Safe Drinking Water for Minnesotans

James Anderson, Barbara Liukkonen and Fred Bergsrud
revised from an earlier publication by Roger Machmeier

Copyright ©  2002  Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Water supplies
• Drinking water sources
• Private wells at risk
• Indicators of health risk
• Secondary contaminants
• Water testing
• When water is unsafe
• Municipal water supplies
• Sources of water quality information
• Interpreting water quality data
• For additional information
• References
• Other related Extension Service publications

Introduction

Safe drinking water is a concern for all Minnesotans. Surface and groundwater contamination are common, but many people do not know what threats contamination poses to drinking water supplies statewide. We need to continue to take action to protect our water resources and become more informed about the safety of drinking water supplies. This publication summarizes the status of water quality across Minnesota, explains how to determine whether domestic water supplies are safe for your family, identifies sources of water quality information, and reviews interpretation of water quality data. It is designed to help local resource managers and educators assist community and rural residents with drinking water concerns.

Although man-made chemicals such as pesticides may get more attention, the most common drinking water contaminants in Minnesota that pose a threat to human health are coliform bacteria and nitrate. Public health professionals consider disease-causing bacteria and viruses a greater potential danger to public health than chemical contamination in Minnesota.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Service, under special project number 91-EWQI-1-9265.

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

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