Groundwater Safety in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Groundwater is water found below the earth’s surface. In the Grand Rapids area, it can come from private wells, springs, and bores, and is commonly used in rural Kent County and some suburban areas that are not connected to city water.

While groundwater is an important resource across West Michigan, it is not automatically safe to drink. Understanding the risks and how to manage them is essential for protecting your family’s health.

Groundwater Risks in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

Microorganisms in Groundwater

Groundwater in the Grand Rapids region can contain disease-causing microorganisms (pathogens), including:

  • Bacteria (such as E. coli)
  • Viruses
  • Parasites

These microorganisms can enter groundwater from:

  • Failing septic systems
  • Animal waste from farms and hobby farms
  • Flooding and heavy rain or snowmelt (common in Michigan’s spring thaw)
  • Contaminated surface water seeping into shallow wells

Illnesses from contaminated groundwater can include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal illness
  • More serious infections in vulnerable people

Chemical Contaminants in Michigan Groundwater

Some groundwater supplies in Michigan have been found to contain high levels of chemical contaminants, including:

  • Arsenic
  • Nitrates and nitrites (from fertilizers, septic systems, and animal waste)
  • Sulfates
  • PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in some parts of West Michigan
  • Other naturally occurring minerals and metals

Over time, exposure to these contaminants can increase the risk of:

  • Certain cancers (for example, long-term arsenic exposure)
  • Blue baby syndrome in infants (from high nitrate levels)
  • Kidney and liver problems
  • Skin, cardiovascular, and nervous system issues

Hard Water and Pipe Corrosion

Groundwater in Michigan is often “hard,” meaning it contains higher levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water can:

  • Cause scale buildup in pipes, hot water heaters, and fixtures
  • Lead to corrosion of plumbing systems

Corroded pipes can release harmful metals such as:

  • Lead
  • Copper

In older homes in Grand Rapids and surrounding communities—especially those with aging plumbing—this can be a serious concern.

When Possible, Use City (Mains) Water in Grand Rapids

If your home or business can connect to a public water supply, such as:

  • City of Grand Rapids Water System
  • Other municipal systems in Kent County and the greater metro area

you should use this treated mains water instead of groundwater for drinking and cooking.

Public water supplies in Grand Rapids are:

  • Treated and disinfected
  • Routinely tested for bacteria, chemicals, and metals
  • Regulated under state and federal drinking water standards

This makes city water generally safer and more reliable than untreated private well water.

If You Use Groundwater, Know Your Local Water Quality

If you rely on a private well or bore in or around Grand Rapids (including rural Kent County or neighboring counties), you should:

  • Contact local agencies for guidance, such as:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
    • Grand Rapids Public Health resources
  • Ask about:
    • Known groundwater issues in your area (e.g., arsenic, nitrates, PFAS)
    • Recommended testing schedules
    • Appropriate water treatment options

Understand the Treatment You Need

Different contaminants require different treatment methods. For example:

  • Disinfection (chlorination, UV) can remove many harmful microorganisms
  • Filtration and reverse osmosis may be needed for:
    • Arsenic
    • Nitrates
    • Some PFAS and other chemicals
  • Water softeners can reduce hardness but do not remove most chemical contaminants or microorganisms

A treatment system that kills bacteria will not necessarily remove arsenic, nitrates, or PFAS. Your treatment plan must match the specific contaminants found in your groundwater.

Factors That Affect Groundwater Quality in West Michigan

Groundwater quality around Grand Rapids can vary based on:

  • Season and weather
    • Spring snowmelt and heavy rains can increase contamination from surface runoff
    • Flooding can overwhelm septic systems and carry pollutants into shallow groundwater
  • Depth of the well
    • Shallow wells are generally at higher risk of contamination
  • Land use near your well
    • Agriculture (fertilizers, pesticides, livestock operations)
    • Industrial or former industrial sites
    • Landfills or old dump sites
    • Urban stormwater runoff
  • Geology and natural conditions
    • Naturally occurring arsenic and other minerals in Michigan’s soil and rock layers

Because these factors change over time, even a well that once tested “safe” can become contaminated later.

Common Sources of Groundwater Contamination

In and around Grand Rapids, groundwater can be affected by:

  • Sewage and septic system failures
  • Animal waste from farms, stables, and backyard livestock
  • Agricultural activities
    • Pesticides
    • Fertilizers (nitrates)
  • Industrial pollution and legacy contamination
    • Current or former manufacturing sites
    • Chemical spills or leaks
  • Floodwater and stormwater runoff
  • Seepage from landfills and old dump sites
  • Naturally occurring chemicals and radioactive substances

Who Is Most at Risk from Unsafe Groundwater?

