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PipelinePUBLIC WORKS
This issue of Public Works Pipeline contains the City’s annual water quality report, which includes complete information on the monitoring done on Edina’s drinking water last year.
Morningside Neighborhood residents who receive their water from the City of Minneapolis will find information detailing the quality of Minneapolis’ water online at bit.ly/2017MplsWaterReport. A detailed account of Edina’s water quality is in this issue, including test results on all contaminants deemed by
the Minnesota Department of Health to pose a health risk.
The City’s goal is to provide residents with water that surpasses both state and federal requirements for safety and quality. This year’s report shows Edina’s water surpasses regulatory standards on all counts.
For more information, contact Edina Public Works at 952-826-0375.
Neighborhood Street ReconstructionSee page 12
Water Report For the Year 2017See page 14
2
Eight Sidewalk
and Bike Path
Projects Feed into
Master Vision
2
By David Katz
3
According to a recent study, nearly half of all car trips taken are to a destination less than three miles from the driver’s starting point. Remarkably, a quarter of such outings are to a location less than one mile away. Short, intracity car trips of this sort contribute disproportionately to traffic congestion, pollution and accidents.
In an ongoing effort to encourage residents to consider alternate forms of transit, the City of Edina approved a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan in February. As part of this long-range plan, nearly 60 miles of new paths and sidewalks will be built to complement the City’s existing infrastructure of 85 miles of sidewalk and approximately 9 miles of shared-use paths.
The Master Plan calls for a city-wide
“Twin Loops” framework consisting of
inner and outer networks. The so-called
Outer Loop will link Edina’s current bike
and pedestrian infrastructure with those
of Minneapolis and St. Louis Park. It
will also provide easier access to many
of Edina’s parks and public amenities,
including Braemar Golf Course and The
Promenade.
A smaller, concentric Inner Loop will tie together all four quadrants of Edina – and be of particular advantage to students who walk or bike to school in several high-traffic neighborhoods.
Fortunately, residents do not need to wait years for the final realization of this Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan to see significant improvements. Eight sidewalk and shared-use path projects, ranging in size from 160 feet to 1,855 feet in length, are slated to take place during the 2018 construction season.
“Many of these enhancements tie into existing projects,” said Transportation Planner Mark Nolan. “When we can find ways to build sidewalks or paths alongside street reconstruction, there’s money to be saved.”
State-aid reconstruction programs are a prime example. In the Pamela Park Neighborhood, for instance, residents will see a new sidewalk between Valley View Road and Brookview Avenue as part of a larger reconstruction initiative encompassing everything from water main repair to street curb replacement. Shared-use paths on West 62nd Street, between Valley View Road and France Avenue, are also in the making as part of the work in this area.
Two further shared-use paths are
planned for 2018, both of which will
enhance accessibility to the popular
Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
already bisecting Edina. On the west
side of town, in the Bredesen Park
Neighborhood, Lincoln Drive will gain
840 feet of asphalt paths between
Londonderry Road and Dovre Drive.
Farther east, West 70th Street will
receive 600 feet between Nine Mile
Creek Regional Trail and Cahill Road.
In addition to the stretch along West 62nd Street already mentioned, four other sidewalk projects top off a busy schedule for the Engineering Department. In partnership with Hennepin County and the City of St. Louis Park, crews will add about 1,280 feet alongside France Avenue in the Morningside area between 39th Street and 42nd Street.
In the Concord Neighborhood, as part of another larger neighborhood reconstruction initiative, the City will add 1,120 feet along West 60th Street, between Concord Avenue and School Road. Over in the Grandview Neighborhood, Vernon Avenue will gain 160 feet strategically spaced between Acadia Avenue and Minnesota Highway 100.
Last, Valley View Road will gain 930 feet of sidewalk starting at Gleason Road and ending at Mark Terrace Drive. This comes as a follow-up to a recent Edina Active Routes to School study recommendation, and will greatly benefit students traveling to and from Edina High School and Valley View Middle School.
“We know from extensive research
there is a certain user group who feels
unsafe in standard bike lanes on streets
[shared with vehicular traffic],” Nolan
said. “One of our main goals throughout
is to make these people feel safe and
comfortable traveling around Edina
by bike or on foot – and to make it
convenient to do so.”
