Press Release
Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Terri Peters/Tammy Fiedler
Free well water testing and funding for Southeastern Minnesota well owners
Wabasha County, Minn. – Private well owners in Southeastern Minnesota can now receive free water testing kits, while supplies last. They also have an opportunity to apply for funding assistance to fix contamination issues with their water through the TAP-IN Safe Drinking Water Program (https://safe-drinking-water-for-private-well-users-gis-olmsted.hub.arcgis.com/). Funding will be prioritized to participants who have a financial hardship or if pregnant women or infants under the age of one live in their homes.
Southeastern Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), county environmental services, and county public health departments run the program funded by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
“To keep our community healthy, the TAP-IN program ensures that all residents have equitable access to safe drinking water," said Olmsted SWCD Water Resources Coordinator Caitlin Meyer. "We work together to protect our water sources and help our community."
The karst landscape in Southeastern Minnesota has many sinkholes, springs, caves, and other features that make it easy for contaminants to get into the groundwater. Well owners should test their water regularly to ensure its’ safety.
Why test well water?
- Nitrate: High nitrate levels in drinking water can be dangerous, especially for babies and pregnant people. Nitrate can enter water from fertilizers and waste. Well owners should test their water for nitrate every year.
- Coliform Bacteria: This bacteria indicates that water might be contaminated by sewage, animals, or surface water, which could mean other harmful germs are present. Test for coliform bacteria every year.
- Arsenic: This is found naturally in soil and rocks but can dissolve into water and cause serious health problems. Test for arsenic at least once.
- Manganese: Small amounts are okay, but too much can cause problems with memory and learning, especially for kids. Households with children should test for manganese at least once.
- Lead: Lead can get into water from old pipes and affect development in children, and cause health problems in adults. Test for lead at least once, especially in households with infants.
What to do if contaminants are present in well water
If water has high levels of these contaminants, well owners can apply for financial assistance for remediation. This can include installing water treatment equipment, fixing wells, or sometimes even installing a new well. Assistance depends on eligibility. Local county offices may cover 50-100% of the cost of installing water treatment.
"The health of our community is our top priority," said Olmsted County Public Health Environmental Health Lab Manager Lauri Clements. "By offering free well water testing and financial assistance, we are taking a service-focused approach to address environmental health concerns and ensure residents in Southeastern Minnesota have clean and safe water to drink."
How to apply
To apply for the TAP-IN program, participants need to:.
- Use a private well for drinking water. Homeowners and renters in Wabasha County may apply. Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, & Winona counties are also participating.
- Have a certified lab test showing the well is contaminated. The test must be from the last three years.
- Meet priority eligibility requirements. Participants may get extra assistance if they have a financial hardship or if pregnant women or infants under the age of one live in their homes.
- Consult a licensed professional for a plan and cost estimate to fix the well. Participants should consult a licensed well driller, licensed pump installed, or water treatment professional. Any work done on the well prior to approval from the local county office will not be reimbursed.
- Use the online form to submit the application, project plan, and lab test report to a local county office or SWCD. For Wabasha County, contact the SWCD at (651) 565-4673 This online form be found on the TAP-IN website previously referenced.
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About Wabasha County
Wabasha County is located in Southeast Minnesota along the Mississippi River and is made up of several small and rural communities. This location allows for unmatched natural beauty as well as a diverse wildlife population. The city of Wabasha is the county seat and also Minnesota’s first and longest continuously inhabited River town.
About Wabasha Soil and Water Conservation District
The mission statement of the Wabasha Soil & Water Conservation District is to provide technical, financial, and informational resources for land and water management in a way that promotes a sound economy and sustains and enhances natural resources.
The SWCD assists farmers, communities, watershed planners, and landowners in developing and implementing conservation and resource management systems and practices including tree sales. The SWCD also serves as a source for conservation and resource information and provides environmental education for county residents.
About Wabasha County Public Health Services
Wabasha County Public Health Services (WCPHS) provides critical health services to the entire community. Our employees work closely with various entities in the community, such as government, businesses, educational institutions, health care organizations, and non-profits to address community health issues and find solutions.