HOW DO POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATE DRINKING SOURCES? Many times there are layers of rock and that lie between an and the surface, or between , which act as natural barriers and protect against the spread of contamination. However, a provides an open channel between the land surface and an aquifer - or between a shallow

aquifer and a deeper aquifer. This Where does your drinking water How is water pumped into open channel (well) may allow come from? Is it safe to ? Is households? contamination to enter into aquifers there anything you can do to keep A well is the most common way to (drinking water supplies) and your drinking water safe? These are obtain for household bypass these protective barriers. all important questions to ask in use. A well is basically a hole in order to protect yourself and your the ground, held open by a pipe family. (casing) that extends to an aquifer. A pump draws untreated water WHERE DOES MY DRINKING WATER from the aquifer for distribution COME FROM? through the system. Seventy percent of the people in Minnesota obtain their drinking water from groundwater, either from private or public wells. Groundwater is pumped from underground geological formations called WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? aquifers. Aquifers contain water in Properly managing private wells is cracks and crevices in bedrock, or important because it can keep in pore spaces between from entering into particles. drinking water supplies. If contamination enters into your drinking water it may threaten the quality of your water, your • Do not pile snow, leaves, or WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL neighbor's, or the City’s. If other materials around the well. INFORMATION? contamination levels reach high This will help keep insects, dirt, enough thresholds it may require and other contaminants from You can get additional information the installation of a entering your well. by contacting the MN Dept. of system or the drilling of a new well. • Consider the location of your Health at (651) 201-5000 or visiting Both of these items may cost well when making physical the following websites; thousands of dollars. changes to your property. www.mrwa.com ,

Follow all MN Dept. of Health http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/ required setbacks from buildings eh/wells/index.html, and potential contaminant sources. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/ • Hire a licensed well driller to eh/wells/construction/handbook.pdf. seal unused wells. • When working near your well, This brochure has been provided by be careful not to disturb or damage the well casing. The City of

• Inspect your well regularly for MN Rural Water physical changes or damage. Association Be sure all well covers and connections are properly

attached and in good condition. . Sealing Unused Well If damage is detected, contact a licensed well driller to determine WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR steps needed to repair the well. DRINKING WATER? • Do not mix or work with • When landscaping your yard, hazardous chemicals like keep the top of your well at least pesticides, fertilizers, paints or 1 foot above the soil surface. motor oil, near your well. Slope the soil away from the • Take steps to prevent a cross well casing to allow surface connection and back-siphonage water to drain away from your of materials into your plumbing well. system and well.