On December 16, 1974, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public.  The SDWA applies to all public water supply systems including municipal water utilities and wells that serve mobile home parks, schools, churches and office buildings.  A home or cabin well system is not a public water system.  See Minnesota’s Safe Drinking Water Act 40th Anniversary video (YouTube; 6:43).

Since 1972, the Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services Department has provided water testing and advice to owners of private wells. Private well owners are encouraged to test the safety of their water annually by picking up a test kit at their city hall or the Anoka County Environmental Services office (Suite 360, 2100 Third Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303). For more information call the Environmental Services office at 763-422-7063.

Water Spot on: Wellhead Protection. Wellhead Protection is a way to prevent drinking water contamination by managing potential sources of pollution in the area near public wells. Much can be done to prevent water pollution, such as the wise use of land and chemicals. Public health is protected and expense of treating polluted water or drilling new wells is avoided though wellhead protection efforts.

If you would like to find out more about Wellhead Protection contact your municipal water utilities department or call the MDH Source Water Protection Unit at 651-201-4700.

Private Well Owner. If your drinking water comes from a private well – you are encouraged to test the water annually to be certain that it is, and remains, safe to drink. For information on testing your private well contact the Anoka County Environmental Services at 763-422-7063.