The Hastings Area Nitrate Study (Phase I) was conducted from 1999 through 2003. It determined the extent and sources of nitrate contamination problems in Hastings and the surrounding areas. One quarter of the private wells tested exceeded the drinking water standard for nitrate (10 milligrams per liter) and another quarter contained higher levels of nitrate (3-10 milligrams per liter). Nitrate can come from a variety of sources, but the study found it to be related with row crop agriculture. The Vermillion River was found to play a role in moving contaminated water downstream.
In 2007, Dakota County conducted Phase II of the project to prevent future groundwater contamination within the Vermillion River Watershed. Dakota County led the project with:
- University of Minnesota Extension
- Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- U. S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service
- City of Hastings
See the
Hastings Area Nitrate Study and
Figures.