Minnesota Private Well Protection Grant

health.privatewells@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Health is offering funding for private well outreach, education, and testing to ensure safe drinking water for private well users.

Expected outcomes:

• Offer no-cost water testing for 5 different water contaminants to at least 10% of the county population whose main source of drinking water is from a private well
• Establish a baseline of deidentified private well water testing data which will be aggregated and publicly available
• Use aggregated and publicly available private well water testing data to focus outreach and public health efforts
• Promote education and outreach offerings around private wells in Minnesota to encourage well water testing, maintenance, and awareness
• Build local capacity for supporting private well users
• Support private well users to protect the health of their families

Projects must include:

• Outreach and education efforts to diverse groups of private well users about private well testing
• No-cost private well testing through an accredited laboratory for 5 common contaminants (coliform bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, and manganese) within a defined area with a one test per household/well limit, this includes multiple homes with a shared well
• Provide technical assistance and mitigation information to private well users so they understand their arsenic, coliform bacteria, lead, manganese, and/or nitrate results and potential options to address water quality issues
• Process for collecting water quality testing data including the corresponding unique well ID number or location if available

Priority will be given to expectant parents and families with an infant under 1 year of age; however, the program will not bar other private well owners from being offered services during the grant period.

Eligible applicants are county and tribal units of government working in Minnesota. This could include a Community Health Board, county soil and water conservation district (SWCD), local public health office, county environmental services, and other entities related to county or tribal unit of government who may work with private well users.

Collaboration with at least 1 partner is required, and multiple partnerships are encouraged. Partners can include but are not limited to:

• Soil/water conservation district
• Local public health
• Nonprofit organizations or non-governmental organizations related to water quality or public health
• Watershed districts
• Environmental services, including local government services
• Accredited water testing laboratories
• Medical professionals
• Schools
• Water treatment professionals
• Licensed well and boring contractors
• Tribal governments and colleges
• Other county government entities

Funding limits by county

Project period: August 15, 2026 - May 1, 2029
Estimated total program funding: $3,500,000

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the application form are available on the program website.

Email completed applications to Anne Nelson.

Question and answer sessions:

• June 1, 2026
  10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Central
• June 18, 2026
  9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Central
• June 29, 2026
  9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Central