Characterizing Nitrate Levels in Private Drinking Water Wells-Central Sands Region
M.L. 2019: (b) $2,585,000 the first year and $2,585,000 the second year are for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices; assessing best management practice adoption; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; grants to support agricultural demonstration and implementation activities, including research activities at the Rosholt Research Farm; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2024.
Brett Dailey, Chair
Ken Berg, Vice Chair
Bruce Juntunen, Secretary
Nancy Benson, Treasurer
Tom Schulz, Public Relations
M.L. 2019: (b) $2,585,000 the first year and $2,585,000 the second year are for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices; assessing best management practice adoption; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; grants to support agricultural demonstration and implementation activities, including research activities at the Rosholt Research Farm; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2024.
- Number of wells monitored through the Central Sands monitoring network
- Number of counties participating in the Central Sands monitoring network
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations between 3 and 10 mg/L of nitrate
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations greater than the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L
In 2020,
- 316 private drinking water well were monitored through the Central Sands monitoring network
- 13 counties participated in the Central Sands monitoring network
- 90.2% of wells had nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L
- 7.6% of wells had nitrate concentrations between 3 and 10 mg/L of nitrate
- 2.2% of wells had nitrate concentrations greater than the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L
M.L. 2017 (b) $2,085,000 the first year and $2,086,000 the second year are for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices; assessing best management practice adoption; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; grants to support agricultural demonstration and implementation activities; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022.
- Number of wells monitored through the Central Sands monitoring network
- Number of counties participating in the Central Sands monitoring network
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations between 3 and 10 mg/L of nitrate
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations greater than the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L
In 2019: A total of 305 private drinking water wells were sampled for nitrate in 14 different counties. Over 89.8% of the wells sampled had nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L, 7.9% of the wells ranged from 3-10 mg/L of nitrate and 2.3% of wells were greater than the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L. On a regional scale, 98% of participating wells have water that is below the Health Risk Limit for nitrate-nitrogen
M.L. 2017: (b) $2,085,000 the first year and $2,086,000 the second year are for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices; assessing best management practice adoption; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; grants to support agricultural demonstration and implementation activities; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022.
- Number of wells monitored through the Central Sands monitoring network
- Number of counties participating in the Central Sands monitoring network
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations between 3 and 10 mg/L of nitrate
- Percentage of wells with nitrate concentrations greater than the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L
Please see most recent year for updated information.
M.L. 2015: (b) $2,586,000 the first year and $2,585,000 the second year are for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation; monitoring for pesticides when nitrate is detected; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices; assessing best management practice adoption; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
- Number of wells monitored through the Central Sands monitoring network
- Number of counties participating in the Central Sands monitoring network
- Reduction in nitrate concentrations in private wells within the Central Sands network
- Total dollars or percentage of funds awarded in contracts to local government partners (Joint Power Agreements)
- Minnesota state agencies are working together to establish and report outcome-based performance measures that monitor the progress and effectiveness of Clean Water Fund activities. This inter-agency group completed a Clean Water Performance Report in 2012, 2014 and 2016. At the heart of this report is a suite of quantifiable performance measures. The Central Sands private well monitoring network will provide data for performance measure EDWOM3: Changes over time in pesticides, nitrates and other key water quality parameters in groundwater, PLM6: Number of local government partners participating in Clean Water funded nitrate monitoring and reduction activities and FM4: Total dollars awarded in grants and contracts to non-state agency partners.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
M.L. 2015: (b) $2,586,000 the first year and $2,585,000 the second year are for monitoring and evaluating trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation; monitoring for pesticides when nitrate is detected; promoting, developing, and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices; assessing best management practice adoption; education and technical support from University of Minnesota Extension; and other actions to protect groundwater from degradation from nitrate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
M.L. 2013: (b) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation, including a substantial increase of monitoring of private wells in cooperation with the commissioner of health, monitoring for pesticides when nitrates are detected, and promoting and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices to protect groundwater from degradation.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
In 2015: A total of 402 well water samples were returned and analyzed. 89% of the wells sampled had nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L, 7% of the wells ranged from 3-10 mg/L and 4% of wells were greater than the drinking water standard of 10mg/L. Sherburne County had the highest percentage of wells (20%) with nitrate-nitrogen concentrations over 10 mg/L.
