All Projects

An interagency workgroup is developing recommendations for best practices and policies for water reuse in Minnesota. Recommendations will include both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to successful implementation of water reuse. The workgroup will evaluate current regulations, practices, and barriers, and quantify and determine acceptable health risks associated with water reuse applications. The University of Minnesota is collecting and analyzing field data for use in targeting Minnesota-specific risks.

The Drinking Water Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) program identifies environmental contaminants for which current health-based standards currently do not exist or need to be updated, investigate the potential for human exposure to these chemicals, and develop guidance values for drinking water. Contaminants evaluated by CEC staff include contaminants that have been released or detected in Minnesota waters (surface water and groundwater) or that have the potential to migrate to or be detected in Minnesota waters.

Appropriations from the Clean Water Fund allow the Minnesota Department of Health to expand and improve the way groundwater and drinking water protection is implemented at the local level. In 2015, $300,000 was allocated to update wellhead protection areas within groundwater management areas. From 2016 onward, funding will be dedicated to the Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategies (GRAPS) initiative which will provide groundwater and drinking water information and management strategies on a HUC 8 watershed scale.

The objective of this project is to build on previous efforts aimed at determining the public health risk due to virus contamination in Minnesota groundwater. The Minnesota Department of Health will examine the occurrence of viruses in non-disinfecting groundwater sources in Minnesota as well as evaluate the association between source water virus occurrence and community acute gastrointestinal illness.

This project aims to ensure private wells are a safe source of drinking water, are tested regularly, and water quality issues are addressed.

Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. Wells used for drinking water must be properly sealed when removed from service to protect both public health and Minnesota’s invaluable groundwater resources. The Minnesota Department of Health with the assistance of the Board of Water and Soil Resources protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.” Clean Water funds are being provided to home owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused private drinking water wells.

Install security system at two of the city's well houses.

Seal two wells 215060 & 430640

Seal unused wells, Design website and maintenance, and Develop and distribute materials, printing and postage.

Televise well 6 unique well No 241492

Field reconnaissance, well evaluation and efficiency calculations.

Install a Nitrate removal treatment system.

Construct a new well to meet drinking water capacity during the fair and other events.

Provide backup power supply to City's wells.

Drill new well and seal well 265277

Managing Contamination; Cost share program to encourage producers within the DWSMA to implement Nitrogen BMPs

Install a Well House security system to current scada system.

Exploratory work to find suitable location for a new municipal well. Drilling test wells, sampling for water quality and quantity.

Wire a portable generator for emergency power outages at water treatment plant.

Install variable frequency drive on well 2 to control pump rate and pressure in water system.

Nutrient Management Stategies to reduce nitrate reaching the aquifer, public education and well sealing.

Well Construction: After grantee pays evaluation and selects well location, drill well. Cost share to be used to evaluate potential to install sentintel monitoring well upgradient of City's well field.

Install security fence around two of the city's municipal wells.

Sealing of well 564142

Sealing public well #2, also formerly known as well #1, East well. Unique well 208559

Create, Publish, and Mail article; Install software

Installation of a transfer switch and inlet for generator at city well

Expand the existing observation well monitoring network.

Update PCSI locations

Expand Minnetonka's groundwater level monitoring network

Replace Underground Fuel System at airport (20 years old) with double walled above ground system

Seal old emergency well #226189

Remove soil and debris to locate and seal old well 349233

Purchase storage unit and equipment to secure a possible spill site.

Purchase and plant 20 acres of cover crop

Consultant to develop specific performance standards and conditions to be used in the DWSMA. Wellhouse security upgrades.

PCSI update

Remove old doors, purchase and install new doors at Treatment Plant. Locate and determine sealing status of wells.

PCSI update

Sponsor MSW Festival. Educate community on SWP, WHP and water conservation.