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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicWorksPipelineWaterReportLate2021Iskaan-garee koodhkan oo ku fiiri soomaali Escanee este código para ver en español Proper Cleanup Prevents Polluting Creeks and Lakes It might be tempting to ignore your tree leaves that fall into the street or sweep some excess grass clippings into the gutter. And that piece of plastic that escaped someone’s trash can, is that your problem? These items, along with discarded cigarette butts, kitty litter that absorbed spilled oil and other items that weren’t properly put in the garbage, are everyone’s problem. They end up either becoming a sludgy mess at the storm grate or sliding into the storm sewer system. Stormwater isn’t treated, so what goes through that grate on your street flows straight into creeks, lakes and ponds. Once there, it harms plants, fish and wildlife that depend on clean water. “The only things allowed in the storm sewer are rain and snow,” said Water Resources Coordinator Jessica Wilson. The only exceptions are clean water from irrigation systems, hydrant flushing, construction dewatering and sump pumps and fire hose runoff in an emergency. So pick up that trash, even if it isn’t yours. Clean up your yard debris. Don’t allow any construction project waste like drywall mix or leftovers like paint thinner from home improvement projects to be dumped into the gutter or storm drain. If you see a problem, contact Wilson at 952-826-0445 or jwilson@EdinaMN.gov. – Compiled by Debbie Townsend LATE 2021 PipelinePUBLIC WORKS Your Drinking Water Is Certified Safe Monitoring done on Edina’s and Minneapolis’ drinking water last year shows that it is safe. 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 Edina water surpasses regulatory standards on all counts. Morningside Neighborhood residents who receive their water from the City of Minneapolis will find information detailing the quality of Minneapolis’ water in the report, too. Read the detailed report at: EdinaMN.gov/WaterReport2020 2 Pick Up Pet Waste So You Don’t Swim In It You wouldn’t dump dog poop into your child’s wading pool. But if you don’t pick up your dog’s droppings in parks, along trails or just out in the open, it likely will get washed or absorbed into waterways. “You’re swimming and playing in that water,” said Water Resources Coordinator Jessica Wilson. “You don’t want that in there.” “Toxic algae blooms that plague our ponds and lakes in summer are caused by excess nutrients in the water. While there are many contributors, one of the leading culprits is believed to be nutrients in dog waste,” Wilson said. Picking up dog poop means not just bagging it. Dispose of the bag in the trash. Tossing the bag into the water, or leaving it tucked out of sight, is as bad if not worse, than never picking it up. Proper dog waste disposal is also the law in Edina. For animal law questions, contact Animal Control Officer Tim Hunter at 952-826-0494 or thunter@EdinaMN.gov. – Compiled by Debbie Townsend 2 33 By Dan Reisig When a product seems too good to be true, it usually is. Such is the case with flushable wipes, which can improve your bathroom experience but create numerous problems once they exit the toilet bowl. “The ‘flushable wipe’ is not engineered to break down in water,” said Public Works Coordinator Dave Goergen. “It’s a strong, fibrous material that doesn’t dissipate in water. So, what happens is, they start to pile up and clog, creating blockages in the sewer system pipes that lead to blockages in people’s basements.” The product is unlike toilet paper, which is specifically engineered to break down in water and pass safely through household and municipal plumbing. “There are lawsuits in federal court to get the labeling changed,” Goergen said. “That’s been denied because technically they are flushable, but it’s very misleading. Some say ‘biodegradable,’ some say ‘safe for septic,’ but in reality they’re our number-one cause for sewer blockages and pump clogs.” If the wipes happen to make it through the building’s pipes and enter the City sewers, they can quickly accumulate and cause blockages. While one wipe alone may not seem to be troublesome, their negative effects can quickly multiply when considering an entire block or neighborhood’s worth of waste. Older or deteriorated pipes can snag the wipes, which in turn leads to issues. Even if the City sewers do manage to pass the wipes, there still is potential for costly trouble at the City’s 21 lift stations. These facilities “lift” the sewage at low areas throughout the city using a large tank and pump system. “If they go downstream to lift stations, they get bound up inside the pumps and plug the pumps, which can lead to massive backups,” explained Goergen. Those backups can push sewage back into homes. “Sewer backups are gross; they’re a public safety issue, and they can cause a lot of monetary damage,” Goergen said. “Many homes in Edina have finished lower levels, and now you’re not talking about a little backup in a concrete laundry room, but affecting carpeting, drywall, flooring, furniture – those sorts of things. It can quickly escalate into a very expensive issue.” At every step of the process, each potential issue creates costly headaches for homeowners as well as the City, which maintains 180 miles of sanitary sewer main in total. Repairs for major blockages can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. So next time nature calls, take care to make the right choice for your home’s plumbing, as well as the City’s sewer infrastructure. “The flushable wipes should go in the garbage,” said Goergen. “The sewer pipes are