Safe Drinking Water
is Essential
What We're Offering
Free drinking water analysis to well owners. These tests are to answer one question: is my water safe to drink? We test for the primary health contaminants that the Minnesota Department of Health recommends: Total Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead, and Manganese.
These water tests are being offered at no cost thanks to grant funding from the American Express Shop Small® Grant Program, made possible by American Express and Main Street America. Free testing will be available throughout August and September, or while supplies last.
Why We're Doing It
Unlike residents connected to city water, well owners have very little assistance but all of the responsibility of ensuring and keeping their water supply safe. Most of the time people aren’t sure what to test, how to do it, or it feels too cost prohibitive.
We want to help remove some of these obstacles by providing a free water analysis with guidance on what to test and how to do it, empowering more well owners to know exactly what they’re drinking.
The Process
1. Receive a sampling kit
For more information on the different ways you can receive a kit, please see “How to get a kit” below.
2. Collect the samples following the provided instructions
To see a how-to video, please click here: Instruction Video
3. Return the samples within 24 hours
Samples MUST be returned within 24 hours of collection, on ice. You can either drop them off at our lab in Hopkins, with a staff member at the county fair booth, or you can ship it back to us (this would incur a $30 fee)
4. Receive emailed results
Your results will be emailed to you within 3-4 weeks. If you’d like a mailed copy as well please inquire with a lab member and we’ll be sure to mail a paper copy to you.
Additional Assistance
If you have additional questions after receiving your results, contact us and a team member can assist you. You can also talk to a local water treatment company that can give you details on how your results translate to a treatment system.
Getting Started - Pick Up a Kit
We have several options to make it as convenient as possible. Click on the image for more information.
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At our Lab
617 13th Ave S, Hopkins, MN 55343
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Our lab is located at 617 13th Ave South, Hopkins, MN
- Take a kit from the blue sample box right outside our front door. Kits are available for pick-up 24/7. Be sure to grab the kit that says “County Fair Program”
Steele County Fair
1525 S Cedar Ave, Owatonna, MN
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Stop by our booth and we'll give you the kit that you need!
- Dates of the fair are August 18 - August 23.
- We are located at: 4 Seasons Centre. Booth number coming soon!
Mailed
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We'd be happy to ship you a kit to you. Follow the link below
Dakota County Fair
4008 220th St W, Farmington, MN
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Stop by our booth and we'll give you the kit that you need!
- Dates of the fair are August 10 - August 16.
- We are located at: South of the Craft Beer Garden and West of the Art Building (Find a map here!)
FAQ
Q: When can I receive my free test kits?
A: Free test kits are only valid during the month of August and September
Q: What is in the test kit?
A: Sterile sample containers, instructions on how to collect your sample(s), and alcohol wipes
Q: What tests are included?
A: Total Coliform Bacteria, Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead, & Manganese
Q: How long will it take to get results?
A: 3-4 weeks
Q: How do you test for these items?
A: We use MDH approved methods. Click here to see our certificate and scope of accreditation.
Q: What if I have a “failed” or elevated test?
A: We recommend treating it and retesting to ensure your treatment was successful. You are able to do one free retest for the failed contaminant.
Q: Do you share our results with the state?
A: The only person that receives your results is you. We take client confidentiality very seriously and do not release results to anyone besides the client themselves.