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In 2024, Fillmore SWCD screened 247 drinking water samples for nitrate. Of these 247 samples, 27 were screened at 10mg/L and above, with the highest being 21mg/L. Of the 220 samples that were below 10mg/L, 51 were screened at 5.0-9.9mg/L. According to available well data, the samples that were screened at 10mg/L and above were older wells (1978 and older) with very little drilling information about them.
Fillmore SWCD staff, in partnership with Minnesota Department of Agriculture, have run more than 10,000 nitrate screening samples since 2010. These samples include private wells, groundwater springs and streams, and have been analyzed at zero cost to landowners.
Fillmore SWCD offers nitrate screening services for FREE, year round – this service is NOT restricted to Fillmore County residents or Fillmore County samples. Bring in as many samples as you want: your home well; before and after any treatment system you may have; a spring on your property – it doesn’t even need to be sampled within Fillmore County! Bring us one cup of water in any clean container. Drop the sample off at Fillmore SWCD at 912 Houston St NW, Preston, Minn. 55965 within 14 days of collection. NOTE: we run nitrate screening samples in batches, so it may take up to two weeks to get your results.
We are NOT accredited for certified results of nitrates, but the method we use is very reliable, and is the same method used by local nitrate screening clinics. If you have questions about our nitrate screening process or other drinking water concerns, please stop by our new permanent office in at 912 Houston St. NW, next to the DNR and across from the Highway Department, or contact:
Nikki Wheeler
Water Management
Coordinator
507-887-0240
nikki.wheeler@fillmoreswcd.org
or
Aaren Mathison
Conservation Technician
507-887-0240
aaren.mathison@
fillmoreswcd.org
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