For more information on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan or 2018 sidewalks or paths to be constructed, contact Nolan, 952-826-0322 or mnolan@EdinaMN.gov.
Nearly 60 miles of new paths and
sidewalks will be built to complement
the City’s existing infrastructure.
By Lauren Siebenaler
Blue-green algae might look like typical
lake vegetation, but its effects can cause
quite the stir.
This algae has City staff working with
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and
the University of Minnesota to monitor
the condition of Lake Cornelia and ways
to reduce the likelihood of a toxic blue-
green algae bloom.
“Avoid contact with the water if you’re
not sure. It’s only a hazard if you’re
ingesting it,” said Jessica Wilson, Edina’s
Water Resources Coordinator. “You
shouldn’t come in contact with the
water, but you can breathe the air and
still walk around the lake. The biggest
concern is for pets. If people are letting
their dogs go in and out of the water,
and then they lick themselves, their
bodies are much smaller, so they tend to
get more sick than humans do.”
When water is stagnant, warm and rich
in nutrients – especially phosphorus
– blue-green algae, also known as
cyanobacteria, can grow quickly, forming
“blooms.” These blooms typically look
like pea soup or bright green paint. They
can produce a strong, swampy odor as
the cyanobacteria breaks down. This
form of bacteria can produce toxins
called Microcystin that can have harmful
effects on humans and pets. Although
this toxin is not always present with
blue-green algae blooms, a sample
and analysis is required to confirm its
presence. The toxin
presence cannot be
confirmed with only a
visual inspection.
Lake Cornelia adjacent
to Rosland Park, 4300
W. 66th St., was found
to have blue-green
algae in the past.
“Blue-green algae
are the result of higher phosphorus and
nutrient loads heading to the lake. We
are trying to abate some of that,” said
Randy Anhorn, Administrator of the Nine
Mile Creek Watershed District. “We’re
doing a couple studies on Lake Cornelia in
partnership with the City. The University
of Minnesota is looking at one of the
ponds as a loading source. We’re going
to do a carp survey because sometimes
carp can increase internal loading of
phosphorus to the lake. We hope to soon
be looking at implementing some projects
to reduce nutrient loads to the lake.”
Blue-green algae seems to be popping
up more in lakes around the metro area,
although it has been present in northern
Minnesota lakes that have sparse
development around them. A mix of
ingredients are to blame for finding the
bacteria in Edina lakes and they all lead
to producing an excess of phosphorus.
Development that doesn’t follow Nine
Mile Creek Watershed District’s quality
standards, yard clippings and fertilizers,
trash and dirt, carp and the invasive curly
leaf pond weed are all factors that play
into the prosperous blue-green algae.
BLUE-GREEN ALGAE RATES ARE BLOOMING
If you think you or your pet have been exposed
to blue-green algae toxins, contact your health
care provider or veterinarian. Report any illnesses
where the suspected cause is blue-green algae to
the Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne
and Water Illness Hotline, 877-366-3455 or
health.foodill@state.mn.us.
4
“A question I get a lot is ‘is it going to
bloom again?’ It’s hard to predict, but I
would not be surprised if it did happen
again in Edina,” said Wilson. “Because
when you think about the ingredients
for cyanobacteria – the phosphorus
nutrients, warm temperatures, dry
periods – there’s really only one of those
things we can actually influence and that
would be nutrients.”
If the harmful toxins are found in Edina
lakes, the City is prepared to communicate
with all residents in the surrounding area
of the lake. When Lake Cornelia was found
to have it in 2016, the City made
RATES ARE BLOOMING
large signs to warn visitors not to have any
contact with the water. Residents received
letters in the mail and a City Extra email
list was created for those interested in
updates. The City is prepared for another
event like that.
For more information about blue-green
algae, contact Wilson at
jwilson@EdinaMN.gov. For more
information on the monitoring and
sampling of Edina lakes, contact Anhorn
at ranhorn@ninemilecreek.org. MPCA Photos5
Sewer Line Coverage Optional
for Residents
By Debbie Townsend
6
7
Do I need this or does my insurance already
cover this?
Anyone considering this coverage should check
with their homeowner’s insurance agent. Some
policies already cover both water and sewer lines.
If these lines break outside my home, isn’t that
the City’s responsibility?
The City is responsible only for its portion of the
lines. For water lines, the City’s responsibility ends
at the curb stop, which is located between 5 and 15
feet from the street. For sewer, it ends at the main,
a much longer distance from a home and could
require excavation into the street, which can be
more costly to repair.
How often do these breaks happen?
Water line breaks, at a reported 50 to 60 per year in
Edina, are far more common than sewer line breaks.
Only a handful of sewer line breaks are reported
each year to the City.
What causes a sewer line break?
“About 99 percent of the time it’s tree roots,”
Goergen said. Hair roots from the tree sneak into
the pipe joints. When they are fed by the sewage,
they grow exponentially and eventually crack the
pipes, which are usually clay.
Heavy construction around the lines, especially
weighty equipment, also can cause a break. People
who have experienced backups of their sewer,
including by flushing inappropriate items down
toilets or drains, are more likely to experience
breaks in their lines, Goergen said.
Can I tell if my sewer lines might be affected by
tree roots?
Yes. You can hire a plumbing company to snake a
small camera through your sewer lines.
Many Edina residents recently received a letter from
Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) regarding
insurance coverage on exterior sewer lines. This is
optional coverage offered by a private company, not the
City of Edina, to help people avoid expensive repairs if
their sewer line were to leak or break.
“It’s like any insurance. People need to decide how much
risk they are willing to take on versus how much they
are willing to pay when something arises,” said Dave
Goergen, Public Works Coordinator.
SLWA offers coverage for both water and sewer lines.
Residents can sign up for one or both or decide not to
enroll. Every few months, SLWA sends letters to those
who haven’t signed up for one coverage or the other.
Each time a letter goes out, Goergen receives calls from
residents who wonder if it’s a scam or if it’s worthwhile.
It’s not a scam, and it’s up to residents to decide for
themselves whether to purchase it.
Here are some other frequently asked questions and
their answers from Goergen, Public Works Director Brian
Olson and SLWA.
If you have questions about the warranty
program, coverage, its costs or to check if
you have already enrolled, contact SLWA
at slwofa.com or 1-866-922-9006. If you are
unsure about the age of your sewer lines or
don’t know if they’ve had breaks before, call
Goergen at 952-826-0312.
8
570 Hot dogs
served
Trucks to touch
18
520
Free kids’
plastic
hard hats
distributed
People in
attendance
Displays
8
769
BY THE NUMBERS
Public Works Open House
On an overcast May day, the City of Edina’s Public Works, Park Maintenance and Engineering
staff hosted an open house that garnered record attendance. Residents showed up in force
to learn more about what it takes to make Edina orderly and functional. There were several
trucks to climb in, displays to view and demonstrations to witness of some of the unique
tools and technology used by the City. Public Works hosts this event in even-numbered
years. Mark your May 2020 calendar for the next open house!
99
10
Residents may notice more water in their yards, roadways or at parks after a heavy rainfall or snow melt. Rest assured, the City is aware of the potential for flooding and has a firm understanding of the potential risk areas.
“We’re in a good place for managing water, but we hear concerns from residents. In the metro area, we have impervious cover everywhere and increased precipitation. So, now we have this complex problem that can lead to flooding and clean water issues,” said Water Resource Coordinator Jessica Wilson.
An updated Comprehensive Water
Resources Management Plan (CWRMP)
guides management of surface water
quality and quantity for many bodies of
water in the city over the next 10 years.
In a fully developed city like Edina, standing water after major rain events or during snow melt is expected and planned for by City staff. Those are dubbed potential flood areas and are outlined in a detailed map available to anyone at EdinaMN.gov/WaterMap. These areas could be roadways, parks and trails, or residential areas that may see a small amount of standing water.
“We don’t expect people to live with water all the time, but it’s hard to say whether it’s acceptable without chatting with them, so they can call us and we’ll work through that with them,” said
Flooding
Concerns
Addressed in
Updated Water
Management Plan
By Krystal Caron
10
11
Wilson. In addition, residents can consult the online map that shows expected flood areas during peak water events.
“This map shows the entire city and where the water would be at the peak of a storm. Backyards, parks, streets – you can see in this level of rain, your backyard will be wet. It’s not perfect – it is a model – but we’ve put a lot of resources into it.”
Decades ago, water was quickly routed
away from streets and homes through
pipes with no consideration of the
downstream impact. Today, there is
increased flooding because of the amount
of impervious areas and increased
precipitation, with a simultaneous focus
on clean water that had been absent in
the past.
“We have a lot of catching up to do. We have this 1950s and ‘60s drainage skeleton throughout the city that was built to get rid of the water as fast as possible, but now we have clean water values,” said Wilson. “In the past, there were instances where some small issues were solved or others were ignored or transferred somewhere else. Now that we have this updated model, we have a much better understanding of the system and its opportunities and constraints. It allows us to be much wiser about the decisions we make regarding water management.
“Our updated model is incredibly detailed. It really helps us to better understand, manage and communicate risk. With this plan and this model, we’re thinking much more about the future. We’re not thinking
just about next year or next spring, we’re thinking about the next 100 years.”
In addition to managing excess water, the CWRMP guides the City in clean water practices. It identifies regular “good housekeeping” stormwater practices and capital improvement projects to aid in the management of clean water.
“We share this plan with
other departments like Public
Works and Parks & Recreation
to stack those beneficial uses so we can
make improvements, but also put in
benefits for water management or clean
water,” said Wilson. “An engineer’s oath
is ‘health, safety and welfare.’ Sharing this
plan aligns with that oath. We want to
make this report very transparent to City
Council Members and decision makers so
they can make strong, beneficial decisions
for this community.”
Clean water practices aren’t just limited to City staff and elected officials; residents play an important role in water management on their own property.
“One solution for water management is a rain garden, which can be shallow basins you can direct downspouts into driveway runoff. They can be planted with native plants or garden plants, but plants that can tolerate wet and dry conditions. These practices are designed to capture water and allow it to soak in to the ground naturally within 24 to 48 hours so these aren’t mosquito breeding grounds,”
said Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Program and Project Manager Erica Sniegowski. “There are ways even if you have a flatter lot to convey water and still put in a rain garden.”
She also recommends directing downspouts to greenspace, installing more shrubs and native plants and aerating your yard for better drainage. If you have considerable drainage concerns, contact a landscaper or other professional to help discuss possible solutions. Grants may also be available to anyone who is interested in putting in a rain garden or participating in native plant restoration. Learn more about grant opportunities at NineMileCreek.org. Hennepin County also offers similar grants to landowners; learn more at Hennepin.us.
If you see rising water and have questions, call the Engineering Department at 952-826-0371. Residents who live in potential flood areas are also encouraged to assess their risk and look into flood insurance, if necessary. To learn more or read the CWRMP, visit EdinaMN.gov/
WaterResources.
Residents can consult the online map
that shows where expected flood
areas are during peak water events.
EdinaMN.gov/WaterMap
The Streets Division of Edina’s Public Works Department is midway through its annual mill and overlay projects. The City plans to complete dozens of such projects this summer in addition to road reconstruction projects underway.
Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson says the goal is to save the City money by proactively maintaining existing roads
before they require full reconstruction. Special assessments for a neighborhood reconstruction project are typically several thousand dollars per single-family home, based on the City’s current Special Assessment Policy. Scheduled maintenance strategies, including mill and overlays, delay the need for full roadway reconstruction for several years. Anderson explains one of the benefits of overlays is the finished product looks like a brand new road and provides 10-20 years of additional service life.
Other divisions of Public Works are also involved in the mill-and-overlay projects. Before a project begins, the Utilities Division adjusts or repairs manholes, gate valves and catch basins along the
Mill-and-overlay
projects are
part of the City’s
Proactive Pavement
Management Plan.
road. The Concrete Division also removes and replaces damaged sections of curb and gutter, as necessary. Private utility companies, such as CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy, are also encouraged to perform any repairs to their systems prior to the overlay project. The goal of this coordination is to maximize the service life of the new pavement and forestall the need to dig in the street after the project is completed.
The mill-and-overlay process usually takes about two weeks to complete in a neighborhood. The first step lasts three to five days and is called milling. It’s when a large machine removes 1.5 to 2 inches off the surface layer of a road. The removed material is then hauled away for recycling or disposal. After the pavement is milled, other crew members sweep the street to pick up leftover debris. The crew then does a second job of sweeping before laying down an oil emulsion that helps the new asphalt bond with the old.
City To Complete
Dozens Of Street
Maintenance
Projects
By Dietrich Nissen
12
13
Finally, a paving machine is used to lay down the new layer of asphalt.
Anderson says the City likes to mill and then pave as quickly as possible. “We don’t want to inconvenience residents,” said Anderson. He also wants to reassure residents they shouldn’t worry about any damage to their vehicles during this process and that crews use rubber inserts to smooth the transition over manholes prior to paving.
The Streets Division uses a five-year
Anticipated Roadway Maintenance Plan to
target different roadways. In the last few
years, the City switched from laying down
concrete roadways to asphalt ones, which
makes the mill-and-overlay process much
easier. Anderson also said old asphalt
that’s pulled up can be recycled with an
asphalt plant and the City gets money
back for it.
The mill-and-overlay projects are one part of the City’s Proactive Pavement Management Plan. Engineering Technician Andrew Scipioni oversees the plan, which strives to prolong the service life of roadways and decrease the frequency of assessed reconstruction projects. Under this plan, the general sequence of maintenance activities for a roadway is construction, seal coat, first overlay, second overlay, then reconstruction. Seal coating is another preemptive maintenance strategy that protects the asphalt from damage caused by exposure to sunlight and water. Some roadways in
Edina have required reconstruction only 30 years after original construction; but with proper maintenance, this interval can be extended to 50 or 60 years. However, Scipioni says all reconstruction times are subject to change depending on a road’s condition over time.
Public Works Director Brian Olson says it’s encouraging to see the City Council continuing to increase the funding for the mill-and-overlay projects. The Council recently raised the amount from $500,000 to $800,000 per year in 2018 and 2019, which will go specifically toward purchasing more asphalt.
“We want to proactively use money
rather than reactively,” says Olson. “I’m
incredibly impressed with the cooperation
and coordination that I have between the
different divisions and the Engineering
Department. This is really a team effort
and it wouldn’t happen if it weren’t
seamless.”
This year’s mill-and-overlay projects are:
• Braemar Hills (Braemar Boulevard
through Braemar Golf Course and by
Braemar Arena)
• Bush Lake Road (West 78th Street to Edina Industrial Boulevard)
• Cahill (Edina Industrial and Metro
Boulevards, Bush Lake Road, West
74th and 76th Streets)
• Cahill Road (West 78th Street to West 70th Street)
• Concord (School Road, Ruth Drive and West 59th Street)
• Countryside (Countryside Road and Crescent Drive)
• Edina Industrial Boulevard (Metro Boulevard to Minnesota Highway 100)
• Edinborough (York Terrace and part of nearby Xerxes Avenue)
• Fox Meadow (Oak Bend Lane)
• Indian Hills (McIntyre Point, Timber Trail and Timber Ridge)
• Normandale Road (Edina Industrial Boulevard to city limits, west of Highway 100)
• Pentagon (Computer Avenue, Viking Drive and Normandale Road east of Highway 100)
• Presidents (Belmore Lane, Dearborn Court, Waterman Avenue, Waterman Circle, Arthur Street, Griffit Street, Mendelssohn Lane, Spruce Road and Bissen Circle)
• Valley View Road (Antrim Road to West 66th Street)
• West 66th Street (Naomi Drive to West Shore Drive)
• West 70th Street (Cahill Road to Metro Boulevard)
For more information, contact Anderson at 952-826-0313 or Scipioni at 952-826-0440.
14
Making Safe Drinking Water
Your drinking water comes from a
groundwater source: 18 wells ranging
from 381 to 1,080 feet deep, that draw
water from the Prairie Du Chien-Jordan,
Hinckley-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 Dave Goergen, Public Works
Coordinator, 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 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 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
800-426-4791.
