Free onsite nitrate testing gives fast, clear results



department of agriculture


*For Immediate Release*




*Media Contact:*

Cynthia Moothart

651-420-2637

[email protected]




Aug. 10, 2026

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More than 125 Farm Families Test Private Wells at MDA's Farmfest Clinic


Free onsite nitrate testing gives fast, clear results

*St. Paul, Minn.: *More than 125 farm families had their private well water tested for nitrate at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) onsite clinic during Farmfest 2026. The free testing service was part of the MDA’s exhibit at the event, held annually at the Historic Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.

Nitrate levels above 1 mg/L are considered elevated, and those above 10 mg/L are known to be harmful, especially for infants and pregnant women. Recent studies also suggest that long‑term exposure to nitrate in drinking water—even below 10 mg/L—may increase the risk of prematurity, birth defects, thyroid problems, and colorectal cancer.


Five samples tested at Farmfest were above the health standard. In such cases, the MDA recommends that residents have their water tested by a certified lab to verify results and offers potential solutions, including installing a reverse osmosis or distillation system and drilling a new well. 

Nitrate contamination is one of the most common threats to rural drinking water. It is invisible, odorless, and tasteless and more likely in areas with sandy soils, karst terrain, or fractured bedrock, where contaminants can move quickly underground. Wells that are shallow, aging, or damaged face the highest risk.

Unlike municipal water systems—which are monitored, treated, and regulated—it is up to private well owners to test. A quick nitrate test is one of the most effective steps families can take to understand their drinking water and protect their health. Nitrate levels can change over time, even in wells that have been safe in the past. Because groundwater conditions shift gradually and can be influenced by weather, soil type, and land use, the only reliable way to know your current water quality is to test annually.

Participants received results in less than five minutes, and no personal information was collected.

“When more than a hundred families show up to test their drinking water, it tells you how important this is to people,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “They want straight answers, and these clinics give them that right away.”

For those who couldn’t attend Farmfest but would like to have their private wells tested, the MDA and local partners are offering free nitrate testing clinics across Minnesota throughout the summer and fall. Interested residents should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District to see if a clinic is scheduled in their area.

The MDA and partner organizations test about 2,500 well samples annually at clinics across the state, helping well users understand their water quality, track changes over time, and consider treatment options when needed.

Protecting Minnesota’s water resources has been a defining priority of the Walz administration, reflected in sustained support for practical, locally driven conservation. A cornerstone of that work is MAWQCP, which has certified more than 1.3 million acres of farmland in practices that reduce runoff, protect waterways, and strengthen long‑term soil health. This progress demonstrates the administration’s commitment to safeguarding Minnesota’s natural resources while supporting farmers and rural communities.

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