designed for three things: the collection of liquid and solid human waste and toilet paper. Anything other than those items that goes down are potential problems and causes for backups and clogs.” If you think you’re experiencing a clogged line or sewer backup during business hours, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, call the Public Works Utilities Division at 952-826-0375. If it’s after hours, call the Police Department’s non-emergency line, 952-826-1610. For more information about the City’s sewer services, contact Goergen at 952-826-0312 or dgoergen@EdinaMN.gov. ‘Flushable Wipes’ Are Anything But 4 By Dan Reisig In tree-lined residential neighborhoods and bustling commercial districts, new transportation improvements are coming to Edina this year. “We’re planning a mix of projects this year that are coordinated with street reconstruction projects, projects that are meant to support transit services that currently serve Edina or will in the future,” explained Transportation Planner Andrew Scipioni. Eight different projects have been planned for in 2021: Sidewalks • Hansen Road (Vernon Avenue to West 60th Street) • West 56th Street (Hansen Road to Normandale Road) • Beard Avenue (West 54th Street to Minnehaha Creek) • France Avenue (West 55th Street to West 57th Street; West 58th Street to West 60th Street) Shared-Use Paths & Other Projects • Eden Avenue (Sherwood Road to Arcadia Avenue) • McCauley Trail (Valley View Road to Indian Hills Road) • Highlands Park (Doncaster Way; Ayrshire Boulevard) • West 54th Street bike boulevard (France Avenue to Zenith Avenue) • France Avenue pedestrian improvements at West 69th Street The projects were selected to balance the primary needs and goals of the City – providing connections to commercial and industrial areas, improving access to parks and recreation as well as transit services, and improving the walkability and quality of life in residential areas. As with nearly every other aspect of life, the COVID-19 pandemic brought changes in use patterns among Edinans. Scipioni believes that added demand for paths and sidewalks came as residents sought to escape their homes and get some fresh air and exercise. Eight New Sidewalks and Shared- Use Paths Planned for 2021 4 5 “There seems to have been an increase in the number of people who are walking and biking around town ever since the pandemic began,” he said. “We’ve also gotten more requests for other sidewalks than we have in previous years. Some of those sidewalks are in our current plan, and some are not.” Funding for these improvements primarily comes from the City’s Pedestrian & Cyclist Safety (PACS) Fund, a franchise fee of $1.45 per month for Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy residential customers. Commercial customers within the City pay a higher franchise fee. Long-term planning is needed to allocate the money for each year’s projects. “The PACS Fund has a pretty stable annual revenue of about $1.2 million,” Scipioni explained. “It’s grown slightly since it was initially conceived. But every year, as part of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process, I put together a five-year plan, including facilities and sidewalks that I’m proposing to be built using that funding. If there’s money left over at the end of the year, then we can potentially tackle additional projects. If we’re over budget one year, then we may just have to push projects back a year or two.” In the case of 2020, about $1.68 million was spent, including funds rolled over from 2019, a 53 percent increase over the prior year. About 2.6 miles of new sidewalks and bike paths were constructed using those dollars. Both figures were the second-highest totals since the PACS Fund was initiated. Residents and businesses are encouraged to share their input and suggestions for new transportation improvement projects. “This past year was one of the busiest years for the PACS Fund. I think that’s reflective of the growing interest among residents in the city and wanting to have more facilities to bike and walk. Two of the projects that we built last year – sidewalks on France Avenue between West 58th and West 57th streets and Valley View Road from Valley Lane to Creek Valley Road – were specifically petitioned by residents. And that was why we constructed them.” Scipioni encourages Edinans to visit the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan on the City’s website to see what plans are in place for their neighborhood. “Based on that, they can contact me to see if construction of that facility is in the five-year plan,” he said. “There’s also a process where residents can petition for improvements like these, and then staff will evaluate them to determine whether or not it’s feasible and when we can construct them.” Ultimately, the City’s planning for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is driven by the residents themselves. “The plan is meant to be a living document that changes as the wants and needs of the community change,” Scipioni added. For more information about the City’s pedestrian and bicycle plans, visit EdinaMN.gov/BikeorWalk. Contact Scipioni at AScipioni@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0440. Scipioni encourages Edinans to visit the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan on the City’s website to see what plans are in place for their neighborhood. EdinaMN.gov/BikeorWalk 66 New Faces of Public Works: Meet Orayne McEachron and Michael Wegner By Kaitlin Gault The Public Works Department has new faces in the Utilities and Streets divisions. Orayne McEachron joins the Utilities Division as a Utility Service Worker. The division is small