Edina Monitoring Results
This report contains our monitoring results
from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017.
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 website,
www.health.state.mn.us.
How to Read the Water Quality Data
Tables
The tables on the following page 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 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
with the detection date.
We may have done additional monitoring
for contaminants 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.
Definitions
AL (Action Level): The concentration of a
contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers
treatment or other requirements which a
water system must follow.
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
MCL (Maximum contaminant level): The
highest level of a contaminant 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.
Level 1 Assessment: A Level 1 assessment
is a study of the water system to identify
potential problems and determine (if
possible) why total coliform bacteria have
been found in our water system.
Level 2 Assessment: A Level 2 assessment
is a very detailed study of the water
system to identify potential problems and
determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL
violation has occurred and/or why total
2017 City of Edina Drinking Water Report
14
1515
coliform bacteria have been found in our
water system on multiple occasions.
MRDL (Maximum residual disinfectant
level): The highest level of a disinfectant
allowed in drinking water. There is
convincing evidence that 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.
NA (Not applicable): Does not apply.
NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): A
measure of the cloudiness of the water
(turbidity).
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.
TT (Treatment Technique): A required
process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
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
(Date, if sampled in
previous year)
EPA’s Action Level EPA’s Ideal Goal
(MCLG)
90% of Results
Were Less Than
Number of Homes
with High Levels Violation Typical Sources
Copper (Nov. 16, 2017)90% of homes less than 1.3 ppm 0 ppm 0.85 ppm 3 out of 104 No Corrosion of household plumbing.
Lead (Nov. 16, 2017)90% of homes less
than 15 ppb
0 ppb 2.6 ppb 1 out of 104 No Corrosion of household plumbing.
Water Quality Data Tables
INORGANIC & ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water.
Contaminant (Date, if sampled in previous year)EPA’s Limit (MCL)EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)
Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result
Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources
Barium (July 25,
2013)
2 ppm 2 ppm 0.17 ppm N/A No Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposit.
cis-1,2-
Dichloroethene (cis-
1,2-dichloroethylene)
70 ppb 70 ppb 4.6 ppb 0.00 - 3.20 ppb No Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories.
Combined Radium 5.4 pCi/l 0 pCi/l 3.6 pCi/l 2.3 - 3.6 pCi/l No Erosion of natural deposits.
Gross Alpha 15.4 pCi/l 0 pCi/l 18 pCi/l 6.7 - 18.0 pCi/l No Erosion of natural deposits.
16
CONTAMINANTS RELATED TO DISINFECTION – Tested in drinking water.
Substance
(Date, if sampled in
previous year)
EPA’s Limit (MCL or
MRDL)
EPA’s Ideal Goal
(MCLG or MRDLG)
Highest Average
or Highest Single
Test Result
Range of Detected
Test Results Violation Typical Sources
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
80 ppb N/A 1.2 ppb 0.80 - 1.20 ppb No By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA)60 ppb N/A 1.2 ppb 0.00 - 1.20 ppb No By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Total Chlorine 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 1.19 ppm 1.03 - 1.35 ppm No Water additive used to control microbes.
OTHER SUBSTANCES – Tested in drinking water.
Substance
(Date, if sampled in
previous year)
EPA’s Limit (MCL)EPA’s Ideal Goal
(MCLG)
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 0.58 - 0.67 ppm No Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive to promote strong teeth.
Total HAA refers to HAA5
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, please 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. 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 optimal fluoride levels in
drinking water benefit public health, municipal
community water systems adjust the level
of fluoride in the water to a concentration
between 0.5 to 1.5 parts per million (ppm),
with an optimal fluoridation goal between 0.7
and 1.2 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.
Gross Alpha: During the year, our system had a
gross alpha result greater than the MCL on one
of our seasonal wells. By the end of the year,
only one quarterly sample had been collected.
Since there is variability in sampling results,
and this is not an acute contaminant, four
quarterly sample results are used to determine
compliance. Quarterly monitoring for gross
alpha is being conducted on this well, when
applicable.
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Making Safe Drinking Water
Your drinking water comes from a surface
water source: surface water drawn from
Mississippi River.
Minneapolis works hard to provide you
with safe and reliable drinking water
that meets or exceeds all 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 George Kraynick, Water Quality
Manager, at 612-661-4923 or george.
kraynick@minneapolismn.gov 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.
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 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 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
800-426-4791.
Minneapolis Monitoring Results
This report contains our monitoring results
from January 1 to December 31, 2017.
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 Basics
of Monitoring and Testing of Drinking
Water in Minnesota (http://www.health.
state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/factsheet/com/
sampling.html).
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 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
with the detection date.
We may have done additional monitoring
for contaminants 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.
Definitions
AL (Action Level): The concentration of a
contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers
treatment or other requirements which a
water system must follow.
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
MCL (Maximum contaminant level): The
highest level of a contaminant 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 that addition of a
disinfectant is necessary for control of
microbial contaminants.
2017 City of Minneapolis Drinking Water Report
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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.
NA (Not applicable): Does not apply.
NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): A
measure of the cloudiness of the water
(turbidity).
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.
TT (Treatment Technique): A required
process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
LEAD AND COPPER – Tested at customer taps.
Contaminant
(Date, if sampled in
previous year)
EPA’s Action Level EPA’s Ideal Goal
(MCLG)
90% of Results
Were Less Than
Number of Homes
with High Levels Violation Typical Sources
Copper (06/25/15)90% of homes less than 1.3 ppm 0 ppm 0.08 ppm 0 out of 54 NO Corrosion of household plumbing.
Lead (06/25/15)90% of homes less
than 15 ppb
0 ppb 1.6 ppb 0 out of 54 NO Corrosion of household plumbing.
Water Quality Data Tables
INORGANIC & ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water.
Contaminant (Date, if sampled in previous year)EPA’s Limit (MCL)EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG)
Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result
Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources
Nitrate 10.4 ppm 10 ppm 0.41 ppm N/A NO Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
Carbon Tetrachloride 5 ppb 0 ppb 0.2 ppb*N/A NO Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities.
* = Follow up sampling showed no contamination present
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CONTAMINANTS RELATED TO DISINFECTION – Tested in drinking water.
Substance
(Date, if sampled in
previous year)
EPA’s Limit (MCL or
MRDL)
EPA’s Ideal Goal
(MCLG or MRDLG)
Highest Average
or Highest Single
Test Result
Range of Detected
Test Results Violation Typical Sources
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
80 ppb N/A 23.5 ppb 6.70 - 34.40 ppb NO By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA)*60 ppb N/A 26.3 ppb 0.00 - 36.40 ppb NO By-product of drinking water disinfection.
Total Chloramine 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 3.14 ppm 2.70 - 3.60 ppm NO Water additive used to control microbes.
OTHER SUBSTANCES – Tested in drinking water.
Substance
(Date, if sampled in
previous year)
EPA’s Limit (MCL)EPA’s Ideal Goal
(MCLG)
Highest Average
or Highest Single
Test Result
Range of Detected
Test Results Violation Typical Sources
Fluoride*4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 0.7 ppm 0.64 - 0.70 ppm NO Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive to promote strong teeth.
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%0.19 NTU NO Soil runoff.
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCT INDICATOR – Tested in source water and in drinking water.
Substance Removal Required Removal Achieved Average Removal Achieved Violation Typical Sources
Total Organic Carbon 25%-30%55 - 64%59%NO N/A
*Total HAA refers to HAA5
*Fluoride: 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 a concentration between 0.5 to 1.5 parts per million (ppm), with an optimal fluoridation goal between 0.7 and 1.2 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.
The percentage of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal was measured each month. The system met all TOC removal requirements, unless there is a “YES” in the Violation
column.
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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
persons such as persons 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
800-426-4791.
Learn More about Your 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 and Minneapolis are
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/divs/eh/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.
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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
provides 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
apps.npr.org/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.
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 and
instructions on how to submit a
sample at https://apps.health.state.
mn.us/eldo/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 www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/
water/factsheet/com/poulead.html.
Learn more:
• Visit www.health.state.mn.us/
divs/eh/water/contaminants/lead.
html#Protect.
• Visit www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
• Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at 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/divs/eh/lead/sources.
html.
