Testing Your Well Water

Safe drinking water is important to your health, but how can you tell if your well provides safe water? Public water systems are tested regularly, but if you have a private well, regular testing is up to you. To assure safe drinking water, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends the following:

• First, make sure that your well is located, maintained, and constructed properly
• Test your water anytime your well is serviced, or you notice a change in taste, color or odor
• Regular water testing should be conducted as follows:

Test For	Annually	Every 2 Years	Once
Total Coliform Bacteria	X
Nitrate*	X	X
Arsenic			X
Lead			X
Manganese	Test before a baby drinks the water.
*For nitrates, test annually or every 2 years, and always test before giving to an infant and anyone in your house that becomes pregnant.

Depending on where you live may also be a factor to consider when testing your water. For example, manganese is a naturally occurring element found in drinking water across Minnesota, and has recently been found to cause neurological problems, especially in infants over time. For more information on manganese, click on the following link: Manganese in Drinking Water.

For more information on water quality, well testing, and well disinfection, go to the Minnesota Department of Health's website by clicking on: Water Quality - Well Testing & Disinfection.