Water Tests
Washington County Public Health & Environment will begin accepting Water Test samples at the Government Center in Stillwater.
- Samples are accepted on Tuesday's between 8:15 – 10:30 am.
- Accepting cash or check. If paying cash, you
must
have exact change. Credit/Debit cards are not accepted.
Well Water Testing Services
Private well water users should test their water regularly to ensure clean water. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends well users test their water for coliform bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, and manganese. The Department of Public Health and Environment provides well water testing services to county residents for a modest fee.Get a Test Kit
To order a test kit contact the department by calling 651-430-6655 or by email. The following fees must be paid when you submit your sample to the department. All test fees are subject to change.Recommended Water Test | Fee |
---|---|
Standard Drinking Water Test (Coliform Bacteria and Nitrate) | $45 |
Coliform Bacteria | $22.50 |
Nitrate | $22.50 |
Arsenic | $39* |
Lead | $39* |
Manganese | $39* |
** This test requires a special sampling container.
Understand Your Results
Results from the department’s testing services are mailed within 7-10 days. Please contact Public Health and Environment (651-430-6655 or email) or MDH (651-201-4600 or email) with any further questions about your results. Additionally, MDH’s Well Testing, Results and Options website contains information about contaminant levels that can be harmful in drinking water and what you can do to protect your household’s health.Special Water Test Fees
Test | Fee |
---|---|
Fluoride | $39 |
Hardness | $57* |
Iron | $39 |
Iron Bacteria | $77 |
Sodium | $39* |
Sulfate | $39 |
PFAS:
Due to the need to prioritize sampling being conducted by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the county has suspended fee-for-service PFAS testing. For more information on MDH’s response, please see this website. MDH can help you with well testing for PFAS if you are in the sampling area. You can look at the MPCA Interactive Map to see if you are within this area. Please use the MDH Well Sampling Request Form to submit your request.VOCs:
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (including trichloroethylene or TCE) is still currently available. Call the department at 651-430-6655 and a Sampling Request Form will be mailed or emailed to you. A VOC sample is $170. After you request the test, county staff will come out to your property to take the sample and send it to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for analysis. Results and a description of what they mean will be mailed to you from MDH approximately six to eight weeks from the date of sampling.Additional Well Water Information
- Accredited Labs in MN Accepting Water Samples from Private Well Owners (MDH)
- Well Owners Handbook (MDH)
- Well Disinfection and Disinfecting Flooded Private Wells (MDH)
Drop Off Locations
-
Stillwater - Room 4600
Tuesdays
8:15 am - 10:30 am