HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicWorksPipeline_Late2023_WebNature Restoration Underway at Weber Park
By Debbie Townsend
(continued on Page 2)
The water storage ponds have been expanded, the pumping system installed and now comes the part neighbors have been waiting for – nature restoration at Weber Park and around the pond between Lynn and Kipling avenues.
The $12.5 million Morningside Flood
Infrastructure Project, designed to
drastically reduce flooding where it’s
most common in Edina, is nearing
completion. While the project’s
purpose is to reduce flood risk by
providing a place for rainwater to
go, it also includes new trails and
boardwalks and planting a diverse
park for people and wildlife to enjoy.
“The climate is changing, so the way we manage flooding is changing,” said Water
Resources Manager Jessica Wilson. She and Engineering Services Manager Ross
Bintner answered some common questions about the project.
Iskaan-garee koodhkan oo ku fiiri soomaali
Escanee este código para ver en español
Seeding and planting is being done
this summer in the bare areas along
trails, so Weber Park visitors are
asked to stay on the trails to avoid
damaging the nature restoration.
(Photo by Tom Swenson)
LATE 2023
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’s 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/WaterReports
Nature Restoration Underway at Weber Park (Continued from cover)
What’s happened in the last year?
Weber Pond and what’s formally called
the Lynn/Kipling Inundation Area were
expanded to hold five times more water
than before. Crews installed a pump
station at Weber Park that will tie into
National Weather Service data and be
able to automatically draw down pond
levels in advance of storms to provide
more room for floodwater storage. Some
pipes and a swale were added to safely
move water.
The work has been in tandem with street reconstruction projects in Morningside to limit disruptions and reduce overall costs.
What’s been happening this spring
and summer?
The project has entered Phase 3, the
nature restoration and final phase.
Trees: More than 1,200 of various species
will be planted before the end of fall.
Bare-root seedlings and young trees with
root balls are being planted now, followed
this fall with some larger trees that will
be spaded into the ground. Smaller trees
will be healthier in the long run and
eventually catch up to the large trees
in size, but the combination provides
immediate benefits.
Grasses, plants and shrubs: A variety of native and climate-adaptive species are being planted. The project includes 1,130 shrubs at Weber with more at Lynn/Kipling. Many plants and grasses will be started from seed, but more than 5,000 at Weber will be started with plugs.
Habitat improvements: The plants
and trees provide diverse habitat for
pollinators and wildlife and help stabilize
slopes. Fruit-bearing species being added
for wildlife include American Cranberry,
Dolgo Crabapple, Missouri Gooseberry,
Parker Pear and Zestar Apple. Wood
duck poles and turtle logs also are
being added to the pond area.
What features have been added for park users?
Two boardwalks across Weber Pond, expanded nature trails and benches off the paths to sit and observe will be added. More amenities were in original plans, but neighbors who participated in early planning overwhelmingly wanted to keep the park nature focused.
What will I see at Weber Park?
New nature trails have been created and
a short boardwalk will cross the north
end of Weber Pond while a longer one
will cross the center of it. The tennis
courts and other amenities will be open
this summer. The ball fields will be back
in action once the grass is established,
probably early fall. Visitors will see young
trees and plants and a lot of what looks
like bare ground or plants and grasses
just starting to emerge from seed.
Why can’t you plant sod, larger plants
and bigger trees?
While we can accelerate a few things,
like spading in some larger trees, this is
a nature park. Nature needs to nurture
and grow the plants. This is best for their
adaptability and survivability. Long term,
it will benefit the park.
“Be patient because nature restorations take a few years to establish,” Wilson said. “This is not like a residential garden where you can almost instantly see results.”
When will it look more established?
There’s a saying in nature restorations
that year one they sleep, year two they
creep, year three they leap.
In this first year, it might look patchy,
but these native plants are building root
systems underground that are not only
key to their survival but also improve
soil health and help rainwater soak
into the ground.
Year two, plants will begin to fill in above ground. You’ll recognize a few more species, and some will bloom.
Year three is when native vegetation
truly begins to take hold and fill in the
landscape. Many plants will reach their
mature sizes and more will bloom.
If you want examples, take in the scenery
when you play the Championship 18 at
Braemar Golf Course or walk the Braemar
Park trail around that area. Or visit Arden
Park. Both areas underwent nature
restorations, and both, at the beginning,
looked much like what Weber Park looks
like now.
2
What should I do if I see buckthorn
or weeds? Or plants that are dying?
Please do not remove any plants,
trees or even weeds. Do not try
to water them.
“There will be weeds, there will be patches, there will be dying plants,” Wilson said. “We expect some level of tree and plant mortality. That’s why we are planting so much.
“People will see buckthrorn sprouting
up; control takes multiple years. Please
leave it so that we can be strategic in
controlling it.”
Nature restoration experts Resource
Environmental Solutions (RES) must
monitor the site for three years and
meet habitat diversity and survivability
goals as part of their contract with the
City. They will remove and replace plants
as needed. The City will eventually take
over long-term management.
How is all this being watered?
“Only the athletic fields are irrigated. The native restoration will not be irrigated except possibly during initial establishment,” Wilson said. “That’s the beauty of native plants.”
As a bonus of the project, the ball
fields will be irrigated by shallow
groundwater collected as it makes
its way into Weber Pond.
What can I do to help?
• Tread lightly. Keep to paths.
• Keep dogs on leashes and on paths. Do not allow them to enter the open areas.
• Understand the plants are fragile during this establishment period. They can easily be trampled and destroyed by pets or people.
• Don’t pick the plants or flowers. Take a photo instead.
How will the ponds work in
heavy storms?
Prior to forecasted storms, the Weber
Pond water level will be lowered by
controlled releases into a storm pipe that
eventually empties into a pond adjacent
to Bde Maka Ska. Rain from the storm will
flow from the Morningside Neighborhood
into both the Lynn/Kipling basin and
Weber Pond. Pipes and swales move
water from Lynn/Kipling to Weber Pond.
How can I learn more?
Visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/morningside.
This is the second Public Works Pipeline article about the Morningside Flood Infrastructure Project. To read the previous article, which covered the flood prevention aspects in depth, visit EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorksPipeline and see the Late 2022 issue.
One of two new boardwalks, shown mid-construction in April, will allow people walking the nature trails to cross Weber Pond. Seeding and planting along the pond edge will occur throughout summer. (Photo by Tom Swenson)
3
By Renee Mottet
Just because it’s convenient doesn’t mean you should flush it! Save
your pipes from nasty clogs and keep these Do’s and Don’ts in mind:
The Do’s and Don’ts of Flushing
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 952-826-0376.
DON’Ts:
Baby Wipes,
Wet Wipes and
Flushable Wipes
(despite what the
name might say)
Leftover Food
Medication
Cat Litter
Diapers
Hygiene Products
(cotton pads,
makeup wipes,
pads or tampons)
Grease, Fats or Oils
Paper Towels
Tissues
DO’s:
Toilet Paper
4
By Brittany Bader
In the spring, Public Works crews fill
potholes every day that it’s not raining.
And if the season is particularly bad, like
this past one was, they can shovel more
than four tons of asphalt mix – over
8,000 pounds – in one day!
No one likes potholes. So as efficient
as Edina’s Public Works crews are at
patching them, anything that can
speed up the process of repairing
them is appreciated.
First, Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson encourages the public to report potholes through Edina 311. Edina 311 is a reporting tool available as a mobile app or on the City’s website to let staff know about non-emergency problems around town, including potholes.
“Anyone can use Edina 311 to report
non-emergency problems of any kind,
but especially potholes.
This helps us know where everything is
in the whole city. It gives us good insight
from our residents. The submissions from
the community turn into work orders
that we prioritize each day by severity
and location.”
Second, the City is scheduled to get a
second patch trailer in 2023, allowing
crews to cover more area at a time.
“It’s going to be double the manpower
and equipment to attack the potholes,”
said Anderson. “A second trailer means
that I can divide the city in half. I can
have one crew working on all the Edina
311 requests in one part of the city
and another crew working in another
area. Today, we have one crew driving
throughout the whole city.”
While potholes are an unfortunate part of life in Minnesota in the spring, their presence is relatively short-lived. Each year, Anderson says his goal is to have all potholes repaired by the end of May.
“We like to repair winter damage by
the end of May so residents can enjoy
the streets and their yards for the
summer. This includes potholes and
sod damage from plowing and any
repairs needed from the effects of
fixing water main breaks.”
It’s important to note that Edina Public
Works cannot make pothole repairs on
county or state roads within the city
(e.g., France Avenue South or Minnesota
Highway 62). Those are maintained by
Hennepin County and the Minnesota
Department of Transportation.
If a road is in good condition, a pothole
properly patched with hot mix asphalt
can last for years, explains Anderson.
Roads at the end of their lifespan,
however, will need to be recommended
for mill and overlay or reconstruction to
keep potholes at bay.
For more information about the Streets Division, visit EdinaMN.gov/Streets. For more information about Edina 311, visit EdinaMN.gov/Edina311.
All About Potholes: Reporting,
Patching and Keeping Them at Bay
5
1 Review Edina 311 Service Requests and Plan Routes
When planning a day of pothole repairs, Edina’s Streets Supervisor starts by reviewing Edina 311 service requests. Requests are prioritized by severity and location. For example, a large pothole on a busy thoroughfare would be prioritized above a small pothole on a residential street. Once an initial plan is made, a crew of up to 10 people is dispatched.
2 Travel to Pick Up Daily Asphalt
Before repair work can begin, some of the crew must first travel to
one of the metro area’s asphalt plants to load the patch trailer with
a day’s supply of hot mix asphalt. Hot mix is the same material
as the blacktop you drive on. When obtained from the plant,
the mix is 300-500 degrees.
Hot mix is available from asphalt plants once the weather warms up in
the spring. It only lasts one day in the patch trailer before it cools down
and sets, so it’s necessary to clean out and refresh the supply daily.
3 Clean and Prepare Potholes at Starting Location
While part of the crew is picking up the hot mix, others go to the location of
the first service request to prep the potholes. This includes using a blower
to clean out debris. Then, weather permitting, a tack coat is added. Tack is a
liquid sprayed down to create a moisture barrier between the layers of hot
mix and helps the repair adhere to the roadway.
The pothole-repair process differs depending on the time of year, temperature and available
material. Come along for a step-by-step walkthrough of potholes being patched in late April 2023.Let’s Fill Potholes!
6
4 Fill the Potholes
When the trailer arrives, the chute is loaded with the mix, and asphalt is shoveled and raked into the potholes using a lute rake.
5 Compact the Asphalt
Depending on how many potholes are in a location, crews will either
compact the asphalt using a roller or tamper. When an area has
many potholes, a roller is used. On the other hand, if a site has a
limited number of potholes, a tamper — a push machine similar in
size to a lawn mower — is used instead.
The repaired surface will usually cool and harden enough to be
driven on within an hour. Smaller ones may only take a few minutes.
6 Close Service Request and Start Next One
All done! Once work is complete at a location, the service request is
closed and the crew travels to the next site. When an Edina 311 service
request is closed, the submitter receives an automated email letting
them know the work is complete.
As long as it’s not raining, staff will work daily on repairing potholes until
all have been fixed, working toward wrapping up by the end of May.7
A refresh is coming to some Edina streets
this summer.
In a mill-and-overlay project, the top
few inches of the roadway are ground
down before a new layer of asphalt is
laid down. This process helps smooth
the surface and extend the pavement’s
lifetime before a reconstruction is
needed. Mill-and-overlay projects are
an important component of the City’s
Pavement Management Program.
When will mill-and-overlay work begin
on my street?
Work will begin in June. Due to the
unpredictable rainy weather, there
are no specific dates. Residents will
receive a letter in the mail with the
notification of construction to begin,
and “No Parking” signs will be added
to both sides of the streets.
What if I have an event or garage sale planned?
The Public Works Department tries
to plan construction around parties
and events. Contact the Public Works
Department if you are planning one on
a street scheduled for mill and overlay.
How long will construction last? And will my street be closed?
A mill-and-overlay project takes a few
days to complete. Roads are very rarely
closed, though they may be marked for
thru traffic only. Residents will be able to
access their driveways at all times except
for an hour after fresh asphalt has been
put down to avoid any kind of marks in
the new pavement.
Why mill and overlay instead of street reconstruction?
A mill and overlay is a way to extend the life of the pavement before a more expensive full reconstruction is needed. A reconstruction includes replacement of curb, gutter, fire hydrants, underground utilities and more.
How are the mill-and-overlay projects
paid for?