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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 chlorine to remove microorganisms
from the water. Edina maintains its
chlorine level between 1 and 1.5 part per
million. Some people are more sensitive
to the odor of chlorine. The Public
Works Department tests the water every
day to make sure the levels are within
national regulation guidelines. This level
of chlorine is not harmful, but may smell
offensive to individuals. An easy solution
is to keep a container of water stored
in your refrigerator. The chlorine gas
dissipates very quickly, leaving no odor.
I live in the Morningside
Neighborhood. Why does my water
smell “fishy”?
The water source for the Morningside
area of Edina is surface water provided
by the Minneapolis Utility Department.
Minneapolis gets its water from the
Mississippi River. Low river levels can
cause the fishy odor, which is a common
occurrence with surface systems. The
City of Minneapolis is working toward a
solution for this problem.
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, Monday through
Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 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 the Public Works Department does not
charge for this service!
What is the hardness of Edina water,
and what level of hardness should I
set my water softener to?
Edina water is 18 grains of hardness. The
Utilities Division recommends setting your
softener to soften the water to 3 or 4
grains of hardness.
What other important information
should I know about Edina’s water?
Edina water has less than 1 part per
million of iron. The pH level of Edina
water is 7.6. Edina maintains fluoride at
about 1 part per million.
Why do I have red water in some
fixtures in my home, but not
everywhere? What can be done?
Chances are it’s from old-style galvanized
pipes. You can clean the fixtures with
a rust remover. For a more permanent
solution, replace galvanized pipes with
copper. Another possible reason is
that your softened water might not be
reaching that area of your house.
Is red water safe to use and drink?
The red that you are seeing is iron
particles. Iron is not dangerous to use
or drink — it just looks different. You
probably don’t want to wash clothes in
red water, as it can leave stains. There is
a product called Rover that you can get
from the Utilities Division to remove rust
from clothing.
– Compiled by Susan Waack
Frequently Asked Questions
The Utilities Division
recommends setting
your water softener
to soften the water
to 3 or 4 grains of
hardness.
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The Utilities Division, comprised of just
12 employees and their supervisor, is
responsible for the City’s drinking water,
sanitary sewer collection and stormwater
management network.
Mike Thomason, who was hired May 29 as a Public Service Worker, knows that working in this Division means juggling a variety of tasks.
“He’s doing a lot of catch basin and
manhole construction repair right now,
but he could be doing any number of
things in Utilities,” explained Public
Works Coordinator Dave Goergen.
“Right now, his focus is on underground
construction, but he could be running
the sewer jetter or televising truck or
doing something with lift stations.”
Prior to beginning with the City of Edina,
Thomason worked in Public Works at the
City of New Hope for seven years and
before that he worked in heavy highway
construction. Through these previous
roles, he’s learned his craft and how to
be adaptable in the field.
“The work is always different and it’s different from city to city, so you’re trying to learn as you go a lot of times,” said Thomason. “I’ve been in the utility field for seven years, so I really enjoy it, though, and the guys I work with are a lot of fun. They’re hard workers and easy going.”
The Utilities Division, like many areas
in Public Works, is highly visible to the
public. Residents can see staff as they’re
working on manholes or catch basins,
but Thomason enjoys interacting with
curious residents.
“People see us quite a bit; we’re always
out in the open doing our work. We’ll get
people wondering what we’re doing and
what the scope of the project is and a lot
of times it’ll be kids who will come out
and want to see the big machinery,” said
Thomason. “Right now, we basically have
a four-man crew on the projects – three
full-time staffers and a seasonal – so we
just keep moving. Utilities handles water
and sewer. It’s a lot, but it gets done.”
Thomason brings more than just experience to the team. His attitude and approach is well suited to the Utilities Division.
“We have a spirited utility crew and Mike
is very calm. He’s pleasant and really just
rolls with the punches. When we were
interviewing, it was very clear that he
was just a great fit,” said Goergen. “We
are really excited to have him on board
and look forward to working with him in
the future.”
To learn more about the Utilities Division visit EdinaMN.gov/350/Utilities-Division.
Meet the Public Works Staff: Mike Thomason
By Krystal Caron