Wellhead Protection Home

Wellhead protection is important in North Dakota simply because the majority of residents of the state depend on groundwater for their domestic needs. It is estimated that about 97% and 60% of the rural and urban population, respectively, depend on groundwater for their drinking water. Monitoring studies of drinking water wells indicate that the causes of well contamination are generally associated with activities directly adjacent to the well or the condition of the well. When high levels of pesticides are found in rural wells, it is usually due to spillage, or back-siphoning associated with sprayer filling and rinsing operations. High concentrations of nitrates and/or microorganisms are usually related to proximity of the well to animal waste. Buried petroleum fuel tanks are often a source of contamination of farm wells. Contamination of farm wells with nitrates and/or microorganisms are much more prevalent than with pesticides.

Farmstead assessment for groundwater protection
John Nowatzki Ag. & Biosystems Engineering, statewide

Abandoned well sealing
Dr. Bruce Seelig Ag & Biosystems Engineering, statewide

Water testing and treatment
Dr. Bruce Seelig and John Nowatzki Ag & Biosystems Engineering, statewide

Septic system training for installers 
Dr. Thomas Scherer Ag & Biosystems Engineering, statewide

Protecting Your Groundwater Through Farmstead Assessment

AE 1073

A Farmstead Checklist  HTM

AE 1074

Assessing the Condition of Your Water Well and its Location  HTM

AE 1075

Assessing Your Household Wastewater Treatment Practices  HTM

AE 1076

Assessing Your Hazardous Waster Management Practices  HTM

AE 1077

Assessing Your Farm Chemical Storage and Handling Practices  HTM

AE 1078

Assessing Your Petroleum Product Storage Practices  HTM

AE 1079

Assessing Your Livestock and Dairy Operation  HTM

HE 429

Drinking Water and Health  PDF

AE 937

Interpreting Your Water test Report  HTM

AE 996

A Guideline to Abandoned Well Plugging in North Dakota  HTM

Treatment Systems for Household Water Supplies

AE 1045

Identification and Correction of Water Problems  HTM

AE 1029

Activated Carbon Filtration  HTM

AE 1030

Iron and Manganese Removal  HTM

AE 1031

Softening  HTM

AE 1032

Distillation  HTM

AE 1046

Chlorination  HTM

AE 1047

Reverse Osmosis  HTM

AE 969

Radon in North Dakota  HTM

AE 892

Individual Home Sewage Treatment Systems  HTM

AE 1156

Septic System Installation and Construction Permit Requirements in ND  HTM

John Nowatzki, Agriculture Engineer, Ag. & Biosystems Engineering, NDSU Fargo
Web page, Potential Pesticide Contamination of North Dakota Groundwater