Residents in and around Pope County can get their private well water tested for nitrate at no cost during an upcoming clinic hosted by the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District and the Chippewa River Watershed Association in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Staffing at the clinic also will be provided by the Minnesota Well Owners Organization and the Minnesota Groundwater Association. Reduced-rate testing for arsenic ($25) and manganese ($20) will be available through the Traut Companies.
Nitrate contamination is one of the most common threats to drinking water in rural Minnesota. It’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless. But at high levels, it poses serious health risks, particularly for infants and pregnant women.
Contamination is most common in agricultural regions with sandy soils, karst geology, or fractured bedrock aquifers. Wells that are shallow, damaged, or older are especially vulnerable.
Federal health guidelines consider water with nitrate levels above 10 mg/L unsafe to drink.
The Minnesota Department of Health recommends annual testing for nitrate and other contaminants in all private wells. Municipal water supplies are tested and treated regularly, but private well owners are responsible for their own water safety.
Testing your water is quick, easy, and confidential. Just follow these steps:
- Run your cold tap for 5–10 minutes
- Collect at least one cup of water in a clean, sealed container
- Keep the sample cool
- Bring it to the clinic during open hours
Nitrate testing clinics held across the state are made possible through Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund. Clinic attendees receive on-the-spot results and personalized guidance at no cost.
Protecting Minnesota’s water resources has been a defining priority of the Walz administration, reflected in sustained support for practical, locally driven conservation. A cornerstone of that work is the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program, which has certified more than 1.3 million acres of farmland in practices that reduce runoff, protect waterways, and strengthen long‑term soil health. This progress demonstrates the administration’s commitment to safeguarding Minnesota’s natural resources while supporting farmers and rural communities.
Pope County Well Water Testing Clinic
July 16
1 p.m.-6 p.m.
Pope County Fairgrounds
230 Minnesota Ave W
Glenwood
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Contact
Cynthia Moothart, MDA Communications
cynthia.moothart@state.mn.us
651-420-2637
