Supporting safe drinking water for private well users
Around 20 percent of Minnesotans, about 1.2 million people, get their drinking water from private wells. Unlike municipal water, which must meet enforceable federal drinking water standards, private wells are not required to undergo regular testing or treatment. This means private well users are responsible for nearly every aspect of their drinking water safety, from understanding recommended testing schedules to recognizing potential health risks and selecting appropriate treatment options.
The University of Minnesota Water Resources Center’s Private Well Education Program recently hosted a pilot drinking water testing clinic in Clay County in collaboration with local well water action group, Well Aware. Private well users were able to pick up free test kits for Minnesota’s five most common drinking water contaminants: arsenic, manganese, nitrate, coliform bacteria, and lead. 98 private well users from eight counties participated in the drinking water clinic.
Notably, laboratory analysis showed that 77% of wells had detectable arsenic, a known carcinogen that is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, and about 45% of samples exceeded the primary drinking water standard for arsenic. These findings highlight the importance of regular testing and follow-up education for private well users.
To help participants understand their results and learn more about groundwater in the region, partners hosted a free Drinking Water Workshop in Barnesville on March 7. The workshop featured:
- Brenna Finley, Extension Educator with University of Minnesota Extension, presenting “From Test Results to Action: Making Sense of Your Well Water.”
- Brent Mason, Area Hydrologist with Minnesota DNR, presenting an overview of aquifers, aquifer distribution in the region, groundwater sustainability, and the DNR’s work to ensure that future generations will have enough water.
- Q & A with local experts
This effort reflects a growing statewide commitment to ensuring private well users have the information, tools, and support they need to protect their drinking water and the health of their families.