M.L. 2013: (b) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable to groundwater degradation, including a substantial increase of monitoring of private wells in cooperation with the commissioner of health, monitoring for pesticides when nitrates are detected, and promoting and evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices to protect groundwater from degradation.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
Tom Schulz, Chairperson
Ken Berg, Vice Chairperson
Nancy Benson - Secretary
Melvin Kinnunen - Treasurer
Marvin Runyan, Public Relations
M.L.2011: (b) $850,000 the first year and $850,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in high-risk areas and regionally and to promote and evaluate regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
In 2013: A total of 487 well water samples were returned and analyzed. 89% of the wells sampled had nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L, 8% of the wells ranged from 3-10 mg/L and 3% of wells were greater than the drinking water standard of 10mg/L. Sherburne County had the highest percentage of wells (17%) with nitrate-nitrogen concentrations over 10 mg/L.
M.L.2011: (b) $850,000 the first year and $850,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in high-risk areas and regionally and to promote and evaluate regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
In 2012: A total of 510 well water samples were returned and analyzed. 89% of the wells sampled had nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L, 8% of the wells ranged from 3-10 mg/L and 3% of wells were greater than the drinking water standard of 10mg/L. Sherburne County had the highest percentage of wells (13%) with nitrate-nitrogen concentrations over 10 mg/L. Morrison County had approximately 11 percent of wells over 10 mg/L.
Marvin Runyan, Chairman
Tom Schulz, Vice Chairman
Ken Berg, Secretary
Nancy Benson, Treasurer
Melvin Kinnunen, Public Relations & Information
M.L. 2009: (c) $375,000 the first year and $750,000 the second year are to increase groundwater and drinking water protection from agricultural chemicals, primarily nutrients.
Please see most recent year for updated information.
In 2011: A total of 1,555 well owners returned their well survey and water samples for analysis. Over 88.6% of the wells sampled had nitrate concentrations less than 3 mg/L, 6.8% of the wells ranged from 3-10 mg/L of nitrate and 4.6% of wells were greater than the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L. Nitrate concentrations varied widely over short distances and there was significant local variability in nitrate concentrations. 555 private well owners agreed to be part of the long-term network.
Marvin Runyan, Chairman
Tom Schulz, Vice Chairman
Ken Berg, Secretary
Nancy Benson, Treasurer
Melvin Kinnunen, Public Relations & Information
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a Joint Powers Agreement with Wadena County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Wadena County SWCD is partnering with 13 counties that make up the "Central Sands" region.
Project Goals:
- Phase 1: The short-term goal is to determine current nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in private wells throughout the Central Sands region and determine areas of concern.
- Phase 2: The long-term goal is to determine trends; whether nitrate concentrations are increasing, decreasing or staying the same.
All counties in the Central Sands region have been invited to participate in a county-wide private well network. When a well owner agreed to participate, they filled out a survey about their well (construction type, well depth, age, etc) and returned it. Each participant received a sample kit from a certified lab with instructions on how to take the sample and where to send it for analysis.
This monitoring network provide a better understanding of nitrate trends in the region and is used to educate private well owners about their drinking water. This project will help answer the question: Are nitrate concentrations in private drinking water wells increasing, decreasing or staying the same?
Nitrate is a water soluble molecule that is made up of nitrogen and oxygen. It is naturally occurring in the environment; however at elevated levels it can have negative effects on human health. Nitrate is a common contaminant in Minnesota's groundwater, and in some areas of the state a significant number of private wells have high nitrate-nitrogen levels.Although nitrate occurs naturally, it can also originate from man-made sources such as fertilizer, animal waste, and septic systems.
The monitoring network is distributed across 14 counties. Selection of individual wells was random, and results from this program can be used to make conclusions about nitrate trends in drinking water across the region.A total of 1,555 well owners filled out a survey and sent in a sample to be analyzed for nitrate. The development of a long-term monitoring network is in progress; 502, 487, 434, and 402 of the original 1555 well owners participated in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 respectively.