These projects are paid by the City’s
Street Maintenance Fund. There are no
special assessments for mill-and-overlay
projects.
For more information about the mill-and-overlay projects, contact Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson at 952-826-0313.
– Compiled by Lauren Siebenaler
A Dozen Streets to be Smoothed
Over with Mill and Overlay
8
Streets to be worked on:
• Valley View Road bridge over U.S. Highway 169
• Vernon Avenue South from Lincoln Drive to Gleason Road
• McCauley Trail West from Timber Trail to Gleason Road
• Green Farms Road
• Larada Lane
• Evanswood Lane
• West 78th Street from Gleason Road to Cahill Road
• West 61st Street from Olinger Boulevard, Arbour Avenue from West 61st Street to Jeff Plaza, and Jeff Plaza
• Loop including Whiting Avenue, Holborn Avenue, West 64th Street and Ridgeview Drive from Whiting to Valley Lane
• Willson Road from Eden Avenue to Benton Avenue
• West 64th Street from West Shore Drive to Mooty Pickleball Courts at Rosland Park
• Valley View Road from Wooddale Avenue to Minnesota Highway 62
• Parklawn Avenue from France Avenue South to Edinborough Way
9
Water Conservation Tips from Edina
Public Works
• Water grass only when it needs it. Most lawns only need an inch of water a week. Consider installing a smart irrigation system with moisture sensors.
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
• Take shorter showers using low-flow showerheads instead of baths.
• Turn the faucet off while you shave or brush your teeth.
• Load dishes into the dishwasher without rinsing them.
• Run the dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded.
• Fill the sink to wash dishes by hand instead of letting the water run.
• Use a large pan to clean vegetables rather than letting the water run.
• Only wash full loads of laundry.
• Identify and fix water leaks. The City mails a water leak checklist to properties with high water usage for this purpose.
“Edina gets its water from aquifers that
are 400 to 1,000 feet deep, pumped
by groundwater wells. Most suburban
public water suppliers also get their
water from these same aquifers, so in
years when there’s a regional drought,
it impacts everyone’s supply, which
underscores the need for individual
and communal conservation,” said
Assistant Public Works Director Dave
Goergen. “The Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources encourages water
conservation not only when there’s
drought, but on a continual basis.”
You can view current conditions in Minnesota by visiting the U.S. Drought Monitor website at bit.ly/MinnesotaDroughtMap.
Watering Restrictions
Water usage in the city peaks in the
summertime and can be attributed to
outdoor water use. The City of Edina
has lawn watering restrictions in place
to ensure adequate water supply and
promote conservation.
“Deep groundwater is a precious
resource. If you’re going to irrigate, audit
your system and ensure it’s working the
way you think. Get a smart controller
with moisture sensors for only watering
when needed and then you can program
it. Or consider not having turf at all
and replacing it with native plants or
gardens that don’t require much or
any irrigation,” said Water Resources
Manager Jessica Wilson.
WATERING TIMES
Lawn watering is allowed before 11 a.m.
or after 5 p.m. on your scheduled days.
ODD-EVEN SCHEDULE
Homes or businesses with even-
numbered addresses may water
their lawns on even-numbered
dates. Homes or businesses with
odd-numbered addresses may water
on odd-numbered dates.
Make sure you aren’t watering your lawn
more than you need to. Wilson notes just
because the City’s regulations allow for
every-other-day watering doesn’t mean
you should. Most lawns only need one
inch of water per week.
PERMITS FOR NEW SOD OR SEEDED AREAS
Permits are available to allow proper
watering of new sod or seeded areas and
can be picked up at the Public Works &
Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro
Blvd. Daily watering of new sod and seed
is recommended for the first 14 days to
establish root growth. After two weeks,
normal watering should be sufficient for
establishing a new lawn. The planting of
new sod or seed during very dry times of
the year is discouraged.
Wise About Water Conservation Tips, Watering Restrictions and Identifying Leaks
10
FINES
While it may be tempting to go outside
these restrictions, doing so could cost
you money. Property owners found
in violation can be fined $50-$300
depending on the number of water
restriction violations they’ve had in
the past three years.
EXCEPTIONS
Properties with private wells or those
in the Morningside Neighborhood
that receive water from the City of
Minneapolis are not affected. However,
Morningside Neighborhood properties
must adhere to any restrictions issued
by Minneapolis. In certain situations,
other homes or businesses in Edina
may be exempt from irrigation rules
according to the City Code.
To learn more about the City’s watering restrictions, visit EdinaMN.gov/WateringRestrictions. To learn more about native plantings, visit Metro Blooms’ website at metroblooms.org.
– Compiled by Brittany Bader
Identifying a Water Leak
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks can waste
nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide.
If high water usage is detected at your property, the City will notify you by mail and include a water leak checklist to help you identify any leaks that might be present. If you find and permanently fix a leak at your residential property, you could be eligible for a one-time adjustment on your utility bill. More information about leak adjustments can be found at EdinaMN.gov/LeakPolicy.
Toilets
• Check flappers to ensure no leaking and listen inside the tank for any noise.
• Check floats to make sure water shuts off before it reaches the
top of the overflow tube.
Irrigation (Warm Months)
• Check zone settings on control box.
• Run each zone and walk the yard to each head to locate any wet spots or water coming up. This will usually highlight any leaks in the system.
• Check home side valve box in the yard for a continuous leak.
Humidifiers
• It is recommended that you change your pad or filter every fall. (Check your owner’s manual for frequency.)
• Generally, a humidifier uses 12 gallons of water per day. This can add up to 12 gallons an hour if not running properly.
Outside Spigots
• Spigots should be turned off inside the house during winter months to avoid pipes freezing. Once the spigot is turned off, open the outside spigot to make sure the valve is holding. If not holding properly, it could continuously leak.
• If properly winterized, spigots should be dry with no ice accumulation.
Water Softeners
• Check drain tube to see if water is continuously leaking into floor drain or wash tub.
• Listen to the motor (you may hear the sound of running water). If it is leaking, there will be water running to the drain.
• Check salt usage. If the tank is empty or you’re constantly refilling it, it could be a sign of an issue, but there are different types of water softeners, so refer to your owner’s manual.
CHECKLIST
11
New Neighborhood Feel with Four
Street Reconstruction Projects ¹»
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April 2019
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Four street reconstruction
projects are underway
in Edina.
Roads are prioritized for reconstruction based on their condition. Other factors considered when determining neighborhoods with the highest needs are the condition of underground public utilities, gaps in pedestrian infrastructure and age of original construction. (continued on Page 14)Blake Road A, B, & C
West Promenade (Valley View Road)4
1
3
2
12
1 Blake Road A, B, & C
Where: Intersection of Blake Road and
Interlachen Boulevard
Construction timeframe:
Phase 1 – through mid-July
Phase 2 – through early November
Blake Road was under reconstruction in
2022 due to deteriorated pavement, lack
of sidewalks and high traffic volumes at
the intersection. In 2023, there will be
two phases of reconstruction. Phase 1
will include Interlachen Boulevard and
Phase 2 will be on Blake Road South.
Contact: Chad Millner,
CMillner@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0318
2 Morningside C, D & E
Where: Northwest side of Morningside
Neighborhood/Weber Park
Construction timeframe:
May through October
Morningside was also under
reconstruction last year due to
deteriorated pavement and the need for
flood mitigation. This is a large project
and it’s moving along with the addition
of the “C” phase. The reconstruction is in
conjunction with the Morningside Flood
Infrastructure Project, and storm sewer
pipes will be significantly increased to
move floodwaters to the stormwater
ponds at Weber Park for additional
flood storage.
Contact: Nina Bonanno,
NBonanno@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0448
3 Eden/Grange Roundabouts
Where: Eden Avenue, Grange Avenue
and Willson Road intersection
Construction timeframe:
Early June to mid-August
Two mini-roundabouts will be constructed
to improve pedestrian and driver
safety. Currently, traffic does not move
efficiently, it’s confusing for drivers and
dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Two roundabouts where Eden, Grange
and Willson converge will move traffic
without stop signs or stoplights and
reduce backups at the Minnesota
Highway 100 ramps.
Contact: Chad Millner,
CMillner@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0318
4 West Promenade (Valley View Road)
Where: Near the intersection of Valley
View Road and West 69th Street
Construction timeframe:
August through November
The West Promenade is a shared-use
pedestrian and bicycle sidewalk that will
connect all four city quadrants and serve
Edina schools, parks and community
destinations. In addition to roadway
reconstruction, this project will create
a corridor for pedestrians and bicyclists
and serve as transition space between
residential neighborhoods and the schools.
