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Do you know what’s in your drinking water? Homeowners who rely on private wells for their drinking water supply should test for nitrates on a regular basis. Private well owners are encouraged to participate at the free nitrate testing clinic that will be held Scott County Fairgrounds.

Here's how to take a water sample:

1.    Run the water for 5-10 minutes
2.    Put at least a half cup of water in a sealed container
3.    Keep the sample cold

Sample should be taken less than 24 hours before event, and can be taken before and after distillators, reverse osmosis or other nitrate removal systems.

Samples are analyzed on the spot ‑ the process usually takes less than five minutes ‑ and results are given directly to the homeowner.  If the nitrate level in a sample is elevated, clinic staff can refer the homeowner to certified labs that will retest the water.

The free clinic is brought to you by the MDA and Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Residents of Stearns County are invited to an open house on Thursday, May 9, 2019, regarding the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB) in the county.

On April 2, 2019, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed an EAB infestation in several trees in the city of Sauk Centre.

Those attending the upcoming open house will have an opportunity to learn more about EAB and local options to deal with the insect, and hear how residents can limit the spread of the bug. Experts from the MDA and other state and federal partner agencies will be available to answer questions.

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the adoption of a formal EAB quarantine of Stearns County. An emergency quarantine was placed on the area when EAB was discovered. The MDA will take comments on the formal quarantine through May 17, 2019, and proposes to adopt the quarantine on May 30, 2019. The quarantine limits the movement of ash trees and limbs, and hardwood firewood out of the county. The proposed quarantine language can be found here.

This free nitrate water testing clinic is part of the Cannon River Art & Water Festival.

Do you know what’s in your drinking water? Homeowners who rely on private wells for their drinking water supply should test for nitrates on a regular basis. Private well owners are encouraged to participate at the free nitrate testing clinic that will be held at the Cannon River Art & Water Festival in Riverside Lions Park in Northfield.

Here's how to take a water sample:

1.    Run the water for 5-10 minutes
2.    Put at least a half cup of water in a sealed container
3.    Keep the sample cold

Sample should be taken less than 24 hours before event, and can be taken before and after distillators, reverse osmosis or other nitrate removal systems.

Samples are analyzed on the spot ‑ the process usually takes less than five minutes ‑ and results are given directly to the homeowner.  If the nitrate level in a sample is elevated, clinic staff can refer the homeowner to certified labs that will retest the water.

The free clinic is brought to you by the MDA and the Cannon River Art & Water Festival.