Ag Dept. seeks input on cutting nitrate levels in well water
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is asking for public comment on a plan to reduce unsafe nitrate levels in drinking water. Much of the nitrate load comes from agricultural fertilizers.
The plan includes water testing in up to 300 Minnesota townships, said Bruce Montgomery, a spokesman for the Ag Department.
"Our goal is to test approximately 70,000 wells over the next six to eight years," Montgomery said. "We're going to offer that to the residents in these sensitive townships as part of the accelerated testing."
He added: "I think Minnesota is really kind of a pioneer in this area."
Montgomery said it's estimated that more than 10 percent of those wells will have excessive nitrates. The pollutant reduces the body's ability to absorb oxygen, which can be especially problematic for pregnant women and infants.
Officials hope the research will encourage farmers to correct nitrogen runoff problems on their land.
Six public comment meetings are scheduled; the first is Sept. 5 in Marshall.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Dear reader,
Political debates with family or friends can get heated. But what if there was a way to handle them better?
You can learn how to have civil political conversations with our new e-book!
Download our free e-book, Talking Sense: Have Hard Political Conversations, Better, and learn how to talk without the tension.
