Wells

Drinking Water
Drinking Water

Many homes have private wells in North Oaks to bring potable drinking water into their homes. 

What is a well? 

A well is basically a hole that has been drilled, bored, washed, pushed or dug into the ground to access water in the ground or “groundwater.” A well is held open by a pipe, known as a “casing,” that extends to an aquifer. An “aquifer” is a layer of sediment, such as sand or gravel, or a layer of rock, such as sandstone or limestone, that is saturated with water and can transmit water to a well. Once the casing is set into the aquifer, the space between the hole and the casing is filled with a material called “grout” to prevent surface contaminants from entering the aquifer. Unless a well is flowing under natural artesian pressure, a pump is used to extract water from the well. A water-supply well can provide drinking water for private or public use, or can be used for cooking, bathing, washing, or lawn watering. Wells are also constructed for irrigation, livestock watering or other agricultural purposes, commercial/industrial purposes, monitoring water quality or water levels, or dewatering for construction.

Well water testing

As a private well owner, you are responsible for regularly testing the water you use for cooking and drinking to make sure it is safe. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends that you test water from a faucet that you use for cooking and drinking and that you test for the contaminants in the table below. If you treat your water, test the water after it goes through treatment. Testing for all of the contaminants below is especially important if babies or young children drink the water (see Safe Drinking Water for Your Baby).

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