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Wellhead Protection Plan
The City of Inver Grove Heights has completed the development of their Wellhead Protection Plan. This plan is designed to protect the groundwater aquifers that supply our municipal drinking water wells. The plan identifies potential sources of contamination that could pollute local groundwater wells and aquifers. The ultimate goal of this plan is help ensure that Inver Grove Heights continues to provide its customers with a safe and abundant supply of clean drinking water for generations to come.
Wells can become polluted when substances that are harmful to human health get into the groundwater. Water from these wells can become dangerous to drink when the level of pollution rises above health standards. Fortunately, the Inver Grove Heights water supply currently meets (and exceeds) all State and Federal drinking water standards. We regularly sample the water from our wells and provide an annual Water Quality Report to residents.
How can you help make this program successful
Private Wells
- While the wellhead protection program is only required for public water supply wells, individual residential wells are one item that can potentially transmit contamination to the aquifer. If a residential well is poorly constructed, not maintained, or improperly abandoned, that well becomes a potential avenue for contamination to enter the aquifer. All homeowners with their own wells are encouraged to monitor the health of their own well through water quality sampling. While the City of Inver Grove Heights does not have the resources to test each residential well for contaminants, the process is relatively inexpensive for property owners and is highly recommended. More information about private well testing is available from the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Minnesota Well Codes
states that any private well that is no longer used must either have a permit to be maintained or must be abandoned (sealed) by a licensed well contractor. If your property has a well that is no longer active, the well may be in violation of Minnesota Well Code and may need to be sealed. More information about well sealing can be found are the Minnesota Health website. Fortunately, property owners within a wellhead protection area are eligible for grants and cost-sharing to assist with sealing their wells.Grants Available:
If you are looking at sealing your well, grants may be available. Contact the staff person below for more information.
Household Hazardous Wastes
- Household hazardous wastes can threaten local water supplies if they are improperly disposed of. These wastes can include automotive products (batteries, fuels, oils, other fluids), lawn and garden products, paints, fluorescent light bulbs, and many other items. Visit the Dakota County website for more information about proper waste disposal and drop-off.