Minnesota county well guide

Well Water in Otter Tail County, MN: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 13,126 households in Otter Tail County, 57% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
57%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Otter Tail County57%
Minnesota average22%
8licensed contractors serve the county
28 mito the nearest certified lab, RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Detroit Lakes
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

Most homes in Otter Tail County are on a private well: about 13,126 households, 57% of the county. That makes Otter Tail County one of the places in Minnesota where the water department is the homeowner.

Local rules for wells in Otter Tail County

Minnesota’s well code (Rules Chapter 4725) applies in Otter Tail County: the licensed well contractor files a notification with the Department of Health before drilling and must have the new well tested for coliform bacteria, nitrate and arsenic before it is used. At sale, state law requires a well disclosure statement and certificate listing every well on the property, but no water test.

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 Otter Tail County

1 certified lab within 40 miles serve Otter Tail County, starting with RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Detroit Lakes in Detroit Lakes (about 28 miles from the county center). Each card below shows whether the lab takes homeowner samples and which tests it is certified for.

1 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving Otter Tail County

8 licensed contractors serve Otter Tail County, including All State Well Drilling & Excavating, Inc and Burr, Inc. Each profile carries the state license number and the date we checked it, and the filters below sort them by drilling, pump work or treatment.

Well depth and water chemistry

What comes up with the water depends on the aquifer. A first full panel tells you which of them apply to your well.

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: Becker County, Grant County, Wilkin County, Douglas County.

What well work costs in Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County well owners ask

How many homes in Otter Tail County are on a well?

About 13,126, or 57% 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 Otter Tail County?

RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.- Detroit Lakes in Detroit Lakes, about 28 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail 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.