The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has a special program to help Michigan families know the quality of their well water. EGLE and local health departments (LHD) are working together to ensure that safe drinking water is a priority for Michigan families. Many different substances may be found in well water that could be harmful and may cause illness, including bacteria, nitrates, and some metals, such as arsenic. Residents who test through this free program will have the help of the LHD to help determine the next steps if the test results show a problem with their well water quality. If you have a private well and you want to know if your water is safe to drink, here is what you can do: Talk to your LHD. They can tell you if there is anything special you need to know about the water in your area.