Drinking Water

Clean and safe drinking water is an important part of a healthy home environment. Although most drinking water in Minnesota is safe, it is possible for water to be contaminated by bacteria, nitrate, lead, arsenic or other chemicals. It is important to know the source of your water and whether it needs to be tested.

Properly constructed and maintained private water wells can provide a plentiful and safe supply of water. However, some private wells may be vulnerable to contamination, particularly if poorly constructed, damaged (e.g. lawnmower or snowplow running into the well casing), or located near a contamination source. If you have a private well, you should test it periodically to determine if your water is safe for drinking. For more information, see Test Your Private Well Water. Wells that are no longer in use should be properly sealed. You may contact a licensed well contractor to evaluate, repair, or seal an existing well or construct a new well. For further information contact the Well Management Section.

Public water systems (such as municipal water utilities, rural water systems, and manufactured home parks) are required by law to test their water regularly and must supply safe drinking water. Testing results are available from your public water system in the form of an annual Consumer Confidence Report. For more information, see Monitoring and Testing Drinking Water in Minnesota or contact the Drinking Water Protection Section.

Whether your water comes from a private well or public water system, it is recommended that you run the water for 30 to 60 seconds before using it for drinking. This will help reduce lead levels because water that may have been in contact with lead-containing plumbing materials for an extended period of time is flushed out. For more information, see Let It Run . . . and Get the Lead Out.

Related Links

Minnesota Department of Health

• Chemicals and Hazards
• Drinking Water Annual Reports
• Groundwater and Your Health (Health Risk Limits)
• Hazardous Substances and Sites
• Directory of Licensed/Registered Well Contractors (Well Management)

Minnesota Pollution Control

• What’s In My Neighborhood

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Drinking Water Contaminants

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