but mighty with just 13 employees and one supervisor. The group is responsible for the City’s drinking water, sanitary sewer collection and stormwater management network. They also assist with seasonal duties like snow removal. McEachron, who was hired in March 2020, is responsible for repairing and replacing water and sewer pipes, manholes and catch basins. He also works to repair things like gate valves, fire hydrants and water main breaks. Prior to joining the City staff, McEachron worked on underground utility installations for Dakota Underground in Fargo, North Dakota, for six years. He developed and diversified his craft while there. McEachron is enjoying his new position and the team he works with. “I like the diversity in our everyday tasks,” he said. “There’s a little bit of everything incorporated into the day-to-day work, so that keeps it fun, and everyone on my team does a good job of working together to achieve the best and most efficient outcome. Each member brings their own individual strengths to the job, which makes us a really good team.” The Streets Division welcomed Mike Wegner to its team of 12 full-time employees in October. Among other things, the Streets Division is responsible for asphalt projects, sweeping, plowing and crack sealing. Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson said Wegner is highly involved with the many responsibilities of the division. Among Wegner’s job duties are pothole patching, paving and sidewalk snow removal. Nearly all aspects of Edina’s streets are taken care of by Wegner depending on the day. “Michael is involved with all of the many tasks we juggle,” said Anderson. “He has been worked into the system and has started learning from Day 1.” Wegner felt he was a good fit for the position and looks forward to working with a great team in a top-notch community. “I know Edina is the elite of all cities in Minnesota and thought it would be pretty awesome to land a job in that community,” he said. “I most look forward to working with great people.” To learn more about the Utilities or Streets divisions, visit EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks. Orayne McEachron (left) and Mike Wegner (right) joined the City’s Public Works Department in 2020. (Photos by Dan Reisig) 7 Sometimes my water smells like bleach. Why? Is that harmful? What can I do to rid the water of that smell? The City uses recommended amounts of total chlorine residual to remove microorganisms from the water. Edina maintains its chlorine level between 1.5 and 2.5 parts per million. The Utilities Division tests the water every day to make sure the levels are within national 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. I’m having problems with sewage backing up into my basement. What do I do? Call the City of Edina first – any time, day or night. The number for the Utilities Division is 952-826-0375. Staff is available 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, weekends and holidays, call the Police Department’s non-emergency number, 952-826-1610. If the problem is not in the City main, you will be given information about what steps to take next. Calling the City first can save you time and money, as residents are not charged for this service! What are some simple ideas for conserving water? Indoors, check for leaks. The smallest leak can use water very quickly. Don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth, shave or scrub dishes. Purchase low-flow toilets and shower heads. Try to limit showers to 5 to 10 minutes. Wash only full loads when you do laundry or use your dishwasher. Outdoors, water your lawn only when it is absolutely necessary, and follow the City’s odd/even watering schedules. Try to water during cooler times of the day. Midday watering just evaporates in the heat. Invest in a smart sprinkler controller that automatically adjusts to weather conditions. Sweep away driveway dirt rather than spraying it away. Use shut-off nozzles on hoses. Water by hand areas that need extra water (plants, new trees). Mulch plants and trees and leave grass clippings after mowing to keep in soil moisture. Wash cars at a car wash that recycles water or use a bucket and hose the car off only as needed. Cover pools and spas when not in use. – Compiled by Susan Waack Frequently Asked Questions Water by hand areas that need extra water, and follow the City’s odd/even watering schedules. View the sprinkling policy at bit.ly/edinawateringrestrictions. 7 8 By Debbie Townsend Two major street reconstruction projects are underway that will give the neighborhoods fresh streets along with improvements to underground utilities, new curbs and gutters and a few new sidewalk connections. One project is in the Melody Lake, Birchwood and Grandview areas. The other is in the Creek Knoll neighborhood. Most of the affected streets were built in the 1940s to 1980s and the pavement is reaching the end of its useful life. In addition, the water and sewer pipes under some road sections need replacing or upgrades. Some areas also have underlying poor soils that contribute to road deterioration, so those will be improved for better stability and longer road life. “At the point of reconstruction, it’s more cost effective than seal coat, mill and overlay or other strategies to extend road life,” said Assistant City Engineer Aaron Ditzler. Come winter, the smooth road surface and updated infrastructure will improve the neighborhoods. The process to get there, however, can make for a rough summer and early fall. Project Engineer Charlie Gerk acknowledges residents will have to deal with dirt, noise, vibration, construction equipment or materials on roads and rights of way. Street and driveway access will be limited. While crews try to minimize the need for major shutdowns, residents can expect being asked to limit water use or even be prepared for a shutoff for a few hours. Crews will put notices on front doors when there are major interruptions. “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be checking your front door during construction on a daily basis for time-sensitive information,” Ditzler said. Melody Lake residents were facing two summers of road reconstruction but petitioned the City to cram all the work into one year. “In order to get that much done, we’re going to have more streets under construction at the same time,” said Engineering Director Chad Millner. He appreciates the residents’ understanding and patience as they endure a more extensive project. Melody Lake Park will get an improvement as part of the project, Millner noted. Natural plant restoration will be done on the west side of Melody Lake, replacing grass so it requires less maintenance and is better for the environment. Improvements such as landscaping, walkways, steps, irrigation, driveway aprons or pet fences affected by construction will be restored. Some work, such as landscaping, might be done in spring 2022 due to growing conditions. “All of these items will be reinstalled, repaired or replaced as part of the reconstruction project,” Gerk said. In addition to checking their front doors daily, it’s recommended residents check the Street Projects section of BetterTogetherEdina.org for updates, informational videos and project documents. A map of planned street reconstructions in coming years is also on BetterTogetherEdina.org. Sections of Blake Road and some streets in the Morningside Neighborhood are scheduled for 2022. Street Reconstruction Projects in Full Swing 9 Street Reconstruction Projects in Full Swing Melody Lake A & B, Birchcrest C and Grandview A Project contact: Graduate Engineer Evan Acosta, 952-826-0448 or EAcosta@EdinaMN.gov Estimated affected properties: 309 Miles of road: 3.88 Work includes:• Reconstruction of asphalt pavement and replacement of concrete pavement with asphalt • Installation or replacement of concrete curbs and gutters • Watermain replacement • Improvement to sewer and stormwater systems • New sidewalk on west side of Hansen Road between West 56th and 60th streets and on West 56th between Hansen and Normandale roads Creek Knoll A & B Project contact: Engineering Technician Edinah Machani, 952-826-0444 or EMachani@EdinaMN.gov Estimated affected properties: 113 Miles of road: 1.3 Work includes:• Complete pavement reconstruction • New or replacement curb and gutter • Improvements to the water, sewer and stormwater systems • New sidewalk along Beard Avenue from West 54th Street to Minnehaha Creek 5205 5209521352175221 5300 5132-34 52005025 5909 5041 5212 5316 5721 5037 6005 5501 5024 5709 501352095204520852135100 5525 5020 5805 5511 5018 5032 5717 5917 5829 5224 5433 5515 5028 5813 5908 5805 5807 5916 5912 5912 5409-11 5909 5817 59045904 5908 5917 5913 5816 5024 5304 5605 5416 5808 5817 5821 5825 5724 5309 6001 5213 5813 5913 5036 6001 5412 5417 5029 5228 5401 5809 5920 5405 5216 5220 5213 5713 5217 24 5208 5725 5812 542054255609 5100 5901 5232 5728 5921 5912 5625 5900 5004 5232 5604 5233 5700-04 5008 5905 5612 5234 5110 5904 5801 5021 5325 5600 5017 5216 5908 5624 5053 5209 5908 5012 5120 5516 5828 5408 5317 5509 5904 5812 5400 5048 5808 5608 5900 5236 5300 5114 5328 53045805 5409 5208 5905 53125101 5120 5916 5821 5621 5700 5325 5809 5733 5033 5909 5120 5813 5121 5824 5612 5905 5301 5616 5124 5409 5805 5113 5812 5201 5817 5701 5804 5200 5710-14 5816 5916 5620 5105 5520 5912 5300 5012 5705 5716 5621 5729 5800 51205728 5117 5101 50405200 58125809 5204 5800 5813 52095208 5729 5012 5805 53015817 5804 5321 5120 5808 520552175716 52135804 5517 52135036 5313530552095029 5808 5809 5801 5816 5616 5120-22 5620 5913 5108 5812 5605 5637 5800 5112 5616 5321 51155109 5116 5613 5609 5833 50055108 5017 5617 5901 5044 5825 5044 5201 5801 5829 5215 5603 5800 5821 5724 5117 5609 53175004 5621 5124-26 5201 5412 53095821 5620 5212 502054105624 54165701 5801 5016 5224 5605 5600 5517 5615 5105 5121 5320 5105 5025 5212 5820 5109 5724 5708 5617 5008 5109 5324 5716 5521 5708 6000 5040 5629 5004 5712 520150325205 5612 5216 5201 5208 5028 5204 5704 5020 5608 5720 5804 5033 5017 5201 5032 5209 5704 5020 5400 5617 5700 5401 5621 5025 5116 5720 5009 5305 5036 5100 57095313 5725 5712 5713 5717 5633 5705 5029 53096001 5717 5016 5724 5601 5705 5900 5017 5816 5005 5405 5045 5713 5721 5701 5124 5725 5301 5009522150256001 5100 5713 5108510353125104 5005 5321 5200 5028 5116 5313 5112 5721 5120 5608 5024 5317 5113 5100 5712 5205 5101 5713 5112 5013 5101 510953085121 5104 5049 5105 5625 51095117 5113 5208 5604 5105 5028 5113 6001 5701 5204 5709 6000 5117 5021 5705 5021 5720 5624 5820 512153205128-30 5415 531656015712 5717 5620 5600 53245813 5704 53045700 51125220 51045033 5708 51045205 6000 5025 5419 6005 5041 50295037 50115605 6005 50175021 5005 50365105510851165725 552451095048 50405013 5716 6004 50085721 5229 6000 51175009 5041 5 100 5900 5809 5716 5724 501250045616 60055225 50095720 5113502150086004 50095056 50365617 50045404 50125041500550175033503250375108500850375520 5524 5109502550205600 5212 5029511250455528 51055608 50245029503350285532 5816 5009 50405037 501650125612 5604 50135033 5525501651085036504951045041501650285024503250205116 5044505350085125 PROJECT LIMITS YanceyPark VER N O N AV E WINDSOR AVE W 56TH ST W 57TH ST GROVE STHANSEN RDHANSEN RDDALE AVEBERNARD PLCODE AVEMELODY LAKE DRMELODY LNCODE AVEW 58TH ST EAST VIEW DRHANSEN RDBERNARD PLCODE AVETINGDALE AVEJOSEPHINE AVEW 59TH ST BENTON AVE W 60TH ST TingdalePark /Engineering DeptJune 2020 2021 Project AreaMelody Lake A & B, Grandview A and Birchcrest CNeighborhood Roadway ReconstructionCITYOFEDINAMINNESOTAINCORPORATED1888 , e 33105421 5330 5411 541535095410 5411 361754245401 3225 5412370133163505 33003320370536055413 5504-08 5522 54195505 36133304370936045440 370435125512 371236083604332455013537 360961 5354 5400 3616382054173511330154215505350954233808330833093601332837045508 55043601362138015508-12 3517333235015500-04 3613-17371336005516 5407 5409 5516-20 3516351236165401 3809 5436 3301 5432 5405 5409 37085408 38125403 550935053529 5402 3709351637003816371354053709 3612360535045406 35003525370535083701350435005404 37213600371737013700351738005401 5528 354135313501352533155400 3521333333213329331733253817 5354 35133509380136093725362038093729380536245501 5425 5401 PROJECT LIMITS W 54TH ST DREW AVEFULLER ST W 55TH ST ABBOTT PLBEARD AVEEWING CIRFRANCE AVEBEARD CTCity of Minneapolis City of Edina / Engineering DeptSeptember 2018 2021 Project AreaCreek Knoll A and B Neighborhood Roadway ReconstructionCITYOFEDINAMIN N ESOTAINCORPORATED 1888 ,e Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction 10 By Kaitlin Gault If you notice Edina’s Public Works Department in your neighborhood this summer, there is a good chance it is because crews are working on annual mill- and-overlay projects. Public Works started projects in June and will wrap up before the first snow. After slightly reducing the program to five lane miles in 2020 to save money during the COVID-19 pandemic, the department will return to completing seven lane miles of roadway this year – the approximate mileage completed in years preceding 2020. Public Works Director Brian Olson emphasizes the importance of the mill- and-overlay program. “Edina has an aging infrastructure since most of our streets were constructed between 1955 and 1970,” he said. “The pavement management program has been showing positive results by raising our Pavement Condition Index, a metric used to determine a street’s estimated lifespan, from 51 (out of 100) in 2012 to over 72 in 2020. The mill-and-overlay program along with the street reconstruction program is instrumental in that progress.” The 2021 mill-and-overlay projects are: • West 60th Street from France Avenue to Xerxes Avenue• Dewey Hill Road from Gleason Road to Cahill Road• West 76th Street from France to York Avenue• Normandale Park neighborhood between the Canadian Pacific Railway and Minnesota Highway 100• Normandale Road (east and west) from West 66th Street to West 70th Street, Payton Court and West 69th Street• Blake Road from Vernon Avenue to Scriver Road• Waterman Avenue east of Blake Road Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson manages the program each year. “We start by working with the existing underground utilities, both public and private, to ensure that they are upgraded. Then, we look at the curbing. If there are any settled areas or ‘tripping hazards,’ we replace them,” he said. “The most disruption that a resident will see is our milling and paving activity. We will come through and mill the roadway down a couple of inches and then do cleanup and patchwork on that roadway as needed. Then, we will come in and pave. The paving process typically takes about two weeks.” When the process is completed, the road surface will be smooth and preserved for several years. Proactive maintenance allows the City to extend the interval between major reconstructions from 30 years up to 60 years. A letter is mailed to affected areas prior to the work starting. By sending a reminder, Public Works aims to lessen the inconvenience to nearby neighbors and remind them the work is not assessed to the residents, but instead completed from the City’s Street Maintenance Fund. For more information about the mill- and-overlay projects, contact Anderson at 952-826-0313. PipelinePUBLIC WORKS Crews Hit the Streets for Mill-and-Overlay Program City of Edina 4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424 EdinaMN.gov ***ECRWSS***POSTAL PATRONCAR-RT-WS PRESORT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDTWIN CITIES MNPermit No. 3932 1 Making Safe Drinking Water Your drinking water comes from a groundwater source: 17 wells ranging from 381 to 1080 feet deep that draw water from the Prairie Du Chien-Jordan, Mt. Simon and Jordan aquifers. Edina works hard to provide you with safe and reliable drinking water that meets federal and state water quality requirements. The purpose of this report is to provide you with information on your drinking water and how to protect our precious water resources. Contact Public Works Coordinator Dave Goergen at 952-826-0312 or dgoergen@ EdinaMN.gov if you have questions about Edina’s drinking water. You can also ask for information about how you can take part in decisions that may affect water quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets safe drinking water standards. These standards limit the amounts of specific contaminants allowed in drinking water. This ensures that tap water is safe to drink for most people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the amount of certain contaminants in bottled water. Bottled water must provide the same public health protection as public tap water. 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. Edina Monitoring Results This report contains monitoring results from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020. We work with the Minnesota Department of Health to test drinking water for more than 100 contaminants. It is not unusual to detect contaminants in small amounts. No water supply is ever completely free of contaminants. Drinking water standards protect Minnesotans from substances that may be harmful to their health. Learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Health’s webpage on monitoring and testing at www.health.state. mn.us/communities/environment/water/ factsheet/sampling. How to Read the Water Quality Data Tables The tables on the following pages show the contaminants we found last year or the most recent time we sampled for that contaminant. They also show the levels of those contaminants and the Environmental Protection Agency’s limits. Substances that we tested for but did not find are not included in the tables. We sample for some contaminants less than once a year because their levels in water are not expected to change from year to year. If we found any of these contaminants the last time we sampled for them, we included them in the tables below with the detection date. We may have done additional monitoring for contaminants that are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act. To request a copy of these results, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4700 or 1-800-818- 9318 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some contaminants are monitored regularly throughout the year and rolling (or moving) annual averages are used to manage compliance. Because of this averaging, there are times where the Range of Detected Test Results for the calendar year is lower than the Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result, because it occurred in the previous calendar year. Definitions AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. EPA: Environmental Protection Agency 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): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. MRDLG (Maximum residual disinfectant level goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. N/A (Not applicable): Does not apply pCi/l (picocuries per liter): A measure of radioactivity 2020 City of Edina Drinking Water Report 1 Issued July 2021 2 ppb (parts per billion): One part per billion in water is like one drop in one billion drops of water, or about one drop in a swimming pool. ppb is the same as micrograms per liter (μg/l). ppm (parts per million): One part per million is like one drop in one million drops of water, or about one cup in a swimming pool. ppm is the same as milligrams per liter (mg/l). PWSID: Public water system identification Variances and Exemptions: State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions. LEAD AND COPPER – Tested at customer taps Contaminant EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)EPA’s Action Level 90% of Results Were Less Than Number of Homes with High Levels Violation Typical Sources Lead 0 ppb 90% of homes less than 15 ppb 2.1 ppb 0 out of 30 NO Corrosion of household plumbing Copper 0 ppm 90% of homes less than 1.3 ppm 1.05 ppm 1 out of 30 NO Corrosion of household plumbing Monitoring Results - Regulated Substances INORGANIC & ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water Contaminant (Date, if sampled in previous year) EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)EPA’s Limit (MCL) Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources Barium (Aug. 5, 2019)2 ppm 2 ppm 0.2 ppm N/A NO Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposit Picloram (2018)500 ppb 500 ppb 0.11 ppb N/A NO Herbicide runoff Benzene 0 ppb 5 ppb 0.1 ppb N/A NO Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills Trichloroethylene (TCE)0 ppb 5 ppb 0.18 ppb 0.00 - 0.10 ppb NO Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories trans-1,2-Dichloroethene (trans-1,2-dichloroethylene) 100 ppb 100 ppb 0.2 ppb 0.00 - 0.12 ppb NO Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories cis-1,2-Dichloroethene (cis-1,2-dichloroethylene) 70 ppb 70 ppb 4.2 ppb 0.00 - 3.50 ppb NO Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories Vinyl chloride 0 ppb 2 ppb 0.35 ppb 0.00 - 0.21 ppb NO Leaching from PVC piping; discharge from plastics factories Toluene 1 ppm 1 ppm 0.0001 ppm 0.0000 - 0.0002 ppm NO Discharge from petroleum factories Gross Alpha 0 pCi/l 15.4 pCi/l 5.8 pCi/l 0.0 - 5.8 pCi/l NO Erosion of natural deposits Combined Radium 0 pCi/l 5.4 pCi/l 4.4 pCi/l 1.5 - 4.4 pCi/l NO Erosion of natural deposits 2 3 OTHER SUBSTANCES – Tested in drinking water Substance EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)EPA’s Limit (MCL) Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources Fluoride 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 0.64 ppm 0.56 - 0.64 ppm NO Erosion of natural deposits; water additive to promote strong teeth CONTAMINANTS RELATED TO DISINFECTION – Tested in drinking water Substance EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG or MRDLG)EPA’s Limit (MCL or MRDL) Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) N/A 80 ppb 3 ppb 2.90 - 3.00 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA)N/A 60 ppb 2 ppb 0.00 - 2.00 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Total Chlorine 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 1.37 ppm 1.23 - 1.46 ppm NO Water additive used to control microbes Total HAA refers to HAA5 3 4 Monitoring Results – Unregulated Substances In addition to testing drinking water for contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we sometimes also monitor for contaminants that are not regulated. Unregulated contaminants do not have legal limits for drinking water. Detection alone of a regulated or unregulated contaminant should not cause concern. The meaning of a detection should be determined considering current health effects information. We are often still learning about the health effects, so this information can change over time. The following table shows the unregulated contaminants we detected last year, as well as human-health based guidance values for comparison, where available. The comparison values are based only on potential health impacts and do not consider our ability to measure contaminants at very low concentrations or the cost and technology of prevention and/or treatment. They may be set at levels that are costly, challenging or impossible for water systems to meet (for example, large-scale treatment technology may not exist for a given contaminant). A person drinking water with a contaminant at or below the comparison value would be at little or no risk for harmful health effects. If the level of a contaminant is above the comparison value, people of a certain age or with special health conditions like infants, children, elderly and people with impaired immunity may need to take extra precautions. Because these contaminants are unregulated, EPA and MDH require no particular action based on detection of an unregulated contaminant. We are notifying you of the unregulated contaminants we have detected as a public education opportunity. More information is available on MDH’s A-Z List of Contaminants in Water (www. health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/contaminants/ index.html) and Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (www. health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/com/ucmr4.html). Some People Are More Vulnerable to Contaminants in Drinking Water Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons 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. The developing fetus and therefore pregnant women may also be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water. These people or their caregivers should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 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. UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water Contaminant Comparison Value Highest Average Result or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Sodium*20 ppm 24.3 ppm 8.36 - 24.30 ppm Sulfate 500 ppm 49.5 ppm 13.00 - 49.50 ppm *Note that home water softening can increase the level of sodium in your water. 4 5 LEAD AND COPPER – Tested at customer taps Contaminant (Date, if sampled in previous year) EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)EPA’s Action Level 90% of Results Were Less Than Number of Homes with High Levels Violation Typical Sources Lead (Oct. 15, 2018)0 ppb 90% of homes less than 15 ppb 3.8 ppb 2 out of 50 NO Corrosion of household plumbing Copper (Oct. 15, 2018)0 ppm 90% of homes less than 1.3 ppm 0.06 ppm 0 out of 50 NO Corrosion of household plumbing INORGANIC & ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water Contaminant EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)EPA’s Limit (MCL)Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources Nitrate 10 ppm 10.4 ppm 0.9 ppm 0.32 - 0.90 ppm NO Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Monitoring Results – Regulated Substances Edina residents in the Morningside Neighborhood receive their water from the City of Minneapolis. Drinking water from the City of Minneapolis comes from surface water drawn from the Mississippi River. Minneapolis works hard to provide safe and reliable drinking water that meets federal and state water quality requirements. The purpose of this report is to provide you with information on Minneapolis drinking water and how to protect our precious water resources. Call 612-673-3000 if you have questions about Minneapolis’ drinking water. You can also ask for information about how you can take part in decisions that may affect water quality. Minneapolis Monitoring Results This report contains our monitoring results from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020. Minneapolis works with the Minnesota Department of Health to test drinking water for more than 100 contaminants. It is not unusual to detect contaminants in small amounts. No water supply is ever completely free of contaminants. Drinking water standards protect Minnesotans from substances that may be harmful to their health. Learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Health’s webpage, www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/factsheet/sampling. 2020 City of Minneapolis Drinking Water Report 5 Issued July 2021 6 CONTAMINANTS RELATED TO DISINFECTION – Tested in drinking water Substance EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG or MRDLG)EPA’s Limit (MCL or MRDL) Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) N/A 80 ppb 30 ppb 6.00 - 33.80 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA) N/A 60 ppb 30.7 ppb 1.20 - 30.90 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Chloramine 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 3.41 ppm 3.20 - 3.50 ppm NO Water additive used to control microbes OTHER SUBSTANCES – Tested in drinking water Substance EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)EPA’s Limit (MCL) Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources Fluoride 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 0.67 ppm 0.62 - 0.68 ppm NO Erosion of natural deposits; water additive to promote strong teeth 6 Total HAA refers to HAA5 TREATMENT INDICATOR – Tested during treatment Substance Removal Required Lowest Monthly Percent of Results in Compliance Highest Test Result Violation Typical Sources Turbidity Treatment Technique 100% in compliance 0.16 NTU Highest Single Measurement NO Soil runoff DISINFECTION BYPRODUCT INDICATOR – Tested in source water and in drinking water Substance Removal Required Range of Percent Removal Achieved Average of Percent Removal Achieved Violation Typical Sources Total Organic Carbon Variable 52 - 69 62 NO N/A The percentage of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal was measured each month. The system met all TOC removal requirements. 