Southeast Minnesota Groundwater
On this page:
- Background
- Minnesota Department of Health Information about Nitrate in Drinking Water
- Nitrate and Groundwater Resources
- Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment Updates
- Minnesota Petition Frequently Asked Quenstion’s for Nitrates
Background
In April 2023, EPA received a Safe Drinking Water Act section 1431 emergency petition regarding Southeast Karst Region (“Karst Region”) of Minnesota, which encompasses roughly eight counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona). The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and several other community organizations claim that nitrate contamination in public water systems and underground sources of drinking water (i.e., private wells) is causing an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health. EPA began reviewing the petition immediately and collecting information, including data, from the Minnesota agencies regarding actions they have been taking to investigate and address the nitrate situation.
On November 3, 2023, EPA determined that further action is needed to protect public health. EPA requested that Minnesota develop a plan and provide education and outreach as well as alternative drinking water to residents with water above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate. EPA is requesting a response from the State within 30 days of our request with a timeframe for the work plan and other actions outlined in the letter. The work plan will address how the state will identify, contact, test drinking water, and offer alternative water to all impacted persons in the Karst Region.
- EPA Letter to Minnesota State Agencies Regarding Southeast Minnesota Petition (pdf) (217.31 KB, November 3, 2023)
- Letter from EPA Water Division Director Acknowledging Receipt of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy Petition (pdf) (327.99 KB, May 5, 2023)
- Petition for Emergency Action Pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act to address groundwater contamination in southeastern Minnesota (pdf) (98pp, 2.7MB, April 24, 2023)
Minnesota Department of Health Information about Nitrate in Drinking Water
- Health Effects
- How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
- Background
- Nitrate in Minnesota's Groundwater
Nitrate and Groundwater Resources
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment Updates
The EPA announced a 30-day public comment period associated with release of the document Protocol for the Nitrate and Nitrite IRIS Assessment (Oral) which ended December 11, 2023. This document communicates the rationale for conducting the human health assessment of Nitrate and Nitrite, describes screening criteria to identify relevant literature, outlines the approach for evaluating study quality, and describes the methods for dose-response analysis.
Learn more about the Nitrate IRIS Assessment.
Minnesota Petition Frequently Asked Questions for Nitrates
Contacts
Allison Lippert
lippert.allison@epa.gov
Press Officer
312-353-0967
Nichole Shumard
shumard.nichole@epa.gov
State Oversight Specialist/State Program Manager
312-886-2504
Carleigh Vollbrecht
vollbrecht.carleigh@epa.gov
State Program Manager
312-886-0997
Resources
Private Well Users
Those Serviced by Public Water Systems (PWS)
- Consumer Confidence Reports
- Contact your local PWS for more information.
Minnesota Department of Health Offices
- Health Wells 625 North Robert Street
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975
651-201-4600 or 800-383-9808
Email: (health.wells@state.mn.us ) - 705 Fifth Street Northwest Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
218-308-2100 - 11 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-302-6166 - 2312 College Way Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537
218-332-5150 - 3333 West Division Street St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301
320-223-7300 - 1400 East Lyon Street Marshall, Minnesota 56258
507-476-4220 - 18 Wood Lake Drive Southeast Rochester, Minnesota 55904
507-206-2700