Environmental Health

The Environmental Health division administers the Rice County Sewage and Wastewater Treatment ordinance, which involves reviewing individual and community wastewater treatment system designs, issuing permits for those systems and inspecting the installation of the systems to ensure code requirements are met. 

Environmental Health staff are providing on-site inspection services for septic system installations and soil verifications as outlined in the On-Site Wastewater Inspections during COVID-19 Outbreak document.

Other responsibilities

  • Emergency preparedness and response
  • Grant programs
  • Public Health nuisance complaints
  • Solid waste issues, air quality issues
  • Water quality issues
Residents looking to obtain a water test kit can purchase one online from the Olmsted County website.

NOTE: Samples must be received within 28 hours of collection or they will be rejected.

For more information, visit the Water Testing page.

Anyone with questions regarding water testing, how to receive a kit and/or how to return a test kit, should email the Southeastern Minnesota Water Analysis Laboratory or call 507-328-7495.

Questions or concerns relating to Environmental Health, should be directed to Marilee DeGroot, 507-332-6170 or [email protected].

Financial assistance - septic system information 

  1. Septic Revolving Loan Program Information
  2. Septic Revolving Loan Application
  3. Septic Loan Program brochure
  4. When is a Septic Evaluation Required in Rice County

MPCA licensed professionals


  1. Holding Tank Pumping and Disposal contract
  2. MPCA Septic Compliance inspection form
  3. MPCA Tank Integrity form
  4. Rice County (optional) Pumping Certificate form
  5. Septic Permit Application
  6. Septic setbacks form
  7. Septic Variance Packet
  8. Sewage and Wastewater Treatment ordinance
  9. Soil Verification form
  10. Service Provider Report - Maintenance Monitoring
  11. Septic System Abandonment Reporting form
  12. MPCA Sewage Tank Maintenance Form