Private Wells

Homes on private wells can be found throughout the state but are least common in northwest and southwest Minnesota. Geologic conditions in these regions make it difficult for wells to yield water. As a result, rural public water systems serve many of the homes.

There is a notable difference between the total number of homes on private wells and number of primary residence homes on private wells in counties with many seasonal or vacation homes, like in Minnesota's northern lake country. Other counties, like those in the seven-county Twin Cities metro, show relatively little change in number of homes on wells when limited to primary residences.

Counties in the northern half of Minnesota tend to have the highest percent of homes on private wells. Counties that contain or border larger towns and cities have a lower percent of homes on private wells because of community water system coverage in these areas. Northwest and southwest Minnesota also have a lower percent of homes on wells because many homes are served by rural community water systems.

Census tracts in the northern half of Minnesota tend to have the highest number of homes on private wells. Tracts that include larger towns and cities have fewer homes on private wells. Towns and cities frequently have their own community water systems.

Census tracts that have a higher concentration of seasonal or vacation homes, like in Minnesota's northern lake country, have notably fewer homes on private wells compared to the total number of homes on wells.

Many census tracts have a large proportion of homes on private wells. Census tracts in the Twin Cities metro area and northwest/southwest Minnesota have a lower percent of homes on private wells because of community water system coverage in these areas.