The Community-Focused Sampling Program, developed as part of the 2020-2030 Groundwater Plan, provides private well owners with free water testing from both outdoor and indoor faucets. Dakota County aims to provide all private well owners a free water test at least once over the next five years. This sampling does not include bacteria testing. Find out if your community will have an opportunity for free testing.
Bacteria and other testing can be done through the following options.
Water testing options due to COVID-19
Drop off sample
This option is only for prepaid sample kits from the lab. Sample packets that were mailed out or picked up prior to the pandemic will not be accepted or tested.
Dakota County is offering sample drop off at the Western Service Center only. Complete the online water test order form and purchase a water test kit using the sample drop-off option. Once you have completed the form and paid for the sample kit, a sample packet will be mailed to you from the lab.
Follow the directions in the packet for sample collection and drop off.
Samples can be dropped off at the Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley. In the atrium, there is a small refrigerator located near the elevators. Place the samples and paperwork in the box from the lab and place the box in the refrigerator. If you are requesting a bacteria test, this is the preferred method for sample delivery.
Samples for bacteria should be collected after noon on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning and can be dropped off in the refrigerator Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning before 9 a.m. If the testing does not include bacteria, the samples can be dropped off any time during open hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
To receive a test kit for sample drop off, complete the online water test order form.
Once a sample kit has shipped from the laboratory a refund cannot be issued.
Mail in sample
To receive a mail in sample kit, complete the online water test order form.
Once a sample kit has shipped from the laboratory a refund cannot be issued.
If you order a coliform bacteria test for a mail in sample, it will likely exceed the ideal holding time of 30 hours. The lab will still test the sample.
The online order form allows you to select the contaminants you'd like to test for and pay online. A sample kit will be mailed to you from the laboratory in 7-10 business days. The kit will contain sample bottles, instructions, forms and a postage prepaid mailer to return the sample to the lab. Test results will be emailed to you from Dakota County with information explaining the results and any recommendations.
For questions on what to test for or the online order process, please call 952-891-7000 or email dcwatertestrequest@co.dakota.mn.us.
Find out more about these drinking water contaminants.
This site will be updated as other testing and drop-off options become available.
Annual water testing
Residents can conduct annual water testing through the county. Water testing is an inexpensive and effective way of assuring a safe and healthy water supply.
Water testing is required when there is a property transaction that includes any potable wells. When there is a property transaction, Dakota County requires that water samples be collected by an independent third party (County personnel, agent of a certified lab, well contractor or septic system compliance inspector).
State and local health authorities recommend that private drinking water supplies are tested annually for total coliform bacteria and nitrate.
Get a test kit
Residents interested in water testing can order a water test kit online.
The test kit consists of two bottles — one for coliform bacteria testing and one for all other testing.
Cost of testing
Residents are responsible for the cost of tests. You are mailing your sample to a state-certified laboratory to test for the following contaminants, as you request:
- Coliform bacteria – $18*
- Nitrate – $18
- Manganese – $18
- Arsenic – $18
- Lead – $18
- Fluoride – $18
- Shipping and handling –$15
* If you order a coliform bacteria test for a mail in sample, it will likely exceed the ideal holding time of 30 hours. The lab will still test the sample.
Find out more about these drinking water contaminants.
If you are interested in other potential contaminant testing, please call 952-891-7000 or dcwatertestrequest@co.dakota.mn.us.
Collecting your own sample
Carefully follow the water sample collection instructions inside the test kit. You can also see instructional videos on how to collect the sample: