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.
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 protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.
Clean Water funds are being provided to well owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused public water-supply wells.
Conduct well survey to determine property owners that may need to seal wells, survey compilation, update PCSI well status and mailing and develop spill response plan.
Improve security by purchasing and installing doors on city's well house, create and publish article on protecting source of water, potential contaminants, and wellhead program.
Provide information meeting about incentive to encourage agriculture producers to reduce nitrate. Establish incentive for agriculture producers to use best management practices to reduce nitrate in drinking water system.
Drill well to clear pump for borehole geophysical survey on well 2. Purchase spill response materials to be better prepared in case of spill or train derailment.
Clean well 228834 to decrease draw down and bring capacity of well back to normal range. Pull well pump and televise well, Jet well casing and screen, jet and chlorinate well, final televising and set up well pump
Remove concrete, fill annular space with grout, fabricate well head, paint interior piping, reinstall pump, motor and drop pipe to stop potential source of contamination from entering city wells.
Identify and update Potential Contaminant Source Inventory to eliminate private wells with potential pathway for contamination. Purchase, replace 2 data loggers, 1 indicator for data collection equipment
Construct a well. Extend new overhead drop from existing power pole to pump house for 240 volt service. Extend new circuit from loadcenter to location of new pressure switch and well control box.
Construct new well to provide safe water for the public to be in compliance with the Revised Total Coliform Rule and Safe Drinking Water Act Requirements. Seal old unused well to prevent potential contaminants from entering groundwater for other wells dra
Septic tank replacement, replace lift station, surge storage and mound dosing tank controls. Replace mound drip distribution system with standard pressure distribution system.
Provide first half of rent payment to landowner to allow city to implement nitrogen BMPs on field. Purchase and custom seed rye to scavenge up the residual nitrogen in the soil to keep it from getting into groundwater.
