Wellhead Protection

On this page:
What is Wellhead Protection?
Specific Requirements for Wellhead Protection
Goal for Wellhead Protection Planning
For More Information

What is Wellhead Protection?

Wellhead Protection is a way to prevent drinking water from becoming polluted by managing potential sources of contamination in the area which supplies water to a public well. Much can be done to prevent pollution, such as the wise use of land and chemicals. Public health is protected and expense of treating polluted water or drilling new wells is avoided though wellhead protection efforts.

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Specific Requirements for Wellhead Protection

Specific wellhead protection requirements vary for the different classifications of public water systems in Minnesota (transient noncommunity, nontransient noncommunity, and community). The requirements for each type of system are described below:

Transient Noncommunity Public Water Systems: Transient noncommunity water systems (such as resorts, restaurants, and churches) are required to delineate a 200-foot radius around the well, known as an inner wellhead management zone, and then inventory and manage potential contaminant sources within the inner wellhead management zone. These are the only required wellhead protection steps for transient noncommunity public water systems (although they are encouraged to pursue additional wellhead protection activities).

Community and Nontransient Noncommunity Public Water Systems: Community and nontransient noncommunity public water systems are required to delineate, inventory, and manage an inner wellhead management zone. Additionally, they must also create a formal wellhead protection plan. The wellhead protection planning process itself is broken down into two parts. Part 1 involves delineation of the wellhead protection area and drinking water supply management area, as well as an assessment of the well(s) vulnerability. Part 2 involves the creation of the wellhead protection plan itself, including goals, objectives, plan of action, evaluation program, and contingency plan.

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Goal for Wellhead Protection Planning

By 2006, all groundwater based community and nontransient noncommunity public water systems will have, at a minimum, begun the wellhead protection planning process.

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For More Information

If you would like to find out more about Wellhead Protection, please contact the MDH Source Water Protection Unit at 651-201-4700.

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For questions about this page, contact the Drinking Water Protection Program: health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us or 651-201-4700. For specific Drinking Water questions, please use the contacts listed on our Contact Us page.