Protect your family’s health by testing your well water today. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) encourages private well owners to test their well water to ensure it is safe for consumption. Regular testing is essential to protect your household’s health and ensure your drinking water is free from harmful contaminants. MDH recommends that private well owners test for nitrate and coliform bacteria annually and arsenic, lead, and manganese at least once. Testing can help identify potential health risks and allow homeowners to take necessary steps to improve water quality.

How to Get Your Well Water Tested

Several sites around the county offer water test kits for public use. The kits test for coliform bacteria, arsenic, nitrate nitrogen, and lead. After testing, RMB Environmental Laboratories in Detroit Lakes will provide results and a report.

Where to Pick Up a Kit:

Fergus Falls: Land & Resource Department and West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District Office

Pelican Rapids: City Hall

Perham: Ace Hardware

Where to Return the Kit:

Fergus Falls: West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District Office

Pelican Rapids: City Hall

Perham: Ace Hardware

A driver will pick up the completed kits and deliver them to the lab. Please confirm courier service availability with RMB Environmental Laboratories. Note: The coliform bacteria test is time-sensitive and must be collected and delivered to the lab on the same day.

Testing Fees & Payment

Testing services require a fee, which must be paid directly to RMB Environmental Laboratories. For current pricing and questions, please contact RMB Labs.

Receiving & Understanding Your Results

Test results and a report will be sent directly to the homeowner. If results indicate contaminants at concerning levels, homeowners are responsible for taking appropriate action. Otter Tail County serves as a test kit distribution point only and does not provide interpretation or remediation services.

Resources

RMB Environmental Laboratories: 218-846-1465 or rmbel.com/get-a-water-test-kit

RMB Labs provides the steps and deadlines needed to test well water properly.

Otter Tail County Housing and Rehabilitation Authority: 218-998-8736 or ottertailcounty.gov/homebuyer-homeowner-programs/

Deferred loans are available to income-eligible homeowners to repair or replace failing or near-failing well systems or to remediate coliform bacteria, arsenic, nitrate nitrogen, and lead.

Minnesota Department of Health: 651-201-4600 or health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/wells/waterquality

Homeowners can find more details on financial assistance and well water safety on the MDH website.