RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Detroit Lakes
MN certified
Homeowner samples ยท Mail-in kits
- Arsenic
- Coliform Bacteria
- Full Homeowner Panel
- Lead
- Nitrate / Nitrite
Minnesota county well guide
Well Water in Clay County, MN: Testing, Contractors and Rules
About 3,414 households in Clay County, 14% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.
of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
0licensed contractors serve the county
36 mito the nearest certified lab, RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Detroit Lakes
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold
About 3,414 homes in Clay County are on a private well. That is 14% of households, enough that every township has well owners and few of them have had the water tested recently.
Local rules for wells in Clay County
In Clay County the Minnesota Department of Health licenses the contractor, receives the well notification and record, and requires a bacteria, nitrate and arsenic test on every new well. When the property changes hands the seller must disclose every well on it; the water test is up to the buyer. The state’s recommended schedule is below.
At a glance
Water test for a new wellRequired
The licensed well contractor must have every new well tested for coliform bacteria, nitrate and arsenic before it is put into service, and must file a well notification with MDH before drilling. Results go to the owner and to MDH.
Water test when a home is soldNot required statewide
No water test is required, but Minnesota requires a Well Disclosure Statement in the purchase agreement and a Well Disclosure Certificate filed with the deed listing every well on the property and whether it is in use or sealed.
What the state recommends
MDH recommends testing for coliform bacteria every year, nitrate every other year (every year if an infant or pregnant woman drinks the water), and arsenic, lead and manganese at least once. Retest after any repair, flooding or change in taste, color or odor.
Free or low-cost testingAvailable
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and many counties and soil and water conservation districts run free or low-cost nitrate screening clinics; several county health departments run accredited labs that accept homeowner samples.
Getting your water tested near Clay County
The nearest certified lab is RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Detroit Lakes in Detroit Lakes, about 36 miles from the county center, and it accepts samples from homeowners. Mail-in kits fill the gap for anything it does not run.
1 certified labs within 40 miles
Licensed well contractors serving Clay County
No licensed contractor lists Clay County as a home base or service area yet. The finder below searches the whole state; most drillers travel several counties for a job.
No listings yet for this area. Try widening your search.
Well depth and water chemistry
Well depth and water chemistry in Clay County follow the rock underneath it. Depth varies across the county; the state well record search shows logs for nearby wells.
Typical well depth
Varies by location. Check the state well record search for logs of nearby wells.
Contaminants to test for
- Arsenic (about 1 in 10 wells statewide exceed the standard)
- Nitrate (southeast karst and central sands)
- Manganese
- Coliform bacteria
- Iron
- Hardness
- Fluoride
- Radium and radon (bedrock aquifers)
- PFAS (east metro and airport areas)
Neighboring counties: Norman County, Wilkin County, Becker County, Mahnomen County.
What well work costs in Clay County
Basic bacteria and nitrate test$25 to $75lab fee, homeowner sample
Full panel lab test$150 to $400metals, VOCs, radiologicals
Well inspection$250 to $550flow, pressure, visual, water test
Submersible pump replacement$1,200 to $4,500parts and labor
Pressure tank replacement$400 to $1,200installed
Whole-house treatment system$800 to $6,000softener, iron filter, UV, RO
New well drilled$5,500 to $25,000about $25 to $65 per foot
Shock chlorination$80 to $300or about $20 as a DIY job
National ranges from published 2025 to 2026 contractor pricing. Local quotes vary with depth, access and materials.
Questions Clay County well owners ask
How many homes in Clay County are on a well?
About 3,414, or 14% of households, based on Census housing data and state well surveys. The share is highest outside the towns with public water.
Where is the closest certified lab to Clay County?
RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Detroit Lakes in Detroit Lakes, about 36 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Clay County?
Yes. The licensed well contractor files a well notification with the Minnesota Department of Health before drilling. Some counties (for example Dakota and Olmsted) run delegated well programs with their own permit.
What does a well test cost near Clay County?
A bacteria and nitrate test runs $25 to $75 at most certified labs; a full panel with metals is $150 to $400. County health department labs and soil and water conservation districts run low-cost nitrate clinics, and MDH-accredited labs list which of them accept homeowner samples.