Five FarmFest Well Samples Exceed Nitrate Health Standard

Five private-well water samples tested during FarmFest exceeded Minnesota’s health standard for nitrate.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says more than 125 farm families used its free onsite testing clinic during the three-day event. Participants received results in less than five minutes.

Nitrate levels above ten milligrams per liter are considered harmful, especially for infants and pregnant women. The agency recommends that families with elevated results have their water retested by a certified laboratory.

Nitrate is invisible, odorless and tasteless. State officials recommend that private-well owners test their water annually. Minnesota Department of Agriculture