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Well Water Testing · Hugo, MN

Water testing in Hugo

Water testing for Minnesota homes, above all those on a private well. An accredited laboratory tests the water for coliform bacteria and E. coli…

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Hugo · Washington County

Well Water Testing in Hugo

Water testing for Minnesota homes, above all those on a private well. An accredited laboratory tests the water for coliform bacteria and E. coli, nitrate, arsenic, lead, manganese, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), DRO (diesel range organics), iron, hardness, pH, fluoride, sulfate and uranium. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends testing a private well for coliform bacteria every year, nitrate every other year, and arsenic and lead at least once.

Hugo is a northeast exurb of newer subdivisions on wetland-edge ground. Housing here runs to newer subdivisions built on wetland-edge ground, across the new subdivisions and the surrounding rural acreage.

Questions about a Hugo home?  ·  Call or text (612) 457-1634

Well water in Washington County

MDA's 2014-2015 township testing in Washington County covered Cottage Grove and Denmark. The final dataset held 441 wells with 15.0% at or over the 10 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen health risk limit. Cottage Grove (city) was 20.2% and Denmark 8.3%. MDA said Cottage Grove had more than 10% of wells over the limit. MDH lists coliform yearly, nitrate every other year, and arsenic and lead at least once.

County facts checked September 2026 against: washingtoncountymn.gov, mda.state.mn.us, Minnesota Department of Health.

See all Hugo inspections →  ·  More about well water testing →  ·  Every water test, explained →

Water tests available in Hugo

Bacteria

Shows whether surface water or waste is reaching the well.

  • Total coliform bacteria
    Surface contamination reaching the well
    None should be present (MDH)
  • E. coli
    Fecal contamination from septic, manure or wildlife
    None should be present (MDH)

Health chemicals

No taste, color or smell. These are the long-term health checks.

  • Nitrate
    Fertilizer, septic and manure; highest risk to infants
    10 mg/L (EPA)
  • Arsenic
    Natural arsenic from Minnesota rock and soil
    10 µg/L (EPA)
  • Lead
    Lead service lines, solder and brass fixtures
    No safe level (MDH)
  • Manganese
    Natural manganese; a concern for infants
    100 µg/L for infants (MDH guidance)
  • Fluoride
    Natural fluoride; dental health
    4.0 mg/L (EPA)
  • Uranium
    Natural radionuclide in groundwater
    30 µg/L (EPA)

Petroleum & solvents

Fuel and chemical spills from old tanks or nearby sites.

  • VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
    Fuels, solvents, degreasers and paints
    Varies by compound (EPA)
  • DRO (diesel range organics)
    Diesel and heating-oil petroleum
    No limit of its own; a petroleum screen (MPCA)

Household quality

Staining, scale and taste, and choosing the right treatment.

  • Iron
    Rusty staining and metallic taste
    0.3 mg/L, aesthetic (MDH)
  • Hardness
    Scale buildup; sizing a water softener
    No health standard
  • pH
    Corrosive or scaling water
    6.5 to 8.5, aesthetic (EPA)
  • Sulfate
    Taste and odor; diarrhea risk for infants
    250 mg/L, aesthetic (EPA)

Limits from MDH, EPA and MPCA. Your lab report compares each result to these values.

Hugo private well testing timeline

Minnesota Department of Health schedule: coliform bacteria every year, nitrate every other year, arsenic and lead at least once. Source: MDH
TestYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year 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.

Private wells and water systems around Hugo

Hugo, MN water testing: well cap in the foreground, ranch home on acreage behind it in central Minnesota lake country in summer
Nitrate: EPA limit 10 mg/L, highest risk to infants →
Well cap in the foreground, farmhouse behind it in central Minnesota lake country in spring green (Washington County, Minnesota)
Arsenic: about 10% of Minnesota wells exceed the standard →
Hugo, MN water testing: well cap in the foreground, 1970s rambler behind it in central Minnesota lake country in summer
Coliform bacteria: MDH recommends testing every year →

Nitrate in Washington County wells

15%

15% of 441 wells tested in Cottage Grove and Denmark were at or over the 10 mg/L nitrate standard (MDA township testing, 2014-2015).

Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture township testing

Township numbers are averages. Only a test of your own well tells you its nitrate level. Get a free instant quote

How far a well must be from common hazards in Hugo

  • Building (closest projection)3 ft
  • Lake, river, stream or pond35 ft
  • Septic tank50 ft
  • Drainfield (soil dispersal area)50 ft (100 ft sensitive well)
  • Animal feedlot or building (over 1 animal unit)50 ft
  • Cesspool or seepage pit75 ft (150 ft sensitive well)
  • Unroofed feedlot, 300+ animal units100 ft
  • Unprotected petroleum tank, 1,100+ gallons150 ft
Source: Minnesota Rules 4725.4450 and 4725.4350

Septic, feedlot or fuel tank near the well? A coliform and nitrate test shows whether it is reaching the water. Get a free instant quote

Arsenic in Hugo private wells, out of every 100

About 40 in 100 have some arsenic About 10 in 100 are above the 10 µg/L standard

Source: Minnesota Department of Health

You can't see, smell or taste arsenic. One lab test tells you where the well stands. Get a free instant quote

Questions

Common questions.

Who needs well water testing?
Any home on a private well, and above all when you are buying one. A private well is not regulated like a city water system, so the owner is responsible for knowing what is in the water. Testing before closing tells you whether the water needs treatment while you can still ask questions or negotiate.
What does the water panel cover?
The panel covers coliform bacteria and E. coli, nitrate, arsenic, lead, manganese, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), DRO (diesel range organics), iron, hardness, pH, fluoride, sulfate and uranium. Bacteria and nitrate are the short-term health checks. Arsenic, lead, manganese and uranium are the ones you cannot see or taste. VOCs and DRO screen for solvents and petroleum, such as fuel from an old oil tank or a nearby leak site. Iron, hardness, pH and sulfate explain staining, scale, odor and wear on plumbing and appliances.
How often should a well be tested?
The Minnesota Department of Health recommends coliform bacteria every year, nitrate every other year, and arsenic and lead at least once. Test again after flooding, after any work on the well, or if the taste, color or smell of the water changes.
Is well water testing part of the home inspection?
It is an add-on. Add it to your home inspection quote. Testing early in your inspection window leaves time to act on the results.
Is nitrate high in Washington County wells?
In MDA's 2014-2015 testing, 15.0% of 441 wells were at or over 10 mg/L. Cottage Grove was 20.2% and Denmark 8.3%, so it depends on location.Coliform bacteria and E. coli are the pass-fail items lenders and buyers ask about first.
My home is on city water. Is water testing still worth it?
Often yes. Community water systems follow EPA testing rules and report results in an annual Consumer Confidence Report, but that report does not measure your own plumbing. MDH and EPA say lead enters mainly from service lines and plumbing materials, and the only way to know is a tap test. MDH recommends an accredited lab, and your utility can say whether your home has a lead service line.
When should a home be tested for DRO or VOCs?
MDH suggests considering a VOC test when a well is near fuel tanks or a commercial or industrial area. MPCA reports petroleum has leaked at about 22,000 Minnesota sites, including home heating-oil tanks, and releases can threaten drinking water and send vapors into buildings. Reasons to test include a nearby leak site, a former or buried fuel tank, or a fuel odor or sheen. MPCA's leaking-tank-site database shows reported releases.
Do Hugo's wetland-edge lots cause problems?
They can. A seasonal high water table is normal here, which makes sump pumps, backup power for them, drain tile and lot grading the things to verify rather than assume. On acreage lots, private wells and septic call for specialized testing.
How do I get rid of E. coli in my well?
Disinfect the well with a chlorine solution, either through a licensed well contractor or by following the MDH well disinfection instructions. Then have an accredited lab retest the water before you drink it. MDH suggests testing again two to four weeks later, and a contractor can look for the entry point if it returns.
How do you get rid of VOCs in well water?
MDH advises first removing the source of contamination or using a safer water supply. If that is not possible, home treatment may be appropriate, and some technologies can reduce VOCs depending on the filter media. Choose a certified unit, use a licensed plumber or water conditioning contractor, and retest after installation.
Do I have to seal an old unused well in Minnesota?
Yes, in most cases. Under Minn. Stat. 103I.301, a well that is not in use must be sealed unless the owner holds a maintenance permit. A well must also be sealed if it is contaminated, was improperly sealed, or endangers groundwater or safety. The property owner is responsible for having it sealed by a licensed person. A suspected unused well or pit is a question for a licensed well contractor.
Does the well disclosure apply to sand-point and dug wells too?
Yes. The Minnesota Department of Health says the disclosure law covers all types of wells, whether used for drinking water, irrigation, livestock, heating or cooling, or monitoring. That includes drive-point (sand-point) wells, drilled wells, and dug wells. The law is Minnesota Statutes section 103I.235, part of the Ground Water Protection Act. Ask for the disclosure early, then have the in-use well tested before closing.
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