Contact: Aaron Ditzler,
ADitzler@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0443
Neighborhood Roadway ReconstructionMorningside C
Eden/Grange Roundabouts
Morningside D & E
13
Question and Answers:
What is included in a street reconstruction?
Typically, a street reconstruction includes new curbs and gutters, fire hydrants, sidewalks, underground utility pipes and pavement.
What will happen to my yard?
The City will repair, replace or reinstall
any private infrastructure disrupted by
the reconstruction, including mailboxes,
steps, landscaping, irrigation systems and
pet fences within the public right of way.
Landscaping and plants will be restored
as close to their original state as possible.
How will I be notified of time-
sensitive information?
Time-sensitive information will be posted
to all affected residents’ doors. Residents
should make a habit of checking their
front door each day for new information.
The City will leave a notice during
inconveniences such as short-term
loss of water service or driveway access.
If water services need to be shut off, it
would be for one day during the time
period of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What do I do with my waste cans?
During construction, garbage vendors are allowed to do pickups earlier than normal. Garbage, recycling and organics collection bins should be at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection days.
Is it going to be noisy?
Construction noise will be limited
to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through
Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Construction might occur on Sundays
and holidays, but only with prior
approval from the City. For the
Morningside reconstruction project,
generators will be running continuously
to keep the trenches dry for the pipes
to be installed as they were in 2022.
How do I get more information?
Check the “Street Projects” section of
BetterTogetherEdina.org where updates
will be posted on all projects, including
road closures or detours. You can also sign
up to receive emailed notifications about
the projects on their respective pages.
Residents can also sign up to receive
text message notifications related to
urgent and unexpected impacts on
neighborhood projects by texting
BLAKE or MSIDE22 to 844-929-4328.
More information on text messages
can be found at EdinaMN.gov/Texts.
How will these projects be paid for?
Each project’s funding source is a little
different but includes a mix of tax-
increment financing, Municipal State
Aid (MSA), utility funds, Pedestrian
and Cyclist Safety (PACS) fund, property
taxes and special assessments.
Before 2022, the roadway portion of
street reconstruction was fully funded
through special assessments to property
owners. In July 2021, the Edina City
Council approved a new funding model
that will be phased in through 2036.
Each year between now and then,
street reconstruction will become less
funded through assessments and more
through property taxes. The last year of
assessments will be 2036 for 2035 street
construction projects, with all projects
after being entirely funded through
property taxes.
I’m traveling by car near the
reconstruction projects. What
should I do?
Try to plan alternate routes around
these projects. Detours will be posted.
Anticipate extra travel time if you are
heading near any reconstruction project.
Who should I contact for more information?
Reconstruction is a long process and
the City is committed to making it
more manageable. Staff members
will oversee the contractors at both
reconstruction projects each day. Call
your neighborhood’s City contact with
any further questions and they can
even make a house call, if needed.
For more information about street reconstruction projects, call the Engineering Department, 952-826-0371, or visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/streetprojects.
– Compiled by Lauren Siebenaler
New Neighborhood Feel with Four Street Reconstruction Projects (Continued from P.13)
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By Debbie Townsend
Storm drains on your street are intended
for rainwater, not as a disposal system.
Most storm drains lead directly into
nearby lakes, ponds and streams. The
water isn’t treated, so what goes down
The Storm Drain Is For Rain
Compost/Yard Waste
Grass clippings
Leaves
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Site
Gasoline
Home maintenance liquids
Joint compound
Oil
Paint
Sink Drain
Carpet cleaner tank water
Mop water
Storm Drain
Car wash runoff – residential*
Irrigation water
Melting snow and ice
Rain
Sump discharge
Swimming pool water
Trash
Dog poop or other pet waste
Debris from driveway, garage or sidewalk
the storm drain is what animals drink, fish swim in, kids play in and plants absorb.
It is illegal to pour chemicals or put
items down a storm drain. That also
means no sweeping trash or yard
debris into the street.
*Wash car on lawn or divert runoff into landscaping
to reduce pollutants in stormwater system.
