Serving Mills & Fremont Counties
Why Healthy Drinking Water Matters
Safe drinking water protects:
- Infants and young children
- Pregnant women
- Older adults
- Individuals with weakened immune systems
- Everyone who drinks water!
Contaminated well water can lead to gastrointestinal illness and long-term health risks. Regular testing and proper well maintenance are simple steps that protect your family’s health.
Did you know Iowa has nearly 100,000 active private wells, and about 7% of Iowans rely on well water for their drinking supply? Unlike public water systems, private wells are not routinely monitored — which means testing is the only way to know your water is safe.
The Iowa DNR recommends testing your well:
- ✔ At least once per year for bacteria and nitrate
- ✔ After flooding, heavy rain, or well repairs
- ✔ At least once for contaminants like arsenic
Many contaminants have no taste, smell, or color, so even clear water can contain harmful bacteria or elevated nitrate levels.
How It Works
Scheduling a test is simple:
📞 Call 712-527-9699 Select option 4 for Environmental Health
A Mills County Environmental Health Specialist will schedule a time to collect your water sample. The sample is sent to the State Hygienic Laboratory, and a routine testing panel is completely free through the Private Well Grant.
Additional testing can be added for a fee — just ask your specialist.
Grant Funding for Well Work
Through the Iowa DNR Private Well Grant, Mills County residents may also qualify for reimbursement for:
- Up to $700 for well closures
- Up to $400 for cistern closures or shock chlorination
- Up to $600 for a well assessment
- Up to $2,000 for well rehabilitation
Funding covers work done directly on the well (casing, pit, and surrounding area). Work must meet eligibility guidelines and be supervised or completed by a certified professional. Please talk to a MCPH Environmental Health Specialist to ensure the work meets eligibility.
📞 Call 712-527-9699 with questions or to schedule your FREE well water test.