are area estimates, not a test of your well — arsenic has no taste or smell, so only a certified lab test tells you your level.
This is a modeled probability for the area, not a measurement of your well. USGS statistical models estimate how many private wells in this area are likely to exceed the federal limit — they cannot tell you what is in your water. Two neighbors can have very different results. The only way to know your well is to test it.
Nitrate
0%
of the private-well population is modeled above the 10 mg/L nitrate limit
~530
people on wells estimated above the limit
~2,440,000
total residents on private wells statewide
Source: USGS machine-learning nitrate model, Ransom et al. (2022), domestic-well depth zone.
Find out what's actually in your well
Michigan has one of the higher modeled arsenic exposures in the country — but that number is an area estimate, not your well. Arsenic, nitrate and coliform bacteria are the three most common private-well problems, and none of them has a taste or smell. A certified lab test checks all of them at once; the CDC and EPA recommend testing every well at least once a year.
Basic screening only. Confirm arsenic, nitrate and bacteria with a certified lab.
Find a certified drinking-water labAmazon links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Arsenic
Across Michigan, an estimated ~192,748 people rely on private wells with modeled arsenic above the 10 µg/L EPA limit. The highest modeled exposure is in Tuscola County (~11,252 people).
Counties with the highest modeled arsenic exposure
| County | Est. well residents over arsenic limit | 90% range |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscola County | ~11,252 | 9,269–13,487 |
| Clinton County | ~8,229 | 6,935–9,738 |
| Livingston County | ~7,681 | 6,123–9,693 |
| Oakland County | ~7,540 | 6,002–9,534 |
| Genesee County | ~6,942 | 5,661–8,501 |
| Lenawee County | ~6,064 | 4,522–7,996 |
| Sanilac County | ~5,945 | 4,889–7,143 |
| Gratiot County | ~5,767 | 4,736–6,962 |
| Midland County | ~5,663 | 4,666–6,846 |
| Lapeer County | ~5,544 | 4,626–6,637 |
| Kent County | ~5,442 | 4,440–6,746 |
| Monroe County | ~5,370 | 4,071–7,667 |
| Washtenaw County | ~5,310 | 3,937–7,157 |
| Eaton County | ~5,128 | 4,365–6,075 |
| Saginaw County | ~4,397 | 3,683–5,148 |
| Shiawassee County | ~4,393 | 3,657–5,254 |
| Huron County | ~3,924 | 3,251–4,690 |
| St. Clair County | ~3,797 | 2,861–4,999 |
| Grand Traverse County | ~3,678 | 2,309–5,654 |
| Allegan County | ~3,677 | 2,897–4,670 |
| Jackson County | ~3,418 | 2,770–4,236 |
| Bay County | ~3,183 | 2,629–3,752 |
| Isabella County | ~3,180 | 2,627–3,833 |
| Ottawa County | ~3,052 | 2,387–3,884 |
| Muskegon County | ~3,036 | 2,356–3,917 |
| Calhoun County | ~2,743 | 2,167–3,476 |
| Montcalm County | ~2,338 | 1,877–2,908 |
| Roscommon County | ~2,032 | 1,394–2,904 |
| Van Buren County | ~2,016 | 1,558–2,615 |
| Gladwin County | ~1,980 | 1,588–2,472 |
| Ingham County | ~1,922 | 1,585–2,329 |
| Alpena County | ~1,899 | 1,325–2,622 |
| Leelanau County | ~1,846 | 1,150–2,857 |
| Branch County | ~1,773 | 1,404–2,232 |
| Hillsdale County | ~1,766 | 1,435–2,180 |
| Benzie County | ~1,766 | 1,109–2,677 |
| Barry County | ~1,748 | 1,376–2,246 |
| Newaygo County | ~1,710 | 1,317–2,237 |
| Berrien County | ~1,648 | 1,219–2,244 |
| Delta County | ~1,635 | 1,324–2,039 |
| Ionia County | ~1,488 | 1,212–1,833 |
| Antrim County | ~1,413 | 894–2,154 |
| Cass County | ~1,402 | 1,051–1,868 |
| Charlevoix County | ~1,371 | 878–2,073 |
| Cheboygan County | ~1,341 | 968–1,875 |
| Manistee County | ~1,307 | 848–1,956 |
| Mecosta County | ~1,212 | 932–1,588 |
| Macomb County | ~1,201 | 908–1,585 |
| Mason County | ~1,200 | 867–1,644 |
| Marquette County | ~1,198 | 934–1,541 |
| Oceana County | ~1,094 | 827–1,438 |
| Menominee County | ~1,079 | 886–1,311 |
| Emmet County | ~1,072 | 741–1,534 |
| Arenac County | ~1,057 | 882–1,315 |
| Kalamazoo County | ~1,033 | 784–1,372 |
| St. Joseph County | ~928 | 697–1,245 |
| Clare County | ~915 | 689–1,222 |
| Ogemaw County | ~876 | 686–1,121 |
| Otsego County | ~866 | 570–1,304 |
| Chippewa County | ~860 | 659–1,123 |
| Wexford County | ~842 | 602–1,202 |
| Alcona County | ~821 | 567–1,168 |
| Missaukee County | ~727 | 533–986 |
| Kalkaska County | ~681 | 488–956 |
| Osceola County | ~666 | 507–878 |
| Montmorency County | ~591 | 403–862 |
| Presque Isle County | ~591 | 449–771 |
| Iosco County | ~520 | 401–669 |
| Mackinac County | ~497 | 378–672 |
| Crawford County | ~458 | 327–644 |
| Dickinson County | ~443 | 368–533 |
| Houghton County | ~426 | 339–531 |
| Lake County | ~363 | 265–502 |
| Schoolcraft County | ~355 | 272–463 |
| Luce County | ~335 | 253–439 |
| Oscoda County | ~326 | 239–444 |
| Alger County | ~320 | 249–413 |
| Baraga County | ~283 | 229–350 |
| Ontonagon County | ~129 | 108–155 |
3 additional Michigan counties have lower modeled arsenic exposure (fewer than 100 estimated well residents over the limit). Of these, 1 has measured USGS well samples: Iron.
