Stearns County, Minnesota

Arsenic: 52 of 162 sampled wells (32%) above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Nitrate: 64 of 327 sampled wells (20%) above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N. Samples 1964-06-23 to 2025-10-01; updated 2026-10-18. Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well.

What wells in this county have measured for arsenic and nitrate. A local picture only: test your own well to know your water.

Arsenic

52 of 162 sampled wells (32%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L.

Median (latest per well): 0.784 µg/L
90th percentile: 21.1 µg/L
Highest: 37.8 µg/L
Non-detects: 72 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 1152, 1973-06-27 to 2025-10-01
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-18

Nitrate

64 of 327 sampled wells (20%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N.

Median (latest per well): 1 mg/L as N
90th percentile: 20 mg/L as N
Highest: Withheld for review: 1 well's latest result was above 100 mg/L as N, far outside the usual range. It is still counted as above the limit.
Non-detects: 58 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 632, 1964-06-23 to 2007-07-26
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-18

Includes monitoring, research and private wells reported to the Water Quality Portal. Non-detects count only when the lab's detection limit is at or below the EPA limit. Method: data rules.

What to do next

Test your own well. County numbers cannot tell you what is in your water. See which tests fit your well.
Use a lab certified by Minnesota. Certified labs in Minnesota.
Compare your results with the EPA limits (arsenic 10 µg/L, nitrate 10 mg/L as N). If a result is above a limit, contact your county or state health department.
If a result is high: arsenic guide · nitrate guide · bacteria guide · salesperson checklist.
Test again every year for bacteria and nitrate. Get a yearly reminder.