Safe Water
Starts at the Source

Clean, safe drinking water is essential to protecting your health. The Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency provides water and well testing services to help identify potential contaminants, ensure water quality, and make informed decisions about water supply.

Private Water Wells and Water Testing

The quality of your drinking water plays an important role in the health and well-being of your family, customers, and employees. Whether you need routine testing, are purchasing a property, have concerns about changes in your water’s taste, odor, or appearance, or are testing a newly installed well, our Environmental Health team is here to help. Through accurate testing, educational resources, and expert guidance, we help residents and businesses better understand their water quality and take the necessary steps to maintain a safe and dependable drinking water supply.

Permits are required for the installation of on-site water supply (well) systems. Permit fees must be paid at time of application.

Online Environmental Health Portal
Visit our online Environmental Health portal to submit online well permits, septic permits, review water supply and sewage records, and to make payments. For paper applications, scroll down below and also read our most common FAQs.

Online BHJS Portal

Have Questions or Need Help with your Test Results?

Branch County: 517-279-9561 ext. 106
Hillsdale County: 517-473-7395 ext. 331
St. Joseph County: 269-273-2161 ext. 233

Resources

How-To Videos

Well and Septic Applications and Fees

For those that prefer not to use our BHSJ Online Portal, you may watch instructional videos, download paper applications, and learn how to submit requests via mail or to drop-off to any of our office locations below.

Residential

To request a residential well, vacant land, or septic permit, please print the below application and mail it with a check or money order.

Residential Application

Commercial & Multi-Family

To request a commercial or multi-family well or septic permit, please print the below application and mail it with a check or money order.

Commercial/Multi-Family Application

Fee Schedule

View the latest fee schedule for water and well permits, inspections, and testing services. Download the current fee schedule for the most up-to-date rates.

Fee Schedule

Water and Well FAQs

Have a well and wonder what your water testing results mean?

Be Well Informed tool

This tool is a resource for private well owners to help them understand their water well sample results. Well owners input the results from their laboratory report and the concentration is compared to Michigan drinking water criteria. Links to compound specific information about potential risks and typical treatment methods is included if available.

VISIT BE WELL INFORMED

When Should I have my well water tested?

Most wells get checked when they are first built; however, water wells should be checked more frequently as water quality may change over time. This testing can determine if there have been any water quality changes to your well that could be harmful to those who drink and use that well water.

If you have a private well and you want to know if your water is safe to drink, here is what you can do:

Call Your Local Health Department office. They can tell you if there is anything special you need to know about the water in your area.
Contact a water testing lab for information on type of testing and the cost.
Learn more about how to collect a water sample and send to the laboratory.

What can I have my water tested for? How do I collect my sample and fill out the forms?

Common tests include:

Local Water Testing Labs

Nitrate and Bacteria:

Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality – Lansing – Nitrate and Bacteria; bottles available at the local Health Department or by calling the state direct at 517-335-8184. Call for processing cost.
Coldwater Water Department at Waterworks Park – Coldwater – Contact them for sampling containers and sample fees at 517-279-4805.
Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant – Three Rivers – Sampling containers are available at the Three Rivers office of the Community Health Agency or you can contact the plant for sampling containers and sample fees at 269-273-5885.

Bacteria Only:

Hillsdale Wastewater Treatment Plant – Hillsdale – Contact them for sampling containers and sample fees at 517-437-5631.

Special Notes:
When using the State lab for your sampling they automatically send the local health department a copy of the sample results. Sample results may not be available from the State lab for 3-14 days.

When using any of the other labs listed above, you are responsible for sending a copy of their test results to the health department. Sample results are usually available from these local labs within 24-48 hours.

Well Water Testing and Interpreting Your Results

Don’t worry if you are not sure what the laboratory results mean – Your Local Health Department office will help you understand the results and will guide you on next steps, if necessary.

Business Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm

Get Help Now

Safe Water Starts at the Source