Source: USGS domestic-well arsenic model, Lombard et al. (2021); county population product (2017).
Measured well tests by county
The USGS has published laboratory results from wells in 69 Michigan counties (at least 5 wells each). These are real measurements of other wells — domestic, public-supply and monitoring wells — not a test of yours. The tables rank counties by the share of sampled wells over each federal threshold.
Nitrate (as N): counties with the most wells > 10 mg/L (EPA MCL)
| County | Wells over | Median | Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale County | 14% | 3.5 mg/L | 7 wells |
| Livingston County | 11% | 0.3 mg/L | 37 wells |
| Washtenaw County | 8% | 0 mg/L | 12 wells |
| Oakland County | 2% | 0 mg/L | 42 wells |
Manganese: counties with the most wells > 300 µg/L (EPA health advisory)
| County | Wells over | Median | Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon County | 22% | 34 µg/L | 9 wells |
| Clinton County | 14% | 20 µg/L | 7 wells |
| Ingham County | 13% | 40 µg/L | 15 wells |
| Genesee County | 8% | 16 µg/L | 13 wells |
| Eaton County | 8% | 36 µg/L | 12 wells |
| Livingston County | 5% | 21 µg/L | 44 wells |
| Oakland County | 3% | 30 µg/L | 58 wells |
Source: USGS ScienceBase 5f36baa782cee144fb3873e8 (manganese, pH, arsenic) and McMahon et al. (2019), Environ. Sci. Technol. 53:29–38 (nitrate, iron); aggregated by county with Census 2020 boundaries. USGS well samples; not a test of your well.
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Michigan well water: FAQ
Is there arsenic in well water in Michigan?
Yes. USGS modeling estimates about 192,748 people in Michigan use private wells with arsenic above 10 µg/L, across 82 modeled counties. Arsenic comes from natural bedrock and varies well to well, even between neighbors, so a lab test is the only way to know your own level.
Which Michigan counties have the most arsenic in well water?
By modeled number of well residents over the arsenic limit: Tuscola County (~11,252), Clinton County (~8,229), Livingston County (~7,681). Counties with more private-well users rank higher, so a smaller county can still have a high share of affected wells.
How do I remove arsenic from well water in Michigan?
Test first. If arsenic is present, a point-of-use reverse-osmosis system under the kitchen sink removes 90%+ of it; boiling does not remove arsenic (it concentrates it), and carbon pitchers and water softeners do not remove it either. Whole-house adsorptive arsenic media is used when levels are high. Re-test after installing and then annually.
Is nitrate a problem in Michigan well water?
USGS models about 0% of Michigan's private-well population (~530 people) above the 10 mg/L nitrate limit. Nitrate is highest in shallow wells near fertilized cropland, septic systems or livestock, and matters most for infants and pregnancy.
Do I need an acid neutralizer for my well in Michigan?
Acidic well water is uncommon in Michigan, but it does occur. In USGS lab results from 316 wells across 22 Michigan counties, 0% had pH below 6.5. The most acidic sampled counties are Livingston County (2% of 41 wells). You only need a neutralizer if your own well tests below about 6.5 — signs include blue-green stains on fixtures and pinhole leaks in copper pipe. A calcite (or calcite/Corosex) neutralizer tank handles mildly acidic water (roughly pH 6–6.5); very acidic water usually needs soda-ash injection. Test first-draw lead and copper too, since acidic water dissolves both from plumbing.
High manganese in Michigan well water — what should I do?
In USGS lab results from 408 wells across 29 Michigan counties, 3% were above the EPA's 300 µg/L health advisory for manganese and 28% were above the 50 µg/L level where it stains fixtures and laundry black or brown. Sampled counties with the highest share over the health advisory: Muskegon County (22% of 9 wells), Clinton County (14% of 7 wells), Ingham County (13% of 15 wells). If your own test is over 300 µg/L, don't use the water for infant formula and use another source for drinking and cooking until it is treated — high manganese is linked to neurological effects, especially in babies and children. Boiling does not remove it. For the whole house, an oxidizing filter (greensand, Birm or air-injection) handles manganese, usually alongside iron; a water softener can remove low levels. For drinking water, a point-of-use reverse osmosis system reduces manganese at the kitchen tap. Retest after treatment to confirm it worked.