Free nitrate testing on April 11 at Oxbow Park We are Water MN exhibit
Private well users can bring a water sample to the event
As part of the ongoing We Are Water MN exhibit at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, the Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) will offer free nitrate testing for private well users. The event will take place Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the nature center.
Residents who rely on private wells for their drinking water are encouraged to stop by and have their water tested at no cost. This opportunity supports the We Are Water MN exhibit’s goal of helping Minnesotans better understand and protect the water resources that sustain their communities.
This clinic is being offered in partnership with TAP-IN and We are Water MN, with financial support through Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund.
How to participate
Participants should collect approximately one cup of water from their well and place it in a glass container. Bring the sample directly to the testing event at the Oxbow Park nature center. The nitrate test takes about 15 minutes, and staff will provide results on-site.
Olmsted SWCD and OCPHS employees will be available to answer questions, discuss potential treatment options, and offer guidance if elevated nitrate levels are detected.
Why nitrate testing matters
Nitrate is a naturally occurring compound formed when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone. While nitrogen is essential for life, high nitrate levels (10 mg/L or more) in drinking water can pose health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women.
Although nitrate can enter groundwater naturally, elevated concentrations are more often linked to human activity or vulnerable wells. Common sources include:
- Fertilizers.
- Septic systems.
- Animal feedlots.
- Industrial waste.
- Food processing waste.
Wells that are shallow, poorly constructed, or impacted by flooding are at higher risk of contamination.
We Are Water MN exhibit
The free water testing event is part of a series of programs offered during the We Are Water MN exhibit, hosted at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo through April 20, 2026. The statewide traveling exhibit invites visitors to explore Minnesota’s water stories through interactive displays, science, and community engagement.
To learn more about the exhibit and other scheduled events, visit the Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo Facebook page or the Olmsted County Parks and Trails programs webpage.