If you are interested in contaminant testing that you do not see listed below, please call 952-891-7000 or dcwatertestrequest@co.dakota.mn.us.
Free water testing
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 coming up.
Free coliform bacteria test is also available if your well is flooded.
Bacteria and other testing can be done through the following options.
Other water testing options
For our pre-paid sample kits, test results will be emailed to you from Dakota County with information explaining the results and any recommendations.
- Coliform bacteria — $21
- Nitrate — $21
- Manganese — $21
- Arsenic — $21
- Lead — $21
- Fluoride — $21
Find out more about drinking water contaminants.
Pre-paid drop off sample kit
This option involves ordering a kit from the lab using the link below. Only a recently ordered test kit (no household bottles) will be accepted. If you are requesting a bacteria test, this is the preferred method for sample delivery.
Complete the online water test order form, select the contaminants you wish to test for and select the “Sample Drop off" option. Once you have completed the form and paid for the sample kit, a sample kit will be mailed to you from the lab. Follow the directions in the kit for sample collection and drop off.
Samples can only 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.
Samples for bacteria should be collected after noon on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning and should be dropped off in the refrigerator immediately after sampling. If samples are collected Wednesday morning, they must be dropped off 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.
Pre-paid mail in sample kits
Complete the online water test order form, select the contaminants you wish to test for and select the “Sample Return Shipping" option. Once you have completed the form and paid for the sample kit, a sample kit will be mailed to you from the lab. Follow the directions in the kit for sample collection and return mailing.
If you order a coliform bacteria test for a mail in sample, it will likely exceed the holding time of 30 hours. The lab will still test the sample, but the results will not be valid.
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.
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: