HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicWorksPipelineSpring2016Your Drinking Water Is Certified Safe
This issue of Public Works Pipeline contains the City’s annual water quality report, which includes complete information
on the monitoring done on Edina’s drinking water last year. Morningside Neighborhood residents who receive their
water from the City of Minneapolis will find information detailing the quality of Minneapolis’ water on Pages 9-10.
A detailed account of Edina’s water quality is in this issue, including test results on all contaminants deemed
by the Minnesota Department of Health to pose a health risk.
The City’s goal is to provide residents with water that surpasses both state and federal requirements for safety
and quality. This year’s report shows that Edina’s water surpasses regulatory standards on all counts.
Recent media stories have reminded residents of water contamination coming from St. Louis Park. The City of Edina
has been aware of the issue for quite some time and took corrective actions years ago in response to the contamination.
In the early 2000s, Well No. 7, a well in Sherwood Park drawing from the Jordan aquifer, tested above the Maximum
Contaminant Level set by the Environmental Protection Agency for vinyl chloride, a colorless organic gas with
a sweet odor. Well No. 7 was shut down in early October 2003 and was not turned on again until after a
high-capacity treatment plant was built at the Danen’s Building at 5116 Brookside Ave. in 2012. The plant
is equipped with an aeration system specially designed to filter out vinyl chloride. Since the plant came online,
the water coming from Well No. 7 has been treated and is safe to drink.
For more information, contact Edina Public Works at 952-826-0312.Tips
2016 Water Report
For the Year 2015
Neighborhood Street Reconstructions Are Under Way See Page 11 for details
PipelinePUBLIC WORKS
2
City Asks Residents and Businesses to Protect Waterways
By Krystal Caron
You may not spring into action when you hear
the term “illicit discharge,” but Water Resource
Coordinator Jessica Vanderwerff Wilson thinks
you should.
According to Wilson, illicit discharge includes
anything that goes into the storm drain and is not
water falling from the sky (with some exceptions).
“It could be soapy water, oil, paint or garbage and
it could be intentional or unintentional,” said
Wilson. “A common misconception is that water
that goes down the storm drain gets treated, but
it does not. It goes directly to a lake, stream,
wetland or river.”
Anything in your house that is connected to a pipe,
like the toilet, shower or washing machine, carries
the water to a waste water treatment plant.
At that point, the waste water is filtered and
disinfected. However, anything dumped in or near
a storm drain does not get the same treatment.
It goes directly into the water supply, potentially
affecting drinking water, wetlands and wildlife.
To protect the water supply, the City has a law
prohibiting illicit discharge. While residents
should work to protect the water in any way
possible, the City’s illicit discharge ordinance does
not apply to residents washing cars in driveways,
irrigation water, water running off lawns,
firefighting activities or draining de-chlorinated
swimming pools. Common violations are
businesses dumping wash water or individuals
dumping items, including leaves, oil or paint.
Anyone in violation is given a verbal warning for
the first offense, followed by a written warning.
If violations continue to occur, the City may
remove the connection to the storm sewer
system and the responsible party may be subject
to civil action for the damages. In extenuating
circumstances, the issue may be reviewed by the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or elevated
to the federal level.
Because these offenses can happen in a few
minutes, the City relies on residents to report
suspicious activity whenever they see it.
“If there is any color or smell or stuff floating in
it, then that’s a sure sign that it’s probably not
supposed to be going down the storm drain. If
you’re not sure, you should report it anyway and
we can come out,” said Wilson. “A challenge
with illicit discharge is that it’s not constantly
happening; it’s a quick thing, so we really need
some vigilant eyes city-wide.”
To report suspicious activity, call the Public
Works Department at 952-826-0376, 7 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the
Police Department’s non-emergency line at
952-826-1610 outside of regular business
hours. Residents can also use the City’s mobile
app, Edina To Go, to report a problem. The
Fire-Rescue & Inspections Department Spill
Response Team addresses larger spills.
“We need your help because there may be issues
that we are not even aware of,” said Wilson.
“We can do better and we need your help to
do better.”
For more information, contact Wilson at
952-826-0445 or jwilson@EdinaMN.gov.
Hennepin County Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Facilities
Residents can safely dispose of paint, oil,
electronics and other household hazardous
substances at either of the two year-round
Hennepin County Drop-Off facilities.
Brooklyn Park Location:
Hennepin County Recycling Center
and Transfer Station
8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Bloomington Location:
South Hennepin Recycling and
Problem Waste Drop-Off Center
1400 West 96th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431
For hours of operation, a list of what is accepted
or more information, visit hennepin.us or call
612-348-3777. Learn more about green recycling
and reducing waste at hennepin.us/green-
disposal-guide. Hennepin County Drop-Off
Facilities will not accept waste from businesses,
including home businesses. For business
waste and recycling information, visit
rethinkrecycling.com/businesses.
Edina residents can pick up free medication
disposal bags Monday through Friday from
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Edina Police
Department, 4801 W. 50th St., and Edina Fire
Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave.
City Asks Residents to Seal Unused Wells
There are several privately owned wellheads in Edina
that may no longer be in use. Wells are a direct
connection to ground water and, in Edina, ground
water is also the drinking water source. In order
to prevent contamination of the City’s drinking
water supply, residents are encouraged to seal
any unused wells on their properties.
Grant money may be available to seal
unused wellheads.
For more information, contact Water Resource
Coordinator Jessica Vanderwerff Wilson at
952-826-0445 or jwilson@EdinaMN.gov.
City Uses Hydroseed To Restore Lawns
Have you ever wondered about the blueish-
green fluff sprayed on the ground after a
construction project wraps up?
The fluff, called hydroseed, is a mix of
fertilizer, mulch and a seed specially
selected for our area to restore lawns.
During a street reconstruction or underground
infrastructure repair, lawns are often dug
up within the right-of-way. Until 2013, the
City used sod to restore lawns following
street reconstruction projects. The City’s
Engineering Department found that while
attractive when first laid, the honeymoon
period with sod quickly ended. To combat
this, the City switched to hydroseeding.
“Sod is grown under ideal conditions, so it
looks good at first, but needs a lot of water
and maintenance to get established, and
often dies quickly,” said City Engineer Chad
Millner. “It’s not the most resilient turf
material and is easily susceptible to heat and
lack of moisture.”
“Hydroseeding holds moisture well, helping
the seed and root sprouts to grow,”
Millner said. Hydroseed is placed on loose
soil, and the root penetrates and grows
naturally. With sod, Millner said, “the turf is
growing already, and root base needs
to re-establish itself in the in-place
material, which could take longer to
happen. Hydroseed, which is established
under more natural conditions, has better
long-term survival.”
Hydroseed costs significantly less than sod,
adding to overall project cost savings. On
average, hydroseed costs about 75 percent
less than sod. It is also more resistant to
pests and weeds as it is grown in-place
rather than transplanted.
Following a street reconstruction, the
contractor maintains the hydroseed for
90 days. At the end of the maintenance
period, a final inspection is done, and areas
that do not meet contract specifications
are re-hydroseeded. Once the hydroseeded
area is given a passing grade, maintenance
becomes the full responsibility of the
homeowner.
For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov/
Engineering or call 952-826-0371.
– Compiled by Jordan Gilgenbach
Hydroseed is a mixture of grass seed and fertilizer that is used to restore lawns.File PhotoFollow these tips to maintain a hydroseeded lawn:
• Keep soil moist with light sprinkling
in the morning, late afternoon or
early evening.
• Continue watering even after the
grass looks established.
• Fertilization requirements vary,
depending on the time of year.
Consult a reputable nursery or seed
center for fertilizer specifications.
• Mow as soon as the grass blades are
3 to 4 inches high. Set the mower
deck to the highest setting, and make
sure the blades are sharp. Dull blades
can bruise and damage new grass.
• Do not collect the clippings as
this helps feed the soil and
accelerates development.
• Weeds will likely appear and are
best eradicated by growing good,
healthy grass and following proper
maintenance techniques.
3
4
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My sewer is backing up! What do I do?
A: If you experience a sewer backup, call the
City immediately at 952-826-0375. After
3:30 p.m. weekdays or on weekends or
holidays, call the Edina Police Department’s
non-emergency number, 952-826-1610, and
they will dispatch help immediately.
Calling the City first doesn’t cost you
anything. The Public Works Department
might be able to help you resolve the
problem before a plumber is required. City
crews will check the sewer main in the
street to make sure it is running properly.
If the blockage is within your service line,
a City employee will instruct you on what to
do next.
Q: Is “biodegradable” material
“flushable” material?
A: There are only three things that should be
flushed down a toilet. These are toilet paper,
urine and feces. When grease, paper towels,
wipes, rags, diapers or other “sanitary” items,
including “flushable” wipes, are flushed into
the sanitary system, they create clogs, which
in turn cause sewer back-ups.
Q: What is the hardness of Edina water
and what level should I set my water
softener to?
A: Edina water has approximately 18 grains
of hardness. The Utility Division of the
Public Works Department recommends
setting your softener to obtain 3 to 4
grains of hardness.
Q: Sometimes my water smells like bleach.
Why? Is that harmful? What can I do to
rid the water of that smell?
A: The City uses recommended amounts of
chlorine to remove microorganisms from
the water. Edina maintains its chlorine
level between 1 and 1.5 parts per million.
We test the water every day to make sure
the levels are within national regulation
guidelines. This level of chlorine is not
harmful, but may smell offensive to
individuals. An easy solution is to keep
a container of water stored in your
refrigerator. The chlorine gas dissipates
very quickly, leaving no odor.
Q: My family from out of state says my water
tastes different. Can that be true?
A: Yes. Whenever you go to other areas
of the state or country, water can taste
different because of different treatment
processes or minerals that might be
contained in the water.
Q: I have orange spots on my white laundry.
Are the clothes ruined?
A: There can be iron particles in your water
that pass through the City’s filtration
system and even your water softener. If
you get orange spots or if the laundry is
slightly discolored, it can be fixed - as
long as you don’t dry the clothes first!
There is a product that the City distributes
at no charge called “RoVer.” RoVer is a
powder form of rust remover. You can pick
it up at City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., or the
Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility,
7450 Metro Blvd.
– Compiled by Susan Waack
Keep Edina Clean, Pick Up After Your Dog
By Lauryn Grimes
Everyone who creates a footprint, human or
otherwise, produces waste. With so many
furry friends in Edina, the City encourages
residents to understand the importance of
cleaning up after dogs.
According to combined data from the 2010
Census, there are approximately 20,000
households in Edina. The American
Veterinary Medical Association says that
36.5 percent of all households own at
least one dog. Based on this information,
it’s projected that the City has
approximately 11,700 canine residents.
There are two City ordinances that guide
residents on how to deal with pet waste.
“Together, these ordinances work to enforce
a healthy environment for all residents,”
said Animal Control Officer Timothy
Hunter. “Cleaning up after pets reduces
odor and disease vectors and, especially
in the case of public spaces, it also
reduces or eliminates the chance of people
stepping or slipping in feces and tracking
it into a home or other building.”
Pet waste isn’t only an issue of cleanliness
and general health, it also affects
our environment.
“Animal waste, especially in an urban
setting, can significantly contribute to
water pollution,” said Water Resources
Coordinator Jessica Vanderwerff Wilson.
“This type of waste can add nutrients, like
phosphorus, that can lead to algae blooms
and excess vegetation.”
According to Wilson, the other side of the
problem is bacteria and once this waste
has made its way to a body of water, it’s
hard to get out. Though Edina doesn’t
have any public beaches, residents
and visitors still recreate on the water
and ingestion of or over-exposure to
contaminated water can lead to illness.
“There’s a common misconception that all
water that goes into a drain is treated,”
said Wilson. “That’s true of sanitary
water – like when you wash your hands,
flush the toilet or take a shower – but
anything that goes into the street drains
does not get treated. The easiest way
to keep this waste out of our lakes and
streams is to pick up that waste and
throw it in the trash.”
Residents who allow their pet to eliminate
on their properties should also be aware
of how animal waste can affect our lakes
and streams. Regardless of vicinity to a
body of water, every resident lives in a
watershed and any water that leaves a
property goes onto the street and into
a storm drain that travels directly to the
nearest body of water.
The City does what it can to help reduce
water pollution by sweeping streets,
cleaning catch-basins and storm drains
and more, but residents have a big role to
play when it comes to pet waste making
its way into our lakes and streams.
Raingardens also help contain pollution
caused by pet waste as they can help
capture the water that falls. The plants
either use or break down the nutrients
and the bacteria breaks down in the soil
over time.
“We need residents to help us solve this
problem,” said Wilson. “We can’t do it on
our own.
For more information on local laws
pertaining to pet waste, contact
Animal Control at 952-826-0494.
Edina City Code Chapter 8, Section 8-264 –
Dogs; cleaning up feces
(a) The owner of any dog or any person
having the custody or control of any dog
shall be responsible for cleaning up any
feces of the dog and disposing the feces
in a clean and sanitary manner. Every
occupant of a dwelling unit, or owner if
the dwelling unit is not occupied, shall
remove dog feces from the unit, the yard,
or lot on which the unit is located and
dispose of such dog feces in a clean and
sanitary manner.
(b) Any person having the custody or control
of a dog may not allow the dog to be on
property, public or private, not owned or
possessed by such person without having
in his or her immediate possession a
device for the removal of feces and a bag
or other means to dispose of such feces in
a clean and sanitary manner.
(c) This section does not apply to guide dogs
accompanying a blind person or to a dog
used by police or in rescue actions.
Edina City Code Chapter 8, Section 8-267 –
Clean yard and enclosure
A dog owner shall regularly clean any yard
occupied by the dog, or dog enclosure
occupied by the dog, whether now
existing or hereafter constructed, and any
area in which the dog has been picketed,
and shall not permit feces or food scraps
to remain for more than 24 hours.File Photo5
The City of Edina is issuing
the results of monitoring
done on its drinking water
for the period from Jan. 1 to
Dec. 31, 2015.
The purpose of this report is to advance
consumers’ understanding of drinking
water and heighten awareness of the need
to protect precious water resources.
Source of Water
The City of Edina provides drinking water
to its residents from a groundwater
source: 17 wells ranging from 381 to
1,080 feet deep that draw water from
the Mount Simon, Jordan and Prairie Du
Chien-Jordan aquifers.
The Minnesota Department of Health
has made a determination as to how
vulnerable our systems’ source(s) of
water may be to future contamination
incidents. If you wish to obtain the
entire source water assessment regarding
your drinking water, please call
651-201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318 (and
press 5) during normal business hours.
Also, you can view it online at
health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/swp/swa.
Call 952-826-0312 if you have questions
about the City of Edina’s drinking
water or would like information about
opportunities for public participation in
decisions that may affect the quality of
the water.
Results of Monitoring
No contaminants were detected at levels that
violated federal drinking water standards.
However, some contaminants were detected
in trace amounts that were below legal
limits. The table that follows shows the
contaminants that were detected in trace
amounts last year. (Some contaminants are
sampled less frequently than once a year; as
a result, not all contaminants were sampled
in 2015. If any of these contaminants were
detected the last time they were sampled
for, they are included in the table along
with the date the detection occurred.)
Key to Abbreviations:
90th Percentile Level: This is the value
obtained after disregarding 10 percent of
the samples taken that had the highest
levels. (For example, in a situation
in which 10 samples were taken, the
90th percentile level is determined by
disregarding the highest result, which
represents 10 percent of the samples.)
Note: In situations in which only five
samples are taken, the average of the
two with the highest levels is taken to
determine the 90th percentile level.
AL: Action Level: The concentration of a
contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers
treatment or other requirement which a
water system must follow.
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: The
highest level of a contaminant that is
allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as
close to the MCLGs as feasible using the
best available treatment technology.
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal:
The level of a contaminant in drinking
water below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a
margin of safety.
MRDL: Maximum Residual
Disinfectant Level
MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant
Level Goal
N/A: Not Applicable (does not apply)
nd: No Detection
pCi/l: PicoCuries per liter: a measure
of radioactivity.
ppb: Parts per billion, which can also be
expressed as micrograms per liter (μg/l).
ppm: Parts per million, which can
also be expressed as milligrams per
liter (mg/l).
2015 City of Edina Drinking Water Report
6
Contaminant (units)MCLG MCL
Level Found
Typical Source of ContaminantRange (2015)Average/
Result*
Alpha Emitters (pCi/l)0 15.4 8.9-11 11 Erosion of natural deposits.
Barium (ppm)
(07/25/2013)2 2 N/A 0.14 Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries;
Erosion of natural deposits.
Combined Radium (pCi/l)0 5.4 4.9-5.3 5.3 Erosion of natural deposits.
Fluoride (ppm)4 4 0.59-0.98 0.99
State of Minnesota requires all municipal water systems to add fluoride
to the drinking water to promote strong teeth; Erosion of natural
deposits; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)0 60 5.8-10.4 10.4 By-product of drinking water disinfection.
TTHM (Total trihalomethanes) (ppb)0 80 34.1-37.4 37.4 By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Trichloroethylene (ppb)0 5 0.11-0.69 0.52 Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories.
Vinyl Chloride (ppb)0 2 nd-0.34 0.22 Leaching from PVC piping;
Discharge from plastics factories.
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene (ppb)70 70 3.6-5 4.08 Discharge from industrial chemical factories.
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (ppb)100 100 0.14-0.19 0.16 Discharge from industrial chemical factories.
*This is the value used to determine compliance with federal standards. It sometimes is the highest value detected and sometimes is an average of all the detected values. If it is an average, it may contain
sampling results from the previous year.
Contaminant (units)MRDLG MRDL *********Typical Source of Contaminant
Chlorine (ppm)4 4 0.4-0.6 0.58 Water additive used to control microbes.
****Highest and Lowest Monthly Average. *****Highest Quarterly Average.
Contaminant (units)MCLG AL 90% Level # sites over AL Typical Source of Contaminant
Copper (ppm)
(07/30/2013)1.3 1.3 1.16 1 out of 30 Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural deposits.
Lead (ppb)
(07/30/2013)0 15 2.4 0 out of 30 Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural deposits.
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause
serious health problems, especially for
pregnant women and young children.
Lead in drinking water is primarily from
materials and components associated with
service lines and home plumbing. The City
of Edina is responsible for providing high
quality drinking water, but cannot control
the variety of materials used in plumbing
components. When your water has been
sitting for several hours, you can minimize
the potential for lead exposure by flushing
your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before
using water for drinking or cooking. If you
are concerned about lead in your water,
you may wish to have your water tested.
Information on lead in drinking water,
testing methods and steps you can take to
minimize exposure is available from the Safe
Drinking Water Hotlines available online at
epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Monitoring may have been done for additional
contaminants that do not have MCLs
established for them and are not required
to be monitored under the Safe Drinking
Water Act. Results may be available by
calling 651-201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318
during normal business hours.
Monitoring for unregulated contaminants as
required by U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency rules (40 CFR 141.40) was conducted
in 2015. Results of the unregulated
contaminant monitoring are available upon
request from Cindy Swanson, Minnesota
Department of Health, at 651-201-4656.7
Compliance with
National Primary
Drinking Water Regulations
The sources of drinking water (both tap
water and bottled) include rivers, lakes,
streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and
wells. As water travels over the surface of
the land or through the ground, it dissolves
naturally occurring minerals and, in some
cases, radioactive material, and can pick up
substances resulting from the presence of
animals or from human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source
water include:
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses
and bacteria, which may come from
sewage treatment plants, septic
systems, agricultural livestock
operations and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts
and metals, which can be naturally
occurring or result from urban stormwater
runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining
or farming.
Pesticides and herbicides, which may
come from a variety of sources such as
agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and
residential uses.
Organic chemical contaminants, including
synthetic and volatile organic chemicals,
which are by-products of industrial
processes and petroleum production, and
can also come from gas stations, urban
stormwater runoff and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants, which
can be naturally occurring or be the
result of oil and gas production and
mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is
safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes
regulations that limit the amount of
certain contaminants in water provided
by public water systems. Food and Drug
Administration regulations establish
limits for contaminants in bottled water,
which must provide the same protection
for public health.
Drinking water, including bottled
water, may reasonably be expected
to contain at least small amounts of
some contaminants. The presence of
contaminants does not necessarily
indicate that water poses a health risk.
More information about contaminants
and potential health effects can be
obtained by calling the Environmental
Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Some people may be more vulnerable
to contaminants in drinking water
than the general population.
Immuno-compromised people such
as those with cancer undergoing
chemotherapy, those who have
undergone organ transplants, people
with HIV/AIDS or other immune system
disorders, some elderly and infants can
be particularly at risk from infections.
These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care
providers. EPA and Centers for Disease
Control Prevention guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk of
infection by Cryptosporidium and other
microbial contaminants are available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
at 1-800-426-4791.
8
2015 City of Minneapolis Drinking Water Report
The City of Minneapolis
is issuing the results
of monitoring done on its
drinking water for the period
from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015.
The purpose of this report is to advance
consumers’ understanding of drinking
water and heighten awareness of the need
to protect precious water resources.
Source of Water
The City of Minneapolis provides drinking
water to its residents from surface water
drawn from the Mississippi River.
The Minnesota Department of Health
has made a determination as to how
vulnerable our systems’ source(s) of
water may be to future contamination
incidents. If you wish to obtain the
entire source water assessment
regarding your drinking water, please
call 651-201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318
(and press 5) during normal business
hours. Also, you can view it online at
health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/
swp/swa.
Call 612-373-3000 if you have questions
about the City of Minneapolis’ drinking
water or would like information about
opportunities for public participation in
decisions that may affect the quality of
the water.
Results of Monitoring
No contaminants were detected at levels
that violated federal drinking water
standards. However, some contaminants
were detected in trace amounts that
were below legal limits. The table that
follows shows the contaminants that
were detected in trace amounts last
year. (Some contaminants are sampled
less frequently than once a year; as
a result, not all contaminants were
sampled for in 2015. If any of these
contaminants were detected the last
time they were sampled for, they are
included in the table along with the
date that the detection occurred.)
Key to abbreviations:
90th Percentile Level: This is the value
obtained after disregarding 10 percent of
the samples taken that had the highest
levels. (For example, in a situation
in which 10 samples were taken, the
90th percentile level is determined by
disregarding the highest result, which
represents 10 percent of the samples.)
Note: In situations in which only five
samples are taken, the average of the
two with the highest levels is taken to
determine the 90th percentile level.
AL: Action Level: The concentration
of a contaminant which, if exceeded,
triggers treatment or other requirements
which a water system must follow.
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level: The
highest level of a contaminant that is
allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set
as close to the MCLGs as feasible using
the best available treatment technology.
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal:
The level of a contaminant in drinking
water below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for
a margin of safety.
MRDL: Maximum Residual
Disinfectant Level
MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfectant
Level Goal
N/A: Not Applicable (does not apply)
nd: No Detection
NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, used to
measure clarity in drinking water.
oocysts/L: Oocysts/Liter, (a measurement
of the number of Cryptosporidium (or
Giardia) spores).
ppb: Parts per billion, which can
also be expressed as micrograms
per liter (μg/l).
ppm: Parts per million,
which can also be expressed as milligrams
per liter (mg/l).
TT: Treatment Technique: A required
process intended to reduce
the level of a contaminant in
drinking water.
9
Contaminant (units)MCLG MCL Level Found Typical Source of ContaminantRange (2015)Average/Result*
Cryptosporidium N/A N/A nd-.3 N/A Human and animal fecal waste.
Fluoride (ppm)4 4 0.64-1 0.97
State of Minnesota requires all municipal water
systems to add fluoride to the drinking water to
promote strong teeth; Erosion of natural deposits;
Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)0 60 nd-31.5 26.13 By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm)10.4 10.4 N/A 0.46 Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks,
sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
TTHM (Total trihalomethanes)
(ppb)0 80 8.3-31.7 28.3 By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Total Coliform Bacteria 0 Present >5%N/A 1%Naturally present in the environment.
*This is the value used to determine compliance with federal standards. It sometimes is the highest value detected and sometimes is an average of all the detected values. If it is an average, it may contain sampling results from the previous year.
Follw-up sampling showed no contamination present.
****Highest and Lowest Monthly Average. *****Highest Quarterly Average.
Contaminant (units)MRDLG MRDL *********Typical Source of Contaminant
Chloramine 4 4 2.8-3.5 3.21 Water additive used to control microbes.
10
Contaminant Unit % Removal Requirement % Removal Achieved # of Quarters out of Compliance Typical Source of Contaminant
Total Organic Carbon % Removed 25-30%50-61.5%0 Naturally present in the environment.
**Lowest Monthly Percentage of Samples Meeting the Turbidity Limits.
***Highest Single Measurement.
Contaminant (units)MCLG MCL *****Typical Source of Contaminant
Turbidity (NTU)N/A TT 100%0.17 Soil runoff.
Turbidity is a measure of the clarity of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.
Contaminant (units)MCLG AL 90% Level # sites over AL Typical Source of Contaminant
Copper (ppm) 1.3 1.3 0.08 0 out of 54 Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural deposits.
Lead (ppb)0 15 1.6 0 out of 54 Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural deposits.
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Contaminant (units)MCLGMCLLevel FoundTypical Source of ContaminantRange (2015)Average/Result*
CryptosporidiumN/AN/And-.3N/AHuman and animal fecal waste.
Fluoride (ppm)440.64-10.97
State of Minnesota requires all municipal water
systems to add fluoride to the drinking water to
promote strong teeth; Erosion of natural deposits;
Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)060nd-31.526.13By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm)10.410.4N/A0.46Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks,
sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
TTHM (Total trihalomethanes)
(ppb)0808.3-31.728.3By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Total Coliform Bacteria0 Present>5%N/A1%Naturally present in the environment.
Turbidity is a measure of the clarity of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.
2016 Pedestrian, Sidewalk and Bike Projects:
• Interlachen Boulevard Sidewalk from
Oxford Avenue to Vernon Avenue
• Interlachen Boulevard Sidewalk from Mirror
Lakes Drive to Interlachen Bluff
• Cornelia Drive Sidewalk from West 66th
Street to West 70th Street
• Vernon Avenue Sidewalk from Gleason Road
to Blake Road
• Concord Avenue Sidewalk from Southview
Lane to Lakeview Drive (Golf Terrace B)
• West 56th Street Sidewalk from Concord
Avenue to Wooddale Avenue (Golf Terrace B)
• Tower Street Sidewalk from Concord Avenue
to Wooddale Avenue (Golf Terrace B)
• Beard Avenue South Sidewalk from
from West 60th Street to Service Road
(Strachauer Park A)
• Xerxes Avenue South Sidewalk from West
56th Street to West 60th Street
• Valley View Road/Valley Lane Intersection
crossing for Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
• Valley Lane Sidewalk at Railroad Crossing
• West 77th Street/Parklawn Avenue
Crossing Improvements
• West 69th Street (Galleria to Southdale
Center) Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
• West 72nd Street/Ohms Lane Bike
Lane Restriping
11
N eighborhood Streets Reconstructed This Summer
By Jordan Gilgenbach
Several neighborhood streets in Edina are under
construction. Though it may be inconvenient,
repairing and replacing infrastructure is integral
to preventing further damage and providing
continued high-quality services.
The City is responsible for 230 miles of roadway,
80 miles of storm sewer mains, 180 miles of
sanitary sewer mains, 200 miles of water mains,
2,000 hydrants, 18 deep-water wells and more.
All the above- and below-ground infrastructure
must be inspected and maintained or
eventually replaced.
The Engineering Department prioritizes street
and utility work for the current year based on
necessity for improvements, planning projects
five or more years in advance. Depending on
the neighborhood, infrastructure to be repaired
or replaced includes streets, storm sewers,
sanitary sewers, water mains, fire hydrants and
street lighting. Private utility companies may
also elect to upgrade or replace underground
infrastructure during these projects to minimize
future disruptions.
Projects underway include Golf Terrace B;
Strachauer Park A; Morningside A and White Oaks
C; Tracy Avenue between Minnesota Highway 62
and Benton Avenue; and the Tracy Avenue, Valley
Lane and Valley View Road intersection.
Many of Edina’s streets and underground
infrastructure up for replacement were built in
the 1960s. Engineering Director Chad Millner
said many streets are 50 to 60 years old –
10 to 20 years past a street’s life expectancy.
The situation is similar for the City’s underground
infrastructure, much of it outliving its
anticipated life expectancy by 10 or more years.
The City expects these projects to be completed
this fall. Construction timelines vary, depending
on the size and scope of the project.
“Street reconstructions aren’t fun to live near,
but they are vital to provide sound City services
such as water, sewer and fire suppression and
allow access for emergency vehicles,” Millner
said. Once a reconstruction is completed,
affected residents benefit from a new street
and better infrastructure with a smaller
chance of service disruptions.
The City recommends that residents affected by
street reconstructions check their front doors
daily for time-sensitive notices and sign up for
“City Extra” emails, which provide residents
with a weekly update of construction activities
in these neighborhoods.
Street projects in Edina are paid for with special
assessments to properties in each neighborhood
and with money from the City’s Utility Fund.
In addition to street reconstruction projects, 14
pedestrian, sidewalk and bicycle improvement
projects are scheduled to be complete this year.
These new sidewalks are paid for by the City’s
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety (PACS) Fund. The
revenue in the fund is to be used exclusively
for improvements to the City’s non-motorized
transportation network.
Several non-City projects by the Minnesota
Department of Transportation and CenterPoint
Energy are under way, which may also impact
routes in and around the City. Learn more about
these projects at EdinaMN.gov/construction_
current_projects.
For more information about street reconstruction
projects, contact the City’s Engineering
Department at 952-826-0371. To keep up to
date on these projects, visit EdinaMN.gov/
Engineering. Sign up for “City Extra” emails
at EdinaMN.gov/CityExtra.
Follow City’s Guidelines for Lawn Watering
By Dawn Wills
To ensure an adequate water supply, the City
of Edina has an odd-even sprinkling policy.
Homes with even-numbered addresses may
water their lawns before 11 a.m. or after 5
p.m. on even numbered dates of the week.
Homes with odd-numbered addresses may
water before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on
odd numbered dates.
To ensure adequate water supply and
promote water conservation, the City has a
daytime irrigation ban. Watering is banned
from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, reducing
water wasted through evaporation and
allowing pumps to refill water storage
facilities for peak evening use.
Surcharges for violating the irrigation ban
are determined based on the number of
water restriction violations issued to the
property owner in a three-year period.
Residents who live in Edina’s Morningside
Neighborhood and receive their water
from the City of Minneapolis or those with
private wells are not affected. Morningside
Neighborhood residents must adhere to
any restrictions issued by Minneapolis.
Public Works Coordinator David Goergen
reminds property owners that some
automatic sprinkler systems must be reset
at the end of months that have 31 days
because there are two odd-numbered dates
in a row.
Rain sensors can be purchased for automatic
sprinkler systems. A rain sensor is a device
that shuts off a sprinkler system if rain is
detected. Quickly repairing or disabling
broken water heads can also minimize
utility bills.
Goergen also offers the following tips for
effective watering:
•Do your lawn watering early in the
morning, between 4 and 6 a.m., when
water demand is low.
•Water your lawn when it needs it, rather
than on a set schedule. One sign that a
lawn needs water is when it lacks enough
moisture to spring back after you walk on it.
•Adjust lawn watering to the weather.
Following heavy rain, skip your regular
watering day until the grass needs it again.
•Check sprinkler heads periodically to make
sure they haven’t shifted direction to spray
water on the side of a building, parking
lot, road or sidewalk instead of the lawn.
According to Goergen, studies show that
lawns need one inch of water per week,
which can be achieved with sprinkling 10
to 15 minutes every-other day.
Further water restrictions might be put into
place if the weather becomes exceptionally
dry for an extended period of time.
For more information, contact Goergen at
952-826-0312 or dgoergen@EdinaMN.gov.
12
Elliot Avenue in Richfield. The EAB can fly up to
15 miles,” Overholt said. “When the Emerald Ash
Borers emerge, they typically just go to the next
tree for their food source. They are pretty lazy.”
It’s against the law to move the following items
out of EAB-quarantined counties:
• Firewood from hardwood trees
• Entire ash trees
• Ash limbs and branches
• Ash logs or untreated ash lumber with
bark attached
• Uncomposted ash chips and uncomposted ash
bark chips greater than 1 inch in two dimensions
A major culprit in spreading EAB and other insect
pests is firewood. Larvae and pupae can hide
beneath the bark and then escape as adult
beetles after being transported many miles.
Many of the places where EAB has been found
are parks and campgrounds.
That means the most important thing you can do
to protect Minnesota from the threat of EAB
is to avoid moving firewood from one place to
another. Don’t carry wood from your home to a
cabin or campsite.
Recognizing the signs of an EAB-infested tree is
important. If you see heavy woodpecker activity
on a tree, dying branches in the top canopy,
sprouts around the tree base, vertical cracks
in the bark, S-shaped tunnels under the bark,
and 1/8-inch D-shaped exit holes in the bark,
you should contact the Minnesota Department
of Agriculture. If you suspect EAB, contact the
“Arrest the Pest” Hotline at 651-201-6684
or 888-545-6684.
For more information on the City’s forestry
activities, contact Overholt at 952-826-0308
or LOverholt@EdinaMN.gov.
E merald Ash Borer Detected in Hennepin County
By Dawn Wills
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native invasive
insect that destroys Ash trees. EAB has not yet
been detected in Edina, but the City is planning
for it.
Where there are rows of Ash trees in boulevards or
other places, the City is removing every-other Ash
and planting a diverse species of tree in its place.
According to the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture, a quarantine has been placed on
Hennepin, Ramsey, Houston and Winona counties
to help slow the spread of EAB to other areas.
“The closest EAB detection is about three miles
away, at a private residence on the 7600 block of