7 Monitoring Results – Unregulated Substances In addition to testing drinking water for contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Minneapolis sometimes also monitors for contaminants that are not regulated. Unregulated contaminants do not have legal limits for drinking water. Drinking Water Sources Minnesota’s primary drinking water sources are groundwater and surface water. Groundwater is the water found in aquifers beneath the surface of the land. Groundwater supplies 75 percent of Minnesota’s drinking water. Surface water is the water in lakes, rivers and streams above the surface of the land. Surface water supplies 25 percent of Minnesota’s drinking water. Contaminants can get in drinking water sources from the natural environment and from people’s daily activities. There are five main types of contaminants in drinking water sources. ▪ Microbial contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites. Sources include sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, pets and wildlife. ▪ Inorganic contaminants include salts and metals from natural sources (e.g. rock and soil), oil and gas production, mining and farming operations, urban stormwater runoff and wastewater discharges. ▪ Pesticides and herbicides are chemicals used to reduce or kill unwanted plants and pests. Sources include agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and commercial and residential properties. ▪ Organic chemical contaminants include synthetic and volatile organic compounds. Sources include industrial processes and petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems. ▪ Radioactive contaminants such as radium, thorium and uranium isotopes come from natural sources (e.g. radon gas from soils and rock), mining operations and oil and gas production. The Minnesota Department of Health provides information about your drinking water source(s) in a source water assessment, including: ▪ How Edina is protecting your drinking water source(s); ▪ Nearby threats to your drinking water sources; ▪ How easily water and pollution can move from the surface of the land into drinking water sources, based on natural geology and the way wells are constructed. Find your source water assessment at www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/swp/swa or call 651- 201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water Contaminant Comparison Value Highest Average Result or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Sodium*20 ppm 17.6 ppm N/A Sulfate 500 ppm 25.3 ppm N/A 7 *Note that home water softening can increase the level of sodium in your water. Learn More about Your Drinking Water 88 Lead in Drinking Water You may be in contact with lead through paint, water, dust, soil, food, hobbies or your job. Coming in contact with lead can cause serious health problems for everyone. There is no safe level of lead. Babies, children under 6 years and pregnant women are at the highest risk. Lead is rarely in a drinking water source, but it can get in your drinking water as it passes through lead service lines and your household plumbing system. Edina is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but it cannot control the plumbing materials used in private buildings. Read below to learn how you can protect yourself from lead in drinking water. 1. Let the water run for 30-60 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking if the water has not been turned on in over six hours. If you have a lead service line, you may need to let the water run longer. A service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the main water pipe under the street to your home. ▪ You can find out if you have a lead service line by contacting your public water system, or you can check by following the steps at https://apps.npr.org/find-lead-pipes- in-your-home/en/#intro. ▪ The only way to know if lead has been reduced by letting it run is to check with a test. If letting the water run does not reduce lead, consider other options to reduce your exposure. 2. Use cold water for drinking, making food and making baby formula. Hot water releases more lead from pipes than cold water. 3. Test your water. In most cases, letting the water run and using cold water for drinking and cooking should keep lead levels low in your drinking water. If you are still concerned about lead, arrange a laboratory to test your tap water. Testing your water is important if young children or pregnant women drink your tap water. ▪ Contact a Minnesota Department of Health-accredited laboratory to get a sample container and instructions on how to submit a sample: https:// eldo.web.health.state.mn.us/public/ accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam. The Minnesota Department of Health can help you understand your test results. 4. Treat your water if a test shows your water has high levels of lead after you let the water run. ▪ Read about water treatment units at https://www.health.state.mn.us/ communities/environment/water/ factsheet/poulead.html. Learn more ▪ Visit www.health.state.mn.us/ communities/environment/water/ contaminants/lead.html. ▪ Visit www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. ▪ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. ▪ To learn about how to reduce your contact with lead from sources other than your drinking water, visit www.health.state.mn.us/ communities/environment/lead/ sources.