Free nitrate testing for private well owners at the Olmsted County Fair

The Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) are providing free water testing for households that rely on private systems for their drinking water. Free nitrate testing will be available at the Olmsted County Fair from 3 - 7 p.m. on both Thursday, July 29, 2021 and Friday, July 30, 2021 in the Conservation Building.

Participants should collect a cup of water from their well in a clean plastic bag or glass container to bring their sample to the fair at Graham Park. The test takes about 15 minutes, and results will be received within that timeframe. Olmsted County SWCD and OCPHS staff will be available to answer questions and recommend solutions if elevated nitrate levels are detected in water samples.

What is nitrate?

Nitrate is a compound that naturally forms when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone. While nitrogen is essential for all living things, high nitrate levels (10mg/L) in drinking water could pose harmful risks, especially to infants and pregnant women. 

Nitrate can occur naturally in surface and groundwater without causing health problems. However, high nitrate levels in well water often result from improper well construction and location. Improper disposal of human and animal waste or the overuse of chemical fertilizers can further increase nitrate levels. Sources of nitrate that can enter your well include fertilizers, septic systems, animal feedlots, industrial waste, and food processing waste. After flooding, wells could become more vulnerable to contamination, especially if the wells are shallow, poorly constructed, dug or bored, or submerged by floodwater for long periods.

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Media Contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166