Mower County Water Management

Mower County's Water Plan has been updated to use the Watershed approach.  Mower County is covered by one of two different One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) programs: Cedar-Wapsi 1W1P and managed through cooperation with Mower SWCD

Water Testing

Mower County no longer conducts private water testing.  A test kit can be obtained from Austin Utilities (1908 4th St NE - Austin) or from Mower SWCD (1408 21st Ave NW - Austin); there is no charge for the kit, which includes instructions for sampling your water and a form to complete the testing you'd like ordered.  Fees are paid directly to the testing lab by the Owner.  

More information on private wells and water testing can be found at Minnesota Department of Health

Haven’t tested for nitrate recently?

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE WELL TEST KIT

The Minnesota Department of Health is offering free well test kits for eligible homes in eight southeast Minnesota counties. Your household may be eligible if:

1. A private well is the main source of drinking water for the place you live,
2. The private well is in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona counties,
3. You have not tested your private well water for nitrate on or a􀅌er January 1, 2019 through an accredited laboratory, and
4. A pregnant person and/or baby under 1 year of age lives in the home.

If your household meets all requirements listed above and you are interested in a well test kit for coliform bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, lead, and manganese, use the link below (or the QR code) to verify your eligibility and sign up.

https://redcap.health.state.mn.us/redcap/surveys   Code: ATANCH79J

Nitrate in your home well water?

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE BOTTLED WATER

The Minnesota Department of Health is offering a free bottled water for eligible homes in eight southeast Minnesota counties. Your address may be eligible if:

1. A private well is the main source of drinking water for the place you live,
2. The private well is in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona counties,
3. Have a recent (on or after January 1, 2019) water quality test from an accredited laboratory showing nitrate at or above 10 milligrams per liter, and
4. A pregnant person and/or baby under 1 year of age lives in the home.

If your household meets all requirements listed above and you are interested in receiving bottled water until a longer-term solution is available, fill out the form at the link below (or use the QR code) to verify your eligibility and sign up. https://redcap.health.state.mn.us/redcap/surveys  Code: 3JXFDHJ7W

Floodplain Management

Is my property in the Floodplain?  Use our Floodplain Inquiry tool to find out!


Flooding in Mower County can come quickly, and with little or no warning.  Click HERE for resources Mower County has for residents to prepare and prevent damages!  

Flood Insurance calculation has changed, see Risk Rating 2.0 or contact your insurance agent for more information.  


FEMA Resources


Access FEMA's Flood Map Service Center for Search by Address tool to view a property's flood risk or generate a map showing the flood zones on a property.

FEMA hosts a resource called FloodSmart, available HERE providing guidance for flood preparation, prevention, recovery, and assistance. 


MnDNR Resources

click HERE to access Floodplain Maps and Technical Resources from MnDNR


CRS Reporting

  1. 2021 CRS 5-year Cycle Verification Letter
  2. 2020 CRS Recertification Report Mower County MN
  3. 2019 CRS Recertification Report Mower County MN
  4. 2018 CRS Recertification Report Mower County MN