Minnesota county well guide

Well Water in Wabasha County, MN: Testing, Contractors and Rules

About 3,300 households in Wabasha County, 39% of the county, rely on a private well. Nobody tests that water unless the owner does.

Labs within 40 milesLicensed contractors
39%of households on a private well
Share on wells, county vs state
Wabasha County39%
Minnesota average22%
3licensed contractors serve the county
15 mito the nearest certified lab, Buffalo County Department of Health and Human Services
Nostatewide test required when a home is sold

About one in 3 households in Wabasha County relies on a private well, around 3,300 homes. Outside the towns with public water, wells are the norm here.

Local rules for wells in Wabasha County

In Wabasha 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 Wabasha County

The nearest certified lab is Buffalo County Department of Health and Human Services in Alma, about 15 miles from the county center, and it accepts samples from homeowners. There are 2 more within 40 miles, listed below with what each tests for.

2 certified labs within 40 miles

Licensed well contractors serving Wabasha County

Licensed help in Wabasha County includes Hartert Well Drilling and Jacobson Plumbing and Heating and 1 other. Every listing was matched to the Minnesota license list; the “verify” link on each profile opens the state lookup.

Well depth and water chemistry

Well depth and water chemistry in Wabasha 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: Olmsted County, Goodhue County, Winona County, Dodge County.

What well work costs in Wabasha 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 Wabasha County well owners ask

How many homes in Wabasha County are on a well?

About 3,300, or 39% 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 Wabasha County?

Buffalo County Department of Health and Human Services in Alma, about 15 miles away. It accepts homeowner samples.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Wabasha 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 Wabasha 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.