By Jean Meiners,
Technician, Root River SWCD
To protect those most vulnerable to nitrate in drinking water, the State of Minnesota is offering limited private well testing for eligible private well households in Houston County, on a first come, first served basis. This funding prioritizes private well households with a baby under 1-year-old or a pregnant person living in the home. Root River SWCD has water testing kits for those who do not meet the requirements listed above.
The Minnesota Department of Health recommends testing for bacteria and nitrate annually. Heavy metals should be tested for at least once (manganese, arsenic and lead), but also before a pregnant mother or small child consumes the water. If any contaminants are elevated, it is a good idea to explore water treatment options and to test more frequently.
Clean and safe drinking water is essential to good health and an important part of a healthy home environment. Minnesota’s drinking water is provided to people in their homes and where they work and play. Public water systems supply 80% of Minnesota’s drinking water and the remaining 20% provided by private wells.
Public water supplies are regulated to meet standards of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Public water supplies are regularly tested for over 100 contaminants to ensure a safe drinking water supply.
Private well owners must protect and maintain their well and are responsible for testing their own drinking water. Unused private wells should be properly sealed.
A well that is properly located, constructed, maintained, and tested can provide a reliable and safe drinking water source and serve many domestic, agricultural, and commercial purposes.
You and your licensed well contractor have important roles in keeping your well safe. A safe well helps keep your household healthy and protects Minnesota’s groundwater.
Keep all well records related to well construction, maintenance, repairs, disinfection, sediment removal, and testing.
You are responsible for regularly testing your well water. Both natural sources and human activities can contaminate wells and cause short- or long-term health effects. You cannot taste, see, or smell most contaminants. MDH recommends using an accredited laboratory to test your water.
Inspect Your Well Regularly
- Damage: Any cracks or holes in well casing, corrosion, loose wires, or soil settling?
- Well cap: Is it securely attached to the well casing? Is it broken or missing?
- Connections: Are the electrical conduit and other connections watertight?
Protect Your Well
Do These Things
- Keep top of well at least one foot above ground.
- Keep well area clear of debris.
- Maintain minimum isolation distances from contamination sources.
- Mark your well with flags or posts to protect it from being hit by vehicles or machinery.
- Take precautions before and after floods.
Do NOT Do These Things
- Allow water to pond around your well.
- Use, store, or dispose of potential pollutants (such as animal wastes, fertilizers, pesticides, or hazardous chemicals) near your well.
- Tie animals to your well.
- Dispose of waste in unused wells.
Seal Unused Wells
A well that you no longer use (unused well) can be a pathway for contaminants to get into groundwater and is a safety hazard. You are responsible for getting unused wells on your property sealed. Only a licensed well contractor can legally seal wells.
Root River SWCD may have cost share available for well testing, well repair, installation of a reverse osmosis system, and well sealing. Call the office to discuss options.
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