Information on testing and disinfecting wells is available from local health departments or from the MDH Northwestern (Bemidji) District Office at 218-308-2100 and the West Central (Fergus Falls) District Office at 218-332-5150.

Well testing and other flood-related information also is available on the MDH Web site at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/emergency/natural/floods/index.html

Free test kits with bottles for collecting water samples and instructions for sending samples to an MDH laboratory are available from local public health agencies:

Traverse County - Stevens/Traverse/Grant Public Health, 320-589-7425
Wilkin County - Wilkin County Environmental Office, 218-643-5815
Clay County - Clay County Public Health, 218-299-5220
Norman County - Norman-Mahnomen Public Health, 218-784-5425
Polk County - Polk County Public Health, 218-281-3385
Marshall County - North Valley Public Health, 218-745-5154
Kittson County - Kittson Memorial Home Healthcare, 218-843-3662
Roseau County - LifeCare Public Health, -218-463-3211

Private labs also can test water samples for bacterial contamination. State-certified labs generally are listed in the yellow pages under "laboratories - testing." Tests typically cost $10 to $20.