The Ambient Groundwater Quality Study sampled 77 private drinking water wells over a 20-year period. It characterized groundwater quality and monitored long-term trends in groundwater contamination from natural and human sources.
It is a unique reference resource. While other studies provide snapshots of water quality at a single point in time, this study provides a chronicle of private drinking water well quality over 20 years. It is one of the most comprehensive sets of data about agricultural herbicides in private wells in the state.
The report includes results from 31 municipal wells and summarizes the community-focused well sampling in Burnsville, Greenvale Township, Lakeville, Inver Grove Heights and other studies that have occurred over the same time period.
The study found both natural and manmade chemicals at levels of concern. Of the 77 wells sampled over the course of the study, 62 percent wells contained concentrations of at least one chemical contaminant exceeding current Minnesota Department of Health drinking water guidelines.
1999-2019 Ambient Groundwater Study Final Report
1999-2019 Ambient Groundwater Quality Study Executive Summary
1999-2019 Ambient Groundwater Study Appendices
1999-2003 Ambient Groundwater Quality Study