By the Closer Look Inspectors team · Facts checked October 8, 2026 against MDH, MPCA and EPA sources · About our inspectors
Lead rarely comes from the water source. It enters tap water as plumbing corrodes: lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures. MDH says there is no safe level of lead, and young children and pregnant women are at highest risk. MDH recommends testing through an accredited lab, especially for homes with plumbing installed before 1986.
All the water tests we offer
Bacteria
Shows whether surface water or waste is reaching the well.
- Surface contamination reaching the wellNone should be present (MDH)
- Fecal contamination from septic, manure or wildlifeNone should be present (MDH)
Health chemicals
No taste, color or smell. These are the long-term health checks.
- Fertilizer, septic and manure; highest risk to infants10 mg/L (EPA)
- Natural arsenic from Minnesota rock and soil10 µg/L (EPA)
- Lead service lines, solder and brass fixturesNo safe level (MDH)
- ManganeseNatural manganese; a concern for infants100 µg/L for infants (MDH guidance)
- FluorideNatural fluoride; dental health4.0 mg/L (EPA)
- UraniumNatural radionuclide in groundwater30 µg/L (EPA)
Petroleum & solvents
Fuel and chemical spills from old tanks or nearby sites.
Household quality
Staining, scale and taste, and choosing the right treatment.
- IronRusty staining and metallic taste0.3 mg/L, aesthetic (MDH)
- HardnessScale buildup; sizing a water softenerNo health standard
- pHCorrosive or scaling water6.5 to 8.5, aesthetic (EPA)
- SulfateTaste and odor; diarrhea risk for infants250 mg/L, aesthetic (EPA)
Limits from MDH, EPA and MPCA. Your lab report compares each result to these values.
Health standard: EPA action level 15 ppb (a trigger for utility action, not a safe level). MDH: no safe level of lead; any level in a well is harmful.
Where lead in water comes from
Lead is not usually found in well water itself, but it can enter water through plumbing. MDH says lead pipes are typically the worst contributor. Plumbing parts made before 1986 may contain lead, and fixtures, solder, and pipes built before 1995 may as well. Lead solder has been illegal in Minnesota since 1985. In private well systems, brass faucets and valves can release lead, especially in the first few months of use, and some submersible pumps made before 1995 may contain leaded brass. Lead packers were common in wells drilled before 1980. Homes built before 1940 may have lead service lines to a public system. Lead dissolves more the longer water sits in plumbing.
Health effects and who is most at risk
MDH states that there is no safe level of lead. Lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. In children it can slow development and cause learning, behavior, and hearing problems. EPA notes that adults can face increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems. Babies, children under six, and pregnant women are at highest risk. The EPA action level of 15 parts per billion for public water systems is a trigger for action, not a safe level. Lead-based paint in homes built before 1978 is the most common lead exposure in Minnesota, but it is a separate source from water.
Signs and when to test
Lead cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled in water. MDH recommends testing for lead at least once, using an accredited laboratory, and testing is especially important if young children or pregnant women drink the water. A first-draw sample shows lead after water has sat in the plumbing for at least six hours. A flushed sample shows lead after running the water for a minute or two. Comparing the two helps show whether the plumbing is the source. Homes with older plumbing, or new brass components, are good candidates for a test before a purchase.
If your result is high: treatment options
MDH advises running the tap at least one minute before drinking or cooking when water has sat unused for six hours or more, and three to five minutes if there is a lead service line. Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula, because hot water releases more lead. Find and replace lead sources, such as older fixtures or pipes. If flushing does not reduce lead and you cannot find the source, MDH lists treatment options of carbon filters certified to remove lead, reverse osmosis, and distillation. Retest after any change to the plumbing or treatment.
Facts checked October 2026 against: Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Health.
Lead water testing in pictures
Minnesota private well testing timeline
| Test | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coliform bacteria | ||||||
| Nitrate | ||||||
| Arsenic | ||||||
| Lead |
Test again any time after flooding, after work on the well, or when the water's taste, color or smell changes, and always when you buy a home with a well.
How long a private well lasts in Minnesota
Wells built before 1974, when Minnesota's well code began, are listed by MDH as higher risk for bacteria, along with leaking dug wells, wells in old frost pits and wells with corroded casings.
Wells built before 1974 often have no record on file. Test the water before you close. Get a free instant quote
Buying a home with a well in Minnesota: the disclosure rules
- Before the purchase agreementThe seller discloses in writing every known well and whether it is in use, not in use or sealed.
- At closingA well disclosure certificate is signed, unless the deed says the seller knows of no wells.
- If a well was hiddenA seller who knew of an undisclosed well can owe the sealing cost and attorney fees if the buyer sues within six years.
The disclosure tells you a well exists, not what is in it. Add water testing to your inspection. Get a free instant quote
Quick answers
Is there a safe level of lead in drinking water?
No. MDH states that there is no safe level of lead. The EPA action level of 15 parts per billion for public water systems is a point at which a utility must act, not a level considered safe. Babies, children under six, and pregnant women are at highest risk.
How does lead get into well water?
Lead is not usually in the well water itself. It enters through plumbing, most often lead pipes. Brass faucets and valves can release lead in their first months, some submersible pumps made before 1995 may contain leaded brass, and lead packers were used in wells drilled before 1980. Lead dissolves more the longer water sits in plumbing.
What is a first-draw lead test?
A first-draw sample is taken after water has sat in the plumbing for at least six hours, so it shows how much lead has dissolved from the plumbing. MDH also describes a flushed sample, taken after running the water for a minute or two. Use an accredited laboratory.
How can I reduce lead in my tap water?
Run the tap for at least one minute before drinking or cooking if the water has sat for six hours or more, and use cold water for drinking, cooking, and formula. MDH lists carbon filters certified to remove lead, reverse osmosis, and distillation as treatment options. Replacing lead sources addresses the cause.
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