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Well Water Testing · Worthington, MN

Water testing in Worthington

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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Worthington · Nobles County

Well Water Testing in Worthington

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.

Worthington is a southwestern prairie city of older housing stock and newer development. Housing here runs to an older housing stock with newer development on the edges, across the older core and the newer subdivisions.

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

Well water in Nobles County

MDA tested four Nobles County townships in 2016-2017: Grand Prairie, Lismore, Olney and Westside. The initial dataset had 45 wells, and 77.8% were at or above 10 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen. After removing 35 wells with other likely nitrate sources or well problems, only 10 wells remained, 30.0% over the limit. MDA states that about 20 wells are generally needed to characterize a township, and no Nobles township met that, so treat these numbers as a small sample.

County facts checked October 2026 against: mda.state.mn.us, mda.state.mn.us.

Worthington, MN water testing: iron filter tank on the water line in a 1970s unfinished Minnesota basement
Nitrate: EPA limit 10 mg/L, highest risk to infants →
Private wells and water systems around Worthington

MDH recommends testing a private well for coliform bacteria every year and nitrate every other year.

Copper main water line with shutoff valve in a Minnesota utility closet (Nobles County, Minnesota)
Arsenic: about 10% of Minnesota wells exceed the standard →

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

Water tests available in Worthington

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.

Worthington 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.

Nitrate in Nobles County wells

30%

30% of 10 wells tested in four townships (final dataset) were at or over the 10 mg/L nitrate standard (MDA township testing, 2016-2017).

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 long a private well lasts in Worthington

0255075100+ years
25 to 50 years is common
100+ possible

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.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health

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 Worthington: the disclosure rules

  1. Before the purchase agreementThe seller discloses in writing every known well and whether it is in use, not in use or sealed.
  2. At closingA well disclosure certificate is signed, unless the deed says the seller knows of no wells.
  3. 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.
Source: Minnesota Statutes 103I.235

The disclosure tells you a well exists, not what is in it. Add water testing to your inspection. 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.
How reliable is the Nobles County nitrate data?
It is a small sample. MDA's 2016-2017 testing covered four townships and 45 wells, of which 77.8% were at or above 10 mg/L; the final dataset kept only 10 wells. MDA says no Nobles township reached the 20 wells generally needed, so your own well test matters more.
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 you really travel to Worthington?
Yes — southwestern Minnesota is within our range, and the inspection is the same full instrumented visit with a photo-mapped report in 24 hours. Outstate locations are part of the service area.
Should I test for E. coli when buying a house with a well?
A bacteria test is a standard way to check a private well, and CDC advises well owners to test for coliform bacteria and E. coli. Results reflect the day of sampling, and an accredited laboratory analyzes the sample. A positive result can be addressed through disinfection, retesting, and inspection of the well.
Can you taste or smell VOCs in drinking water?
Not reliably. MDH notes that most contaminants in well water cannot be tasted, smelled, or seen, so testing is the only way to know what is in the water. Do not rely on odor to rule out a problem, particularly after a nearby fuel spill or when buying a home.
Who regulates private wells in Minnesota, and who is responsible for the water?
The Department of Health licenses the contractors who construct, repair, and seal regulated wells, and administers the Well Code, Minnesota Rules chapter 4725. For an existing private well, the Department of Health says the owner is responsible for regularly testing the water and keeping it safe. Licensed contractors must file well records, and since 1974 the Department of Health has required submittal of well construction records. Water testing arranged by the owner fills that gap.
How can I tell if there is a forgotten well on my property?
The Department of Health suggests looking for a pipe 1 to 8 inches wide at, above, or below the surface, a low spot or sunken area, a metal, wood, or concrete cover, a windmill or old well house, and a concrete patch or glass block in a basement step or floor. Well pits and basement offsets are other common signs. Visible signs like these are worth raising with your agent and a licensed well contractor.
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