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In Partnership:
Water Resources Center
University of Minnesota Extension
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Water Resources Center
173 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-624-9282
umwrc@umn.edu

Who can answer my questions about water?

If you can't find what you are looking for on the Water Resources Center-University of Minnesota Extension Water Quality site, the page provides other resources to answer your water questions. Here are the top-ten water information resources and resources by topic.

Top Ten Information Resources

The University of Minnesota Extension Water Quality Program (this site)
Phone: Info-U , 612-624-2200 or 800-525-8636 or the Extension office in your county
Local contact: The University of Minnesota Extension office in your county
Septic system information contacts : 612-624-7243 design and installation; 800-719-2825 operation and maintenance

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Phone: 800-426-4791 Safe Drinking Water Hotline
E-mail : hotline-sdwa@epamail.epa.gov
Best Bet: Water on Tap: What you need to know

National Drinking Water Clearinghouse (NDWC)
Phone: 800-624-8301 Drinking water questions
Best Bet : Search On Tap and Water Sense newsletters by subject

The Groundwater Foundation
Phone: 800-858-4844 Groundwater questions
E-mail: info@groundwater.org
Best Bets: Get Informed and Take Action

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Phone: 651-215-0700 Environmental Health Division
Best Bets: Frequently Called Phone Numbers by Subject and Drinking Water Consumer Information

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)
Phone: 651-296-4800 (MN DNR Waters), 651-296-6157 or 888-MINNDNR (General)
Best Bets: Lake Finder Surveys and Maps , External Water Resource Links , and Do I need a permit?

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
Phone: 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864
Best Bets: Permits / Regulations , Directory of MN's Ground Water Programs , and Phone Referral List

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Phone: 651-297-2200 or 800-967-2474
Best Bet : Free Water Testing Clinics for Nitrates

United States Geological Survey in Minnesota (USGS)
Phone: 763-783-3100
E-mail: Earth science questions, Ask-A-Geologist@usgs.gov
Best Bet: National Water-Quality Assessment Program

American Ground Water Trust (AGWT)
Phone: 800-423-7748 Ground water questions

Resources by Topic

Water Testing

• Locate certified water testing labs through Minnesota Department of Health 651-215-0700

• Info-U 612-624-2200 or 800-525-8636

• Your County Environmental Health Department

Safe Drinking Water

• EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations

• Minnesota Department of Health , including Source Water Protection 651-215-0700

• Info-U 612-624-2200 or 800-525-8636

• The National Ag Safety Database ( Interpreting Your Water Test Report ) 

Well Water Disinfection, Construction, Regulations, Sealing (including financial assistance)

• Minnesota Department of Health -Well Management Section 651-215-081 1 or 800-383-9808

• Your County Environmental Health Department

• Info-U 612-624-2200 or 800-525-8636

Surface Water (Lakes, Rivers and Streams)

• MN DNR Waters 651-296-4800 and MN DNR General 651-2966157 or 888-MINNDNR

• MPCA 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864

• Minnesota Lakes Association

• Rivers Council of Minnesota

Septic Systems-Regulations, Maintenance, Construction

• University of Minnesota Extension Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
  Septic system questions: 612-625-7243 or 800-719-2825 
  Info-U 612-624-2200 or 800-525-8636
  E-mail questions: olson150@umn.edu or heger001@umn.edu 
  Order publications : 612-624-4900 or 800-876-8636 or from your county offices

• National Small Flows Clearinghouse

• Your County Planning and Zoning or Environmental Health Departments

• MPCA (Individual Sewage Treatment Systems) 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864

Home Water Treatment

• National Sanitation Foundation International 800-NSF-MARK

• Water Quality Association

• Minnesota Department of Health 651-215-0700

• Info-U 612-624-2200 or 800-525-8636

• Order Extension publications : 612-624-4900 or 800-876-8636 or from your county offices

• The National Ag Safety Database ( Home Water Treatment )

Groundwater Quantity and Quality

• MPCA 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864

• American Ground Water Trust 800-423-7748

• MN DNR Waters 651-296-4800 and MN DNR General 651-2966157 or 888-MINNDNR

News

• U. S. Water News

Water Resources Center · College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences · University of Minnesota Extension· University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. These materials available in other formats upon request. Privacy Policy. © 2004-2005 Regents of the University of Minnesota. Updated by umwrc@umn.edu.