How can I find out about the quality of groundwater in my area?

• Brief groundwater-quality summaries by Minnesota region can be found on the FAQs about groundwater page.
• The Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment Program (GWMAP) published reports (1991-2001) that summarize the results of statewide or regional groundwater monitoring programs. You can also review the water quality analyses for individual wells and see the data summarized on statewide maps.
• The data presented in the statewide baseline groundwater monitoring report come from wells located throughout the state. However, since Minnesota is so large, it is unlikely you will find ground-water quality information from a well sampled by GWMAP at the exact location of your interest. Nonetheless, you may be able to estimate the quality of typical groundwater in your area by reviewing the analyses of water collected from the nearest wells in the same aquifer (or at a similar depth.) Please remember that the quality of groundwater at your specific location of interest may be very different than what is found in nearby wells.
  • GWMAP baseline data
  • In 2003, the MPCA re-established an ambient groundwater monitoring effort. For more information about current monitoring activities, see the Ambient Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment Web page.

What are Minnesota's groundwater quality standards?

In the majority of the cases, the MPCA uses the health risk limits (HRLs) set by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). These standards are available from the MDH by calling 651-215-0880 or 800-657-3908. However, individual MPCA regulatory programs may apply the HRLs differently depending on their program objectives or the situation. Contact the appropriate MPCA program for more specific information.

• Health Risk Limit Rules for Groundwater (Minnesota Dept of Health)
• Programs: A to Z List

What potential sources of groundwater contamination are in your area?

You can find out if there is a known tank leak, Superfund cleanup site, landfill or other potential source of groundwater contamination in your area by using search forms for the Minnesota Superfund Program or the Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) Program. You can find additional information for programs that may have sites of environmental concern in your area on the Cleanup page.

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If you want to contact a project manager, hydrogeologist, etc., for a particular clean-up site in the Twin Cities metro area, call Dianne Mitzuk at telephone 651-757-2573 for a referral. If you are concerned about a site outside of the Twin Cities metro area, we suggest that you call staff that do clean up work at one of our MPCA Offices.    

Who do I contact for information about septic tank systems?

For assistance with septic tanks or injection of other wastes from buildings (not cleaning up contamination), contact the appropriate MPCA district office and ask for the Individual Sewage Treatment System (ISTS) staff person. You may also call the MPCA ISTS information line at telephone 612-282-6246 or call 800-657-3864 and ask to be connected to the ISTS information line. For online information, please visit the Individual Sewage Treatment Systems page.

• MPCA Offices
• Minnesota's Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Program (SSTS)

Who (or what program) should I contact about a certain type of groundwater contamination?

Based on where you believe the contamination originated, choose from the options listed below:

• Spills or emergency response: contact the MPCA Public Safety Duty Officer Hotline at 651-649-5451 or 800- 422-0798 (24 hour response number).
• Aboveground storage tanks: contact the MPCA at 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864, and ask for Tanks and Emergency Response staff.
• Underground storage tanks: contact the MPCA at 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864, and ask for Tanks and Emergency Response staff.
• Septic systems: See details in the Septic Tank Systems FAQ above.
• Dumps or Landfills: 651-757-2753.
• Animal Feedlots: Feedlot Helpline 800-657-3864 or (when calling from the Metro area) 651-296-6300.
• Agricultural Chemicals: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Agronomy Services (General #) 651-296-6121 or chemical spill or release emergency response: contact the MPCA Public Safety Duty Officer Hotline at 651-649-5451 or 800-422-0798 (24-hour response number).
• Residential or unknown source of contamination: 651-757-2753 or 651-757-2287, in the Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup Program (VIC).
• If none of these programs appears appropriate, you may want to review the list of MPCA Programs related to groundwater.

Please note: Some groundwater contamination issues may fall under the jurisdiction of both the MPCA and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

• MDH Well Management Program: 651-201-4600 or 800-383-9808
• MDH Drinking Water Source Protection Program: 651-201-4700
• Minnesota Department of Health - Groundwater

How can I find out who owns a particular monitoring well?

For newer wells, look for a six-digit number that appears on an aluminum tag attached to the outside of the well casing. That number is called the Minnesota Unique Well Number. Then, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-215-0811 or 800- 383-9808 to find out who owns the well. A secondary option is to call your local county government office (try asking for the recorders office) and ask them to look for the well in the County Well Index database. Another option is to contact the Minnesota Geological Survey at 612-627-4784. You can also visit their web site for the County Well Index. If the above options prove ineffective, call the MPCA main switchboard at 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864.

• Minnesota Geological Survey
• County Well Index Online

How do I construct a legal monitoring well? Does Minnesota have well construction rules?

Contact the Minnesota Department of Health's Well Management Section at 651-201-4600 or (800) 383-9808. They can give you information on well specifications. They also have a rules handbook with specific guidelines about monitoring wells and borings.