Private well owners in northwestern Minnesota can receive a free water-testing kit and groundwater education through the Well Aware program. The program is part of the Northwest Minnesota Groundwater Initiative that provides free testing for contaminants such as nitrates, bacteria, lead, and arsenic; interprets the results; and offers treatment options.
The Well Aware partners are the West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the White Earth Reservation, the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center, Northwest RSDP, and Polk, Norman, and Mahnomen County Public Health.
The initiative took root in 2024 during a meeting of the natural resources work group for the University of Minnesota Extension Northwest Regional Sustainability Development Partnership (RSDP) in Crookston, where participants realized the lack of regional programs or educational workshops focused on groundwater protection. “The Well Aware program came into existence probably about a year and a half ago from a group of us through the Natural Resource Work Group from the Regional Sustainability Development Partnership through the Minnesota Extension,” said Nicole Bernd, West Polk SWCD manager. ”We just started talking about groundwater and our well water and at that point in time we realized there wasn’t a lot of information out there or provided regarding the groundwater up here in northwest Minnesota so we put our heads together and talked about well can this group do something in regards to that and from that conversation of five of us, the program took off.”
The program delivers services through community water-testing clinics where residents can pick up free test kits, receive on-site nitrate testing, and learn about groundwater and water quality. The group formed a steering committee and developed a strategic plan for what eventually became the Northwest Minnesota Groundwater Initiative. Well Aware emerged as the initiative’s signature program. “Our funding is not a state program. We actually are out looking for funding resources, as an example, the Healthy Homes Grant through Public Health, the One Watershed, One Plan Watershed-based Implementation Fund, and we still continue to look for funding opportunities,” said Bernd. “We have found out that by purchasing these kits, and they’re no charge to the well owner, tends to have more of a response. You know, $125, which it is now, can be a lot of money for some people. So we have been able to successfully find that funding to purchase these kits and then have those available at these clinics for handout.”
Residents collect water samples from their private wells and then return the kits for laboratory testing. If you want a free well testing kit, Bernd said you should contact the West Polk SWCD. “They can go ahead and contact me at the office as right now we’re planning for our next clinic to be up in Roseau,” said Bernd. “Even if they’re not from Roseau County, they can certainly still come up there where the clinic is located to get this free kit.”
Arsenic is a significant concern in the region. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) data show naturally occurring arsenic has been detected in groundwater across parts of northwestern Minnesota, particularly in private wells. “You should know what you’re drinking. It’s very important what you’re drinking out of your faucet, your tap,” said Bernd. “It’s also very important to know if there are elements in there. Our purpose in this is to educate and also to find those mitigation or remedies of maybe you need an RO system, maybe you need a different type of filter system. It’s a service that we are providing to the public up here in northwest Minnesota.”
MDH maintains public maps documenting where arsenic has been detected in private wells statewide and Bernd said it is important for well owners to be informed. “Educate yourself. Educate, educate, educate,” said Bernd. “Look and see what kind of elements may be in your water, what type of elements that affect humans, and just educate yourself on the types of elements that may be in your water. Due to the fact that we don’t know exactly what’s underground.”
To get a free Well Aware water-testing kit, stop by the West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District at 528 Strander Avenue in Crookston, or call 218-281-6070.
