Austin Utilities publishes an annual report showing the results of monitoring done on its drinking water. The purpose of this report is to advance consumers' understanding of drinking water and heighten awareness of the need to protect precious water resources.

Austin Utilities Water Quality Report

ACTIONS for Ensuring Water Quality in Building Premise Plumbing during and after COVID-19

Austin Utilities Wellhead Protection Plan

As a public water provider, Austin Utilities is required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to develop a plan to understand where their source water comes from and how vulnerable it may be to contamination, and also to identify potential sources of contamination based on geologic vulnerability and management strategies addressing potential contaminants. On the state level, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) administers the Source Water Protection also referred to as Wellhead Protection (WHP).

Where can I get more Information?

Water service line inventory

Austin Utilities has completed and submitted our water service line materials inventory to the Minnesota Department of Health. The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/ you may also contact us at 507-433-8886, or talk2au@austinutilities.com. To complete the service line inventory our system performed visual inspections and a record review.  

As of October 16, 2024, our inventory contains 0 lead, 0 galvanized requiring replacement, 3,234 unknown material, and 5,794 non-lead service lines. 

Links to Other Resources 

Minnesota Service Line Material Map

Water Service Line Inventory FAQ

How to Check Your Service Line Material

Lead In Water

Testing

Austin Utilities follows federally mandated testing requirements for lead in water. 30 Locations throughout Austin are sampled once every three years. The last round of tests were done in 2019. None of the 30 sites were above the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 15 parts per billion, allowed by the EPA.

Preventive Measures

Water from the wells in Austin has lead below detectable amounts. Austin Utilities takes steps to prevent lead from getting into our drinking water. To prevent corrosion, or the leeching of lead into water from lead pipes or lead in plumbing fixtures, Austin Utilities adds Polyphosphate to the water from the wells.

Where can I get more Information?

The Minnesota Department of Health has a log of relevant information.
Let it Run! - An informational sheet about lead in water.

What can I do?   

Let your water run for 60 seconds before taking water for drinking or cooking. This will clear any water that may have leeched lead from plumbing fixtures.
If you want your water tested for lead, you may contact the Southern Minnesota Water Analysis Laboratory (SEMWAL) in Rochester at 507-328-7495. They can mail you a kit for taking a sample for testing. There is a nominal charge for this test. A private lab in New Ulm is Minnesota Valley Testing Lab, you can contact them at 800-783-3557