Scandia: a Swedish settlement on the St. Croix
Scandia is believed to be Minnesota's first Swedish immigrant settlement. The first log cabin went up on the shore of Hay Lake in 1850, and the Elim Lutheran Church sanctuary followed in 1856. It became a city on January 1, 2007, after years as New Scandia Township.
Landmarks include the Gammelgården Museum, the Erickson Log House built in 1868, and Hay Lake School, built in 1896 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many nearby homes are farmhouses and rural lots, and older buildings often have older plumbing. Housing totals 1,717 units, and about 9 percent were vacant in 2020.
Before we arrive in Scandia
Close the main
On a well, the main valve is usually by the pressure tank. Turn it clockwise to stop water to the house.
Shut off the pump
If a line has burst near the well pump, switch off its breaker only if you can reach it dry.
Stop using drains
On septic, a backup can mean a full tank. Stop laundry and dishes until a plumber checks.
Call the 24/7 line
Tell the dispatcher you are in Scandia and describe the problem.
Water gone or leaking?
Call now. The dispatcher can give you safety steps while a plumber is scheduled.
No city water: wells and private water companies
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Scandia has no municipal water system. Residents rely on individual wells and private companies, mainly Scandia Water Company and Hilltop Water Company. The two primary systems draw from wells about 300 feet deep in the Jordan and Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifers.
For a homeowner, that means water quality and pressure depend on a well or a small system, and the right equipment depends on a test. Read the water softener and filtration page before buying anything. A pressure tank or pump problem is a plumbing call, and leak detection helps when a bill or pump cycling points to a hidden leak.
Septic in Washington County
Scandia is in Washington County, whose Public Health and Environment office regulates septic permits, licensing, and inspections. The county requires a compliance inspection when a property with a septic system is sold, unless a compliance inspection was filed in the last three years or a new system has a certificate of compliance from the last five.
If you are buying or selling a Scandia home, ask about the septic inspection early. A slow drain or gurgling can point at a full tank or a failing drain field, and the plumber can start with drain cleaning to rule out a clogged line.
Getting to Scandia
Minnesota Highways 95 and 97 are the main routes, and the city sits halfway between Stillwater and Taylors Falls, near William O'Brien State Park. Marine on St. Croix is just south. Distances on rural roads vary, so we do not promise a specific arrival time, but same-day appointments are offered when available.
Nearby towns we also serve
From Scandia, the other towns we cover sit on the far side of Forest Lake, with Wyoming to the northwest and Hugo to the south.
Common Questions
Yes. The 24/7 line covers Scandia, MN around the clock. Call, give your address, and tell the dispatcher whether you have a well and septic.
Scandia uses ZIP codes 55073 and 55047. Call with your address if you are unsure whether it is in range.
No. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Scandia has no municipal water system. Residents use individual wells and private companies.
In Washington County, a compliance inspection is required at sale unless one was filed in the last three years or a new system has a certificate from the last five.
Turn off the pump breaker if you can reach it dry, close the main valve if there is a leak, and call the 24/7 line.