The Michigan Department of Public Health laboratory analyzes drinking water for eight parameters in a routine testing procedure referred to as a partial chemical analysis. Below is a table of these parameters and associated problems. Except for fluoride and nitrate, the levels listed below are general guidelines. State drinking water standards have been established and are listed for these two chemicals.
| TEST RESULTS IN Milligrams PER LITER (MG/L) | ||||
| Test | Excellent | Satisfactory | Objectionable | Problem |
| Iron | 0-0.2 | 0.2-0.5 | Over 0.5 | Staining, turbidity taste, odor |
| Sodium | 0-20 | 20-160 | Over 160 | Taste, special diets may require water of low sodium content |
| Nitrate (NO3) | 0 | 1-10 | Over 10 (State drinking water standard is 10) | Nitrate poisoning-especially infaNitrate/td> |
| Nitrite | 0 | 0-1 | Over 1 | Nitrite poisoning-especially infants |
| Hardness (CaCo3) | 25-100 | 100-250 | Over 250 or less than 25 | Scaling of water fixtures, soap scum at high levels; corrosion at low levels |
| Sulfate | 0-50 | 50-250 | Over 250 | Laxative effect, odor, scaling in boilers, heat exchangers |
| Chloride | 0-20 | 20-250 | Over 250 | Taste; corrosion |
|
Fluoride |
1.0-1.2 |
0.7-2.0 or 1.7-2.4 |
Over 4.0 (State drinking water standard is 4) |
Low levels are beneficial in preventing tooth decay. High levels may cause mottling of teeth |
Test results are reported in milligrams per liter (mg/l) for all parameters.