About 47% of the county's 8,575 residents. Rank 76 of 83 in Michigan.
95% range 229 to 350 private-well users (2010 base year). Rank 78 of 83 in Michigan.
Moderate potential (average indoor radon may be between 2 and 4 pCi/L). EPA says the map should not be used to decide whether an individual home needs testing.
Labs with an address in this county, from the official state lists on this site, matched by ZIP code.
What to test for in Baraga County
Private wells are not regulated like public water: EPA advises owners to test their well every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH. Your state's own schedule:
- Michigan EGLE's drinking water lab lists times people may want to test their water, especially from a private well: when they notice an unusual color, odor or appearance, when a new well is installed, and during routine maintenance of an old well or well pump. source
Arsenic. USGS estimates that about 283 people using private wells in Baraga County had arsenic above 10 µg/L, EPA's limit for public water (2010 base year; 95% range 229 to 350). USGS describes this kind of estimate as useful "for broad screening of the population at risk", so it says nothing certain about any one well. Arsenic has no taste or smell: test for it by name.
Radon. EPA puts Baraga County in Zone 2: moderate potential (average indoor radon may be between 2 and 4 pCi/L). That map is about radon in indoor air, and EPA says it should not be used to decide whether an individual home needs testing. If radon is found in your air and you have a well, EPA suggests testing the water too: see radon in well water.
For anything specific to your home (farms nearby, old plumbing, a new baby, a smell or stain), use the which-tests checklist. When the results arrive, check your numbers against EPA's limits.
Show the numbers
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscola County | 11,252 people (2010 base year) | |
| Clinton County | 8,229 people (2010 base year) | |
| Livingston County | 7,681 people (2010 base year) | |
| Oakland County | 7,540 people (2010 base year) | |
| Genesee County | 6,942 people (2010 base year) | |
| Baraga County (this county) | 283 people (2010 base year) |
USGS model estimate for broad screening, not a measurement of any well. Only a test tells you about your own well. Source: USGS, Estimated county level domestic well population with arsenic greater than 10 micrograms per liter (Ayotte, Medalie and Qi, 2017), accessed 2026-11-01.
Testing programs and help in Michigan
- EGLE says to contact your local health department for a recommendation on what to test for, since recommendations may differ by area, household and your own concerns. EGLE lists coliforms, nitrites and some metals (like arsenic and lead) as standard concerns for private wells, and notes that U.S. EPA recommends testing all private wells at a minimum for coliform bacteria and nitrate/nitrite. source
- The EGLE lab does not interpret test results. For questions about your water quality, EGLE refers you to your local health department; for private wells it also points to the Be Well Informed online tool. source
Buying a home with a well in Baraga County
Loan test (FHA, VA, USDA) in Baraga County, MI
- VA. Test results are valid for 90 days from the date the local health authority certifies them, unless the local authority says otherwise. VA’s chapter names no list of contaminants: the water must meet the local health authority’s requirements, or EPA guidelines where it has none. Your lender may ask for specific tests.
- FHA. A well test is required in the situations FHA’s handbook lists, among others, and the report may not be more than 180 days old at disbursement.
- USDA. Guaranteed loans need a water quality test for a private well, done by the local health authority or a state-certified lab, and no more than 180 days old at closing.
Lenders can ask for more (extra tests, a particular lab, who takes the sample): ask your lender before you book. Federal rules as read on Nov 3, 2026 source 1 source 2 source 3. Full comparison: VA, FHA and USDA well water test requirements. Loan test kits sold by mail, with price and days to results: kits compared.
State-certified labs in Baraga County
Baraga Water Plant
100 Hemlock Street, Baraga, MIPublic samples: ask the labL'Anse Water Treatment Plant
1059 Bayshore Rd, L'Anse, MIPublic samples: ask the labTesting by mail from Baraga County. Michigan EGLE Drinking Water Laboratory, Preview: Water Testing Fee Schedule, pricing effective Oct 1, 2026 publishes these prices: Total coliform and E. coli $23; Nitrate and nitrite $41; Partial chemistry: calcium, chloride, fluoride, hardness, iron, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, sodium and sulfate $66 (plus a $13 per-sample preparation fee) (checked 3 Nov 2026) source. All Michigan state-lab prices and how to get a kit.
Labs on the Michigan list whose own websites say they take homeowner samples: Aqua Test Laboratories (White Lake), Biosan (Warren), Enviro Lab Services, Inc (Oscoda), Garrett Laboratories, Inc. (Niles), Grand Traverse Analytical, LLC (Traverse City), LMAS Regional Laboratory (Newberry), Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency (Gaylord), OML Analytical (Rockford) and 8 more. Use Check my ZIP to sort labs by distance.
See all Michigan labs in the finder and filter by the test you need and by labs that take homeowner samples.
- USGS, Estimated use of water in the United States, county-level data for 2015 (Dieter et al., ver. 2.0, 2018)
- USGS, Estimated county level domestic well population with arsenic greater than 10 micrograms per liter (Ayotte, Medalie and Qi, 2017)
- U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA to county relationship file (lab ZIP codes to counties)
- EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Chemistry + EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Microbiological + EGLE - State of Michigan Certified Laboratories: Lead and Copper + EGLE - Certified Radiological Laboratories + EGLE - In-State Certified PFAS Laboratories (SOM Certified Labs - Chemistry 3/11/2026 (chemistry, microbiological, lead and copper lists); 9/8/2025 (radiological, in-state PFAS lists))
Filter by the test you need and by labs that take homeowner samples.
Open the finder →