Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency

At a glance

What it is certified to test

2 of the 9 common well tests on the MI list (see which)

Price

from $27 (Bacteriological (Coliform, E-coli) Sampling), as printed on the lab’s website, read 14 Nov 2026

Turnaround

not stated on the state list or the lab’s website: ask when you order

Homeowner samples

yes (lab’s own website, read 14 Nov 2026)

Lab facts

Listed by

Michigan (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) - Laboratory Certification Program)

Address

95 Livingston Boulevard, Gaylord, MI 49735 · Open in Google Maps

Phone

(989) 217-8445

Website

nwhealth.org

Not on the state list: found and checked by us, 14 Nov 2026

Public / homeowner samples

Homeowner samples: yes (lab’s website)

Not stated in the list.

Certification record

Certificate ID

9960

Issued by

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) - Laboratory Certification Program (certification program)

List version

EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Chemistry + EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Microbiological, version SOM Certified Labs - Chemistry 3/11/2026 (chemistry, microbiological lists)

We fetched it

15 Nov 2026 (file SHA-256 67116a31f5aa…) · open the state file

Tests on the state list

• Named on the official list The state list names this analyte (or a column for it) for this lab.
• Group-level certification Certified for a parent group (e.g. 'Inorganics') that includes this analyte. Confirm the specific test with the lab.
• Partial group certification The list marks the group as 'Partial'. Confirm this analyte with the lab.
• Subcontracted The lab sends this analyte to another accredited lab (MDH 'X*').

EGLE lists 8 drinking-water analytes this lab is certified for (analyte-level list). On EGLE's chemistry and microbiological lists.

Homeowner service and turnaround (lab’s own website)

• Takes homeowner samples: yes. The lab’s site says: “Residential Water Testing We carry test kits for many types of water sampling ... Stop by any of our offices to pick up one or more of the following test kits” source
• Who collects: You collect the sample with the lab's bottles. source
• By mail or courier: the lab says samples or kits can be shipped. Bacteria samples must reach the lab within its holding time.

From the lab’s own website, read 14 Nov 2026 and re-read by a second checker; next check due by 12 Feb 2027. Certification fields come from the state list only.

Prices the lab prints, compared

• Bacteria (coliform / E. coli): $27 here, $4 more than the state-run lab’s $23 (Total coliform and E. coli; Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory, Preview: Water Testing Fee Schedule, pricing effective Oct 1, 2026 (the lab's first fee increase since 2007), checked 3 Nov 2026) source.
• Bacteria (coliform / E. coli) against other Michigan labs: median $30 across 7 other labs that print a price on their own site; 1 of them charge less than $27.

Comparison uses the lowest single-test price this lab prints; panels and ranges are left out. For comparison only, not a quote.

Nearest labs that take homeowner samples

No other lab that takes homeowner samples is within 25 miles of this lab; the nearest is 50 miles away. Distances are straight-line from the address on the state list (approx. = ZIP-code centre). “Takes homeowner samples” comes from a state list column or the lab’s own website, as named.

Price and turnaround as printed on each lab’s own website and checked by a second reader; – = not published or not read yet.

Around this lab: Otsego County, MI

• Private wells: about 19,948 people, 82% of Otsego County’s 24,253 residents (USGS, 2015); rank 40 of 83 counties in Michigan by people on wells.

• EPA radon zone (indoor air): Zone 2: moderate potential (average indoor radon may be between 2 and 4 pCi/L). EPA says the zone map should not decide whether one home needs testing.
• Arsenic above 10 µg/L (USGS model): about 866 private-well users (95% range 570 to 1,304; 2010 base), rank 59 of 82 in the state. A screening estimate, not a measurement of any well.
• Older homes (Census ACS 2020–2024): 46% of 14,882 housing units were built before 1980, below the state share of 62%. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead solder or fittings, so test tap water for lead there.
• PFAS in public water nearby (public supply, not your well): 2 public systems serving this county reported EPA UCMR 5 results; 0 had a PFOA or PFOS sample at or above 4.0 ng/L.

County figures describe where the lab is, not the lab. Sources: USGS 2015 water use and 2017 arsenic estimates, EPA radon zones, Census ACS table B25034 (2020–2024), EPA UCMR 5 (2023–2026); details and links on the sources page.

Before you send a sample

Call the lab to confirm it's currently certified for the exact test and method, that it accepts samples from homeowners, and how to collect and ship them. Bacteria samples have short holding times. Status can change between list updates. To check a status, contact the Michigan certification program.

Is this your lab?

Labs can ask for corrections through the agency that publishes their state list. Homeowner service, prices and turnaround above come only from the lab’s own website. To ask us to correct or remove this listing, write to us (how we handle listings).