If you see a pollutant going into a storm drain, contact Water Resources Manager Jessica Wilson at 952-826-0445.
Here’s how to legally dispose of things
that have been found in Edina’s
storm drains:
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PipelinePUBLIC WORKS
By Renee Mottet
Minnesota’s unpredictable weather has made restoration in the City’s rights of way difficult in the past year, but Project Manager Zuleyka Marquez has been working to tackle these issues head-on from the first signs of spring. It’s no simple task; lots of people, companies and other components go into resolving restoration issues in the city, but she has worked to connect residents with solutions as quickly as possible.
The City’s rights of way are often busy places with work being done by contractors to maintain and install utilities. This includes the surface and space above and below a public roadway; bicycle lanes, public sidewalks and other areas designated for travel purposes; and utility easements owned by the City.
Since utility work has begun in these areas, Marquez has received varying concerns from residents such as finding sand, dirt or excavated areas near their properties or damaged sidewalk panels.
Private utility companies must guarantee their work in Edina’s rights of way for two years and resolve any damage within this time frame. Unfortunately,
Warm Weather Brings Right-of-Way Restoration
restoration can only be done in the warmer months, so some issues from last year have carried over into this year.
Restoration for last year’s damage began this spring, with any reported safety hazards being handled first. It is typically conducted as soon as possible, but weather conditions and a high workload can impact timing. Restoration work will be ongoing throughout the remaining warm months, and if anything fails, the contractors are expected to return in the fall to resolve any issues.
The Engineering Department works in partnership with private utility companies to coordinate getting damages fixed, which can be an extensive process.
Marquez said, “We are always striving to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible, but things typically move faster if the resident can give us more information on the issue, such as a timeline of when it happened, a photo, a logo of a truck that conducted the work, an address or all of these things.”
If your property has been affected, fill out a report through the Edina 311 app or online at EdinaMN.gov/Edina311. Enter your address and then choose the “Property Damage by a Private Party” category.
For more information, contact the Engineering Department at 952-826-0371.
New Lift Station in the Works
The existing Lift Station 6 at 4400 72nd St., which services two-thirds of the City’s wastewater, is expected to be replaced by the end of 2023. The construction of a new lift station is more cost-effective and will be better sized to handle future development and maintenance. (File Photo)
City of Edina
Public Works & Park
Maintenance Facility
7450 Metro Blvd.
Edina, MN 55439
EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks
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Making Safe Drinking Water
Most drinking water in Edina comes from
a groundwater source: 18 wells ranging
from 381 to 1130 feet deep that draw
water from the Mt. Simon and Hinkley
aquifers. 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.
Edina 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
information on local drinking water and
how to protect precious water resources.
Those in the Morningside Neighborhood
can view the City of Minneapolis’
drinking water report online at
bit.ly/2022MinneapolisWater.
Contact Assistant Public Works Director
David 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
(EPA) 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Edina Monitoring Results
This report contains our monitoring
results from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022.
The City of Edina 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.html.
How to Read the Water Quality Data Tables
The tables on the following pages show
the contaminants the City found last year
or the most recent time officials sampled
for that contaminant. They also show the
levels of those contaminants and the EPA’s
limits. Substances that were tested for but
did not find are not included in the tables.
The City samples for some contaminants
less than once a year because their levels
in water are not expected to change from
year to year. If officials found any of these
contaminants the last time they sampled
for them, they included them in the tables
below with the detection date.
The City 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 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 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.
2022 City of Edina Drinking Water Report
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Issued July 2023
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MRDL (Maximum residual disinfectant
level): The highest level of a disinfectant
allowed in drinking water. There is
convincing evidence that 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.
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.
