Dakota County received Clean Water Funds from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). This helps ensure safe drinking water for private well users. Private well users in Dakota County could be eligible for financial assistance to address drinking water quality concerns.
The grant provides funding to eligible landowners or renters to:
- Repair or replace a well contaminated with nitrate or bacteria; or
- Buy and install a water treatment system for contaminated wells.
Grant eligibility
To be eligible, the landowner or renter must:
- Use a private well as the primary source of drinking water for a residence in Dakota County
- Meet
USDA Rural Development low-income criteria for the Minnesota Metro Area
- 1-4 people in household — less than $97,800
- 5 or more people in household — less than $129,100
- Well water must exceed an MDH drinking water grant guidelines of any of the following:
- Arsenic - 2 micrograms per liter or higher
- Manganese – 0.100 milligrams per liter or higher
- Nitrate - 10 milligrams per liter or higher
- Coliform Bacteria - positive test result
- Lead – any detection
For more information on eligibility criteria and the application process, see the
Safe Drinking Water Grant Instructions.
Complete an application form
You can also download a copy of the
Safe Drinking Water Grant Application.
Free water tests available
Free test kits are available for private well users if:
- You have not received a free water test kit in the last 5-years, or
- You meet high-risk criteria (e.g., household has pregnant women, infants or children, persons over age 65, or meet low-income criteria).
Test kits will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis while funding is available.
Please fill out the Private Well Water Test Request.
Questions?
Sarah Kamrath
watertreatment@co.dakota.mn.us
952-891-7549