Environmental Health

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

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

  1. On-Site Wastewater Inspections during COVID-19 Outbreak
A Note from Southeastern MN Water Analysis Laboratory:

The lab will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day. Samples will be accepted from 8a-12p on Wednesday, July 1st. Sample will not be accepted on Thursday, July 2nd.

Due to this holiday schedule, please avoid sending kits via UPS on Wednesday, July 1st.


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.

Other Responsibilities


The Environmental Health division also becomes involved in:
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Grant Programs
  • Public Health Nuisance Complaints
  • Solid Waste Issues, Air Quality Issues
  • Water Quality Issues

 Rice County residents that are looking to obtain a water test kit are advised to order online directly from the Olmsted County website, which can be found at: https://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/OCPHS/programs/food/semwal/Pages/default.aspx. 

The PDF in the section below explains the temporary changes of water testing procedures.

For questions or concerns relating to Environmental Health, please contact Marilee DeGroot,  507-332-6170 or by email.

Financial Assistance - Septic System Information 

  1. Septic Revolving Loan Program Information (PDF)
  2. Septic Revolving Loan Application (PDF)
  3. Septic Loan Program Brochure (PDF)
  4. Temporary Water Testing Procedures (PDF)
  5. Water Test Kits (PDF)
  6. When is a Septic Evaluation Required in Rice County

MPCA Licensed Professionals


  1. Rice County Compliance Inspection Form (PDF)
  2. Holding Tank Pumping and Disposal Contract (PDF)
  3. Pumping Certificate Form (PDF)
  4. Septic Permit Application (PDF)
  5. Septic Setbacks Form (PDF)
  6. Septic Variance Packet (PDF)
  7. Sewage and Wastewater Treatment Ordinance (PDF)
  8. Soil Verification Form (PDF)
  9. Service Provider Report - Maintenance Monitoring (PDF)
  10. Septic System Abandonment Reporting Form (PDF)