В Карвер-каунти Миннесоты 500 владельцев частных колодцев получат бесплатные анализы воды

In Minnesota, approximately 1.2 million people rely on private wells for their drinking water. There are a few thousand residences in Carver County that are on wells — pretty much everyone who lives in a township and isn’t on city water, according to the Carver County Water Management Organization. Unlike public water systems, private wells are not monitored or maintained by government agencies. The responsibility for testing, treating, and maintaining a private well rests entirely with the homeowner. Currently, only about 20% of private well owners regularly test their water, according to water quality experts. Twin City Water Clinic, a small family-owned laboratory in Hopkins, Minn., recently received a grant to help private well owners better understand their drinking water quality by testing for primary health contaminants. The grant includes free testing for the five contaminants that the Minnesota Department of Health recommends for private well owners: total coliform bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, and manganese. The free tests are being offered through August and September to 500 residents. “Our goal is to increase awareness and encourage more Minnesotans to test their well water, since this is one of the most important steps they can take to protect their family’s health,” said Mollie Schmieg, third-generation owner of Twin City Water Clinic, which has been testing water for over 60 years. Schmieg grew up near Victoria and is a 2012 graduate of Waconia Schools, so she said, “water quality in Carver County has always been close to my heart.” “We are committed to helping raise awareness about safe drinking water and making it easier for well owners to take the first step toward understanding what’s in their water.,” Schmieg adds. She notes that approximately 60% of Minnesota’s groundwater contains manganese, 48% contains arsenic, and 4% contains nitrates. Elevated levels of any of these can pose significant health risks, so understanding the water’s composition is very important. Schmieg also points out that normally well testing can cost around $275. The Carver County Water Management Organization has well water test kits available at many offices through RMB labs which charges $180-$200 for testing the five contaminants, according to senior outreach specialist Madeline Seveland. Private well-owners who want to take advantage of free testing can find out more information at twincitywaterclinic.com/free, or contact Mollie Schmieg at 612-418-5729.