Certain groups in the Grand Rapids community are more vulnerable to waterborne illness and chemical exposure:

  • Infants and young children
  • Pregnant women
  • Older adults
  • People with weakened immune systems (for example, from cancer treatment, HIV, or chronic illness)

For these groups, even low levels of contamination can be more dangerous.

Using Groundwater Safely in the Grand Rapids Area

1. Use Mains Water for Drinking When Available

  • If your home or business can connect to City of Grand Rapids water or another municipal system, use it for:
    • Drinking
    • Cooking
    • Making ice
    • Brushing teeth
    • Washing fruits and vegetables

Groundwater can still be used for some non-drinking purposes (such as lawn watering) if it is not contaminated with hazardous chemicals.

2. If Mains Water Is Not Available, Choose the Safest Alternative

When city water is not an option:

  • Use the next safest water source available
  • You may need to treat groundwater to make it safe for drinking and cooking
  • Always base treatment decisions on laboratory test results, not just taste, smell, or appearance

3. Avoid Groundwater in High-Risk Areas

If you live near:

  • Former or current industrial sites
  • Landfills or contaminated properties
  • Areas with known PFAS or chemical contamination
  • Intensive agricultural operations

do not use groundwater for:

  • Drinking or cooking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Preparing infant formula or baby food
  • Bathing young children
  • Filling pools, hot tubs, or spas
  • Watering fruits and vegetables (if chemical contamination is suspected)

Shallow bores and dug wells are especially risky in these areas.

4. Special Care for Infant Formula

If you are considering using groundwater to prepare infant formula:

  • Talk to your pediatrician or family doctor first
  • Ask specifically about nitrates and other contaminants in your well water
  • High nitrates can cause serious illness in bottle-fed babies (blue baby syndrome)

Until you know your groundwater is safe, use:

  • Bottled water, or
  • Treated and tested water from a safe source for infant formula

Private Wells and Water Supply Management in Grand Rapids

If you have a private well on your property:

Create a Water Supply Management Plan

Your plan should include:

  • Regular testing for:
    • Bacteria (coliform, E. coli)
    • Nitrates/nitrites
    • Arsenic
    • Other contaminants recommended by Kent County Health Department or EGLE
  • A schedule for:
    • Well inspections
    • Pump and equipment checks
    • Treatment system maintenance (filters, softeners, RO units)
  • Clear guidelines for:
    • When to stop using the water for drinking
    • When to switch to an alternative source
    • When to call a professional well contractor or plumber

Maintain and Protect Your Well (Bore)

To reduce the risk of contamination:

  • Ensure the wellhead is above ground and in good condition
  • Keep the area around the well:
    • Free of standing water
    • Clear of chemicals, fuel, fertilizers, and animal waste
  • Make sure the well casing is intact and properly sealed
  • Protect against:
    • Surface runoff entering the well
    • Flooding and snowmelt pooling near the well
    • Leakage from septic systems or sewer lines
    • Stormwater and greywater drainage near the well
  • If possible, store drinking water in an above-ground tank rather than underground, where contamination is harder to detect

Keep Plumbing Systems Separate and Secure

  • Ensure mains (city) water plumbing is completely separate from any groundwater or irrigation systems
  • Avoid any cross-connections between:
    • City water and private well water
    • Drinking water lines and irrigation or industrial lines
  • Have a licensed plumber check that:
    • All pipe joints are properly sealed
    • Backflow prevention devices are installed where needed

Local Resources for Groundwater and Well Safety in Grand Rapids

For residents of Grand Rapids and Kent County, help is available:

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Information on private well testing
    • Recommended testing schedules and parameters
    • Guidance on interpreting water test results

  • Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

    • Regulations for well construction and abandonment
    • Information on known contamination sites and groundwater issues

  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local healthcare providers

    • Advice on health risks from contaminated water
    • Guidance for vulnerable populations, including infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals

Local well drillers and water treatment professionals can also assist with:

  • Well construction and repair
  • Installing and maintaining treatment systems
  • Evaluating wellhead protection

Key Points About Groundwater Safety in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Groundwater in the Grand Rapids area can contain disease-causing microorganisms and chemical contaminants such as arsenic and nitrates.
  • If mains (city) water is available, use it instead of groundwater for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth.
  • Disease-causing microorganisms in groundwater can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal illnesses, and may lead to more serious disease in vulnerable people.
  • When mains water is not available, choose the safest alternative source and treat groundwater based on laboratory test results.
  • Residents with private wells should have a water supply management plan, perform regular testing, and work with local resources like the Kent County Health Department and EGLE to ensure their groundwater is safe.