What's in the water in Anoka County? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is about to find out.

Over the next two months, the DNR will take 90 water samples from Anoka County wells. The samples will be analyzed and tested to learn how long the water has been underground.

DNR hydrologists are collecting the samples for the Anoka County Geologic Atlas, a cooperative effort involving staff from the Minnesota Geological Survey, the DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division, Anoka County, and the Anoka County Water and Soil Conservation district.

The process involves measuring the depth of each well. The wells will be chosen on the basis of location, geology, well depth and construction.

Before testing the water, DNR staff will contact residents for permission. Owners of the wells that are sampled will receive a report of the laboratory results for their well.

For further information, go to tinyurl.com/m6q3ydh and tinyurl.com/mwpfj9u

PAUL LEVY

paul.levy@startribune.com