Water Testing Services

The Aitkin County Water Lab offers well water testing for coliform bacteria, E.coli and nitrates. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that private wells be tested for coliform bacteria annually and nitrates every 1-2 years.

Water samples can be dropped off on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. Samples must be held on ice when transporting. Onsite collection samples will also be taken on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month as well.

To have a water sample tested, stop by the Environmental Services/Planning and Zoning Department at the Aitkin County Government Center to pick up a sample kit. The Water Lab will only accept samples taken from approved sterile Whirlpack bags provided at our office. Samples in other containers will not be accepted.

• A. To get a sample kit mailed to your address, please contact Brock Anderson at brock.anderson@co.aitkin.mn.us or at 218-927-7458. Once you have obtained a sampling kit, please follow collection instructions carefully. Click here for “Instructions for Collecting a Water Sample”
• B. If you would like to schedule an onsite water collection by an Aitkin County employee, please visit the following link: https://mn-co-aitkin-pz.onegov.rtvision.com/index.php (The water collection request application can be found in Section 4)

Since the Minnesota Department of Health has taken over License jurisdiction for Lodging and Food Licenses, Aitkin County would like to note that for Vacation Rentals, water tests need to be completed by a Minnesota Department of Health Accredited Laboratory. Many lenders for real estate transactions or loan refinances require that an independent third party collect the water sample. Contact the lender directly with questions on which tests are required and if an independent third party is needed for the sample collection. If you require Minnesota Department of Health accreditation for testing services, contact them at 651-201-4600.

Aitkin County Environmental Services Water Laboratory offers accurate and reliable results through our quality assurance program. Our quality assurance program is based on:

Use of written standard operating procedures (SOPs) and methods.

Adherence to quality control practices for all analyses, internal performance evaluations and internal quality assurance audits.

Biannual Proficiency Testing (PT) - blind samples are sent twice a year to our lab from RTC Corporation for analysis. This ensures that our equipment and procedures are working correctly.

• Click here to view our PT Certificate of Quality
• For more information on PT Testing, use this link: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/analytical-chromatography/proficiency-testing/environmental.html

For more information about well water testing at Aitkin County, please call 218-927-7458 or 218-927-7342.

Important Links and Additional Information:

• Nitrate in Drinking Water
• Coliform in Drinking Water
• Disinfecting Your Well
• Well Owner’s Handbook
• Accredited Labs in Minnesota Accepting Water Samples