NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved Brown County Public Health’s application for a $28,980 private well testing grant Tuesday.

With grant approval by the Minnesota Department of Public Health (MDH), Brown County Public Health will provide well testing supplies for households that rely on private wells for drinking water.

Contaminants to be tested include arsenic, coliform bacteria, lead, manganese, and nitrate.

Grant funds also provide outreach, education and complete data tracking for reporting to the Minnesota Department of Health.

“This is voluntary to help support landowners and residents,” said Brown County Public Health Director Jaimee Brand.

Commissioner Dave Borchert said he supported the grant request but asked how the MDH will use the well testing data.

“Contaminants will be listed on MDH dashboards,” said Brand.

Brown County Public Health (BCPH) will partner with Planning and Zoning, Soil and Water Conservation, Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratory and other public health programs.

Brown County has a significant portion of households that rely on private wells as their primary drinking water source. Unlike public water systems, private wells are not regulated, making routine testing and maintenance the responsibility of the well owner.

Project goals include identifying drinking water contaminants, taking corrective action and reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes.

When contaminants exceed recommended levels, BCPH will provide education to homeowners and other partners listed in the grant education.

Through family home visits and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs, BCPH will collaborate with human services to provide information and testing supplies to families they serve including those low-income households and those with infants and children.

Outreach and targeted follow up with households, evaluation and first-year outcomes will be sent to the MDH near the end of the one-year project.

County public health will collaborate with county planning and zoning, Brown County Soil and Water Conservation, family home visiting staff, environmental health, human services and Minnesota Valley Testing Labs.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp, seconded by Borchert.