Data Categories:Water
Data Source:MN Dept. of Agriculture
Update Fequency:As Needed
Date Acquired:01/13/2025
Data Available:Yes
Metadata Available:yes
Tags:nitrate, Water, wells
This data layer displays the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) assessment of nitrate conditions at the township scale as part of the Township Testing Program. Final results represent wells that are potentially impacted by a fertilizer source. Nitrate-Nitrogen concentrations were measured in private drinking wells in townships that have high row crop productions or are vulnerable to groundwater contamination due to local soil types or geology. If nitrate was detected during initial testing, follow-up tests and assessments were offered and completed by the MDA. Final results were compiled using a process to remove wells with potential construction defects and those near non-fertilizer sources of nitrate. Townships with less than 20 tested wells are separately categorized due to an inadequate sampling size. The Health Risk Limit for Nitrate-Nitrogen in wells is 10 mg/L.