Community Sampling Results

The Community-Focused Sampling Program, developed as part of the 2020-2030 Groundwater Plan​, provides private well owners with water testing from both outdoor and indoor faucets. at no cost to the homeowner. Dakota County aims to offer all private well owners a free water test at least once over the next five years.

​Dakota County is committed to assisting private well owners in having their drinking water tested, understanding their testing results, and finding and using appropriate water treatments.

The water is tested for contaminants that present health or ecological concerns, such as chloride, nitrate, arsenic, manganese and lead. Water is tested by a certified laboratory, and results are given to private well owners, city and township leaders, and other interested parties. Results help educate private well owners, so their drinking water meets health guidelines.

Cities and townships sampling schedule

The schedule of well water sampling provides testing to roughly an equal number of households every year. Communities that hadn't been offered free water testing were prioritized,  followed by how long since testing had been offered or if the community had particular drinking water quality concerns.

2016 - Com​pleted

City of Inver Grove Heights​

2018 - Completed

City of Burnsville​

2019 - Completed

Greenvale Township
City of Lakeville

2020 - Completed

City of Apple Valley
City of Coates
Douglas Township
City of Eagan
City of Hampton
City of Hastings*​ 
Marshan Township
City of Miesville
City of New Trier
City of Northfield (in Dakota County)*
City of Randolph*
City of Rosemount
City of Vermillion

*Due to the limited number of participants, the data will be included in a later report. 

2021 -Completed

Empire Township
Hampton Township
City of Lilydale
City of Mendota
City of Mendota Heights
Nininger Township
City of South St. Paul
City of Sunfish Lake
Vermillion Township
Waterford Township
City of West St Paul

2022 – Sampling in progress

Ravenna Township
Castle Rock Township
Sciota Township
Randolph Township​​

2023 – Planned (subject to funding and final workplan approval)