Wells and Borings Resources

Local Government in Minnesota
An index containing links to known local government units with information on the Internet.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) - Search for Accredited Laboratories
MDH certifies laboratories that provide testing data to government agencies and other organizations, usually for regulatory purposes. MDH certification assures the client that the laboratory uses approved analytical procedures, follows quality assurance/quality control protocols, has properly trained staff, and reports data accurately. Laboratories may be certified for analyzing a specific parameter, such as nitrate-nitrogen, or group of parameters, such as volatile organic chemicals.

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) - Plumbing Code
DLI licenses plumbers and water conditioning contractors/installers and administers the Minnesota Plumbing Code (Minnesota Rules, chapter 4714).

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Waters
DNR Waters manages water resources through a variety of programs. DNR Waters issues permits for the appropriation/use of ground water and surface water in Minnesota.

Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS)
The MGS is a unit of the Newton Horace Winchell School of Earth Sciences in the University of Minnesota and is the repository of geologic information in Minnesota. The MGS publishes circulars, maps, and reports, such as the County Atlas Series, documenting the geology of the state. The MGS also manages the County Well Index, a database of well and boring records.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Program (SSTS)
Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) are commonly known as septic systems. This site contains regulatory information such as rules, laws, and statutes and non-regulatory information such as system siting, design, inspection, pumping, and installation. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency administers the SSTS code (Minnesota Rules, chapter 7080).

• Homeowners Information - Keep your septic system healthy
• Septic Disclosure Information - A Guide to Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Disclosure at Property Transfer (PDF). (Regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.)

University of Minnesota Extension Service
The University of Minnesota Extension Service is committed to delivering high-quality, relevant educational programs and information to Minnesota citizens and communities. The three areas of community development and vitality; land, food and environment; and youth development and family living.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA enforces federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water. The Agency carries out both regulatory and voluntary programs to fulfill its mission to protect the nation's waters.

Minnesota Association of County Officers
County Officers Names, Addresses, Phone Numbers, and E-mail Addresses

Minnesota Ground Water Association (MGWA)
The MGWA is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the following primary objectives:

• Promotion and encouragement of the scientific and public policy aspects of ground water;
• Establishing a common forum for scientists, engineers, planners, educators, attorneys, and other persons concerned with ground water;
• Education of the general public regarding ground water resources;
• Dissemination of information on ground water through meetings of the membership.

Minnesota Water Well Association (MWWA)
The MWWA represents the groundwater industry throughout the state of Minnesota.  MWWA members apply knowledge and experience to provide safe, sustainable groundwater for over 70 percent of all Minnesotans.  The MWWA is an affiliate organization of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and strives to apply the latest science and practices to ensure that the construction and operation of water wells in the state of Minnesota are among the best in the nation.

National Ground Water Association (NGWA)
The NGWA's purpose is to provide guidance to members, government representatives, and the public for sound scientific, economic, and beneficial development, protection, and management of the world's ground water resources. The NGWA is the national association of well contractors, professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers involved with the ground water industry. The NGWA sponsors educational and training programs, provides publications on a wide variety of ground water subjects, and certifies well contractors as ground water professionals.

NSF International
NSF International is an independent not-for-profit organization that helps protect public health by writing standards and certifying a wide variety of food, water, air, and consumer products. The MDH rules related to wells and borings (Minnesota Rules, chapter 4725) require conformance with NSF standards for a number of materials used in regulated wells and borings, including: plastic casings, couplings, and joining materials (NSF/ANSI Standards 14 and 61); drilling additives (NSF/ANSI Standard 60); and interior coatings of buried pressure tanks (NSF/ANSI Standard 61). The NSF website has a searchable database of certified products.

UL Solutions (previously Underwriters Laboratories)
UL Solutions provides a wide range of testing and product certification services for water products, including plumbing materials/products and water treatment devices. UL Solutions also certifies bottled water, verifying that the water complies with drinking water standards and plants operate according to industry standards.

Water Quality Association (WQA)
The WQA is a not-for-profit international trade association representing the residential, commercial, industrial, and community water treatment industry. WQA provides informational resources to consumers, government officials, and the water treatment industry; educates water treatment professionals; and provides product testing and certification.

Water Systems Council (WSC)
The WSC is a national non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting the wider use of wells as modern and affordable safe drinking water systems and to protect ground water resources nationwide. WSC certifies water system components. WSC has a number of publications regarding well maintenance, water systems, water testing, and ground water quality.