Free Nitrate Testing for SE Minnesota Well Owners

Stewartville Community Center, South Side Parking Lot

Thursday, April 8 from 2 - 7 p.m.

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Safe drinking water is a growing concern, especially for private well owners in SE Minnesota. On Thursday, April 8th from 2 – 7 p.m. at the Stewartville Civic Center, we will provide free water testing for households that rely on their own private systems and the water quality at their kitchen sink. This free testing clinic is sponsored by “We Are Water – Rochester” and will be held during National Public Health Week to highlight the importance of safe and healthy communities.

If you would like to participate, simply collect a cup of water from your well in a clean plastic bag or glass container and bring to the Stewartville Civic Center.  For this COVID-19-safe event, someone will meet you at your car, check-in your sample, analyze the sample inside while you wait in your car, and provide you with the results immediately.

To help us better understand your water, you may also bring a picture of your well and your water treatment system.  If you have a treatment system, take one sample before the treatment (ex. outside hydrant) and one of the treated drinking water (ex. kitchen sink) and you can see how well your treatment works for removing nitrates.

The Minnesota Well Owners Organization and water experts from the area will offer virtual follow-up events where we will be happy to answer your questions about our water resources.

This event is sponsored by “We Are Water MN”, a traveling exhibit across MN. Visitors to the exhibit learn about water issues statewide and in their community. They also reflect on local stories and the meaning and experiences of water in Minnesota with space to add their own stories. Combining learning and sharing in this way strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water and increases participation in water stewardship activities. For more information on the “We Are Water MN” exhibit on display at the Rochester Art Center from March 11 – May 9 and other partnership events in the area, please visit our webpage: https://www.wearewaterrochestermn.com/  

We Are Water MN is funded in part by money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the Clean Water Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

###

Media Contact: Sue Struckmann, Olmsted County Public Works, 507-328-7070, pwservice@co.olmsted.mn.us