LANSING — State Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) is providing residents with information on water safety testing in Muskegon County. While the contamination of Flint’s city water with lead has caused a health crisis, treated water from Muskegon and Muskegon Heights Water Treatment Facilities drawn from Lake Michigan has been tested safe. According to federal guidelines, testing is required every three years to determine the potential for lead and copper entering the system. However, owners of older homes may want to consider testing the quality of their own tap water.

“Many homes built before 1980 may rely on lead or copper metal pipes with lead soldering in their service lines or indoor plumbing,” Hovey-Wright said. “Like many people, I was concerned for the safety of my home’s water, so I did some research about how to get home water tested in our community.”

Water treated at municipal facilities in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights has been shown to be clean when it leaves the treatment plants. From there, water flows through trunk lines to service lines that move water to homes and businesses. Some people are concerned that older service lines, which could have used lead soldering or lead pipes, could corrode and leach lead into water.

People interested in testing their home’s water should take the following steps:

  • Public Health-Muskegon County has a contract with Trace Analytical Labs of Muskegon, certified by the State of Michigan, to provide testing for drinking water samples. Public Health-Muskegon County has also agreed to provide the test kits for lead and copper testing in the water at homes and businesses.
  • Muskegon County residents and businesses can pick up test kits and instructions at Public Health-Muskegon County or Trace Analytical and return the filled bottles to Trace Analytical Laboratories on Black Creek Road.
  • The standard turnaround time is 3-5 business days, and residents will be provided with clear and simple test results.
  • The cost for lead and copper testing is $25 for the first draw, which tests for lead and/or copper in service lines, and another $25 if the resident wants to test the water after flushing the lines for 10 minutes. The post-flushing test is only recommended when the first draw indicates the presence of either lead or copper in the service lines because the Muskegon and Muskegon Heights systems have tested safe.
  • Fees must be paid when dropping off the samples at the laboratory on Black Creek Road.

To get a water testing kit, visit the Public Health-Muskegon County located at 209 E. Apple Ave. in Muskegon or Trace Analytical Laboratories located at 2241 Black Creek Road. For technical questions, contact Jon Mink at Trace Analytical Laboratories by calling (231) 773-5998.

“If people are concerned about the water quality in their home, I urge them to consider testing,” Hovey-Wright said. “Again, water from the Muskegon and Muskegon Heights treatment plants has tested safe. It’s understandable that families would like added assurance that the water coming out of the tap is safe for their families to drink.”