Water Tests
Washington County Public Health & Environment will begin accepting Water Test samples at the Government Center in Stillwater.
- Samples are accepted on Tuesday, between 8:15 – 10:30 am.
- Accepted payments are cash or check.
If paying cash, you must have exact change.
Credit and debit cards are not accepted.
The Minnesota Department of Health maintains a list of Accredited Labs in Minnesota Accepting Samples from Private Well Owners, as well as a Licensed Well Contractor Directory that can be contacted for associated services. Please call 651-430-6655 or email with any questions.
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 MDH provides well water testing services to county residents for a modest fee.
Get a Test Kit
Click here to order a test kit or 651-430-6655. The following fees must be paid when you submit your sample to the department.
| 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* |
* The water drawn for these tests must not go through a water softener.
** This test requires a special sampling container.
Understand Your Results
Results from the department’s testing services are mailed within 7-10 days.
With further questions about your results, please contact PHE at 651-430-6655 or email PHE, or contact MDH at 651-201-4600 or email MDH.
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 |
*The water drawn for these tests must not go through a water softener.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (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.
Find more information on MDH's response to PFAS. 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.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (including trichloroethylene or TCE) is still currently available. Complete a Sampling Request Form (PDF) and mail form with payment to 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082.
A VOC sample is $175. 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.