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 (Aug. 31, 2021)0 ppb 90% of homes less than 15 ppb 1.2 ppb 0 out of 30 NO Corrosion of household plumbing
Copper (Aug. 31, 2021)0 ppm 90% of homes less than 1.3 ppm 0.63 ppm 0 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 (08/05/19)2 ppm 2 ppm 0.17 ppm N/A NO Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits
Picloram (2018)500 ppb 500 ppb 0.11 ppb N/A NO Herbicide runoff
Trichloroethylene (TCE)0 ppb 5 ppb 0.12 ppb 0.00-0.12 ppb NO Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene (trans-1,2-dichloroethylene)
100 ppb 100 ppb 0.17 ppb 0.00-0.17 ppb NO Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene (cis-1,2-dichloroethylene)
70 ppb 70 ppb 2.9 ppb 0.00-2.90 ppb NO Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories
Vinyl chloride 0 ppb 2 ppb 0.24 ppb 0.00-0.24 ppb NO Leaching from PVC piping; discharge from plastics factories
Gross Alpha 0 pCi/l 15.4 pCi/l 11 pCi/l 6.3-11.0 pCi/l NO Erosion of natural deposits
Combined Radium 0 pCi/l 5.4 pCi/l 4.4 pCi/l 0.0-4.4 pCi/l NO Erosion of natural deposits
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OTHER SUBSTANCES – Tested in drinking water
Substance (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
Fluoride 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 0.65 ppm 0.61-0.74 ppm NO Erosion of natural deposits; water additive to promote strong teeth
Potential Health Effects and Corrective Actions
(If Applicable)
Fluoride: If your drinking water fluoride levels
are below the optimal concentration range of
0.5 to 0.9 ppm, talk with your dentist about how you can protect your teeth and your family’s teeth from tooth decay and cavities.
For more information, visit www.health.state.
mn.us/communities/environment/water/com/
fluoride.html.
Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter, with small
amounts present naturally in many drinking
water sources. There is an overwhelming weight of credible, peer-reviewed, scientific evidence that fluoridation reduces tooth
decay and cavities in children and adults, even
when there is availability of fluoride from
other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses. Since studies show that optimal fluoride levels in drinking water benefit public
health, municipal community water systems
adjust the level of fluoride in the water to an
optimal concentration between 0.5 to 0.9 ppm to protect your teeth. Fluoride levels below 2.0 ppm are not expected to increase the risk of a
cosmetic condition known as enamel fluorosis.
CONTAMINANTS RELATED TO DISINFECTION – Tested in drinking water
Substance (Date, if sampled in previous year)
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 4 ppb 3.70-4.00 ppb NO By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA)N/A 60 ppb 3.5 ppb 0.00-3.50 ppb NO By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Chlorine 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 1.49 ppm 1.29-1.67 ppm NO Water additive used to control microbes
Total HAA refers to HAA5
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Monitoring Results –
Unregulated Substances
In addition to testing drinking water for
contaminants regulated under the Safe
Drinking Water Act, the City sometimes
also monitors 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. Scientists are often still learning about the health effects, so this information can change over time.
The following table shows the unregulated
contaminants the City 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 fetuses,
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. The City is notifying you of
the unregulated contaminants detected
as a public education opportunity.
More information is available on MDH’s
website at www.health.state.mn.us/
communities/environment/water/
contaminants/index.html and www.health.
state.mn.us/communities/environment/
water/com/ucmr4.html.
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 24.8 ppm 11.10-24.80 ppm
Sulfate 500 ppm 26.1 ppm 11.60-26.10 ppm
*Note that home water softening can increase the level of sodium in your water.
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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
people such as those with cancer
undergoing chemotherapy, those who
have undergone organ transplants, those
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.
Learn More About Your Drinking Water
Drinking Water Sources
Groundwater supplies 75 percent of
Minnesota’s drinking water and is found
in aquifers beneath the surface of the
land. Surface water supplies 25 percent
of Minnesota’s drinking water, and is the
water in lakes, rivers and streams above
the surface of the land. 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 sources;
• 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.html or call
651-201-4700 between 8 a.m. and
4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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 www.mprnews.
org/story/2016/06/24/npr-find-lead-
pipes-in-your-home.
• 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.
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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 with 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. Find instructions
on how to submit a sample online at
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
online at 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,
www.health.state.mn.us/communities/
environment/lead/fs/common.html.
Water systems have ongoing
infrastructure, operations and
maintenance costs in supplying
safe drinking water, and many are
implementing additional efforts to
help ensure health equity and
manageable water bills with:
• Turn the faucet off while
brushing teeth.
• Shower instead of bathing to
reduce water use.
• Fix running toilets by replacing
flapper valves.
• Run full loads of laundry and use
a minimal water use setting.
• Our water system partners with
others to help consumers with
limited resources make payments
to their water bills.
• Contact the City to learn more.
Visit EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks
or call 952-826-0376.
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