Purpose

• To provide a one-time General Fund appropriation in fiscal year 2026 to the Minnesota Department of Health, for developing a voluntary private well water testing program. The program would be created in collaboration with the University of Minnesota (Board of Regents) and interested nonprofit organizations, and would focus on private wells rather than public water systems.

Main Provisions

• Funding and timeframe:
  • Establishes a one-time appropriation from the general fund in FY2026 to the Commissioner of Health.
• Collaboration:
  • Requires the Department of Health to work in consultation with the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and interested nonprofit organizations.
• Program components:
  • Provide voluntary private well testing through local clinics.
  • Offer information about water safety and water quality.
  • Provide information about water treatment options.
  • Provide private well owner water safety plans (plans to help well owners protect and manage their water quality).
• Scope and aim:
  • Targets private wells (not publicly supplied water) and aims to increase access to testing, raise awareness about water safety, and support owners in developing safety plans.
• Implementation:
  • The department is charged with developing the program using the specified partners and avenues (local clinics and related information services).

Purpose and Expected Impact

• Increase voluntary testing for private well water.
• Improve public awareness of water safety and treatment choices.
• Support private well owners in creating and following water safety plans to reduce risks to health.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Creates a one-time funding mechanism to establish a voluntary private well water testing program and related information services.
• Involves collaboration between state health authorities, a major public university system, and nonprofit organizations.
• Does not specify changes to existing statutes beyond funding the new program and the collaborative approach.

Relevant Terms - general fund - fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) - appropriation - commissioner of health - voluntary private well water testing program - local clinics - water safety - water treatment options - private well owner water safety plans - Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota - nonprofit organizations - one-time appropriation