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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicWorksPipelineLate2019Your Drinking Water Is Certified Safe PipelinePUBLIC WORKS Monitoring done on Edina’s drinking water last year shows that it is safe. The City’s goal is to provide residents with water that surpasses both state and federal requirements for safety and quality. This year’s report shows Edina water surpasses regulatory standards on all counts. Read the detailed report, which includes test results on all contaminants deemed by the Minnesota Department of Health to pose a risk, at the end of this issue. Morningside Neighborhood residents who receive their water from the City of Minneapolis will find information detailing the quality of Minneapolis’ water as well. Also, in the 2019 Quality of Life Survey conducted by the National Research Center, about 7 in 10 residents gave excellent or good reviews to the overall quality of drinking water in Edina. This rating has remained stable since 2015 and is similar to both the national and Minnesota average. For more information, contact Edina Public Works at 952-826-0375. France Avenue Bridge To Reopen In Mid-JulySee page 7 Neighborhood Street ReconstructionSee page 8 2 Treat Ash Trees Right Away To Save Them from Deadly Pest 2 By Debbie Townsend Emerald Ash Borer threatens an estimated 50,000 trees in Edina 3 If there’s an ash tree in your yard that you plan to keep, make sure it’s treated as soon as possible. The larvae of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle has started to kill ash trees in Edina as it makes its way across the United States, devastating the tree species. When it was discovered in Edina in spring 2018, more than 50,000 ash trees in the city were suddenly at risk. The larvae tunnel into a tree’s inner bark, destroy key tissue and disrupt the tree’s ability to transport water, nutrients and sugars. Death is almost certain unless a tree is treated. “May, June and July are the best months to have your tree treated,” said City Forester Luther Overholt. If that’s not possible, he still recommends treatment this summer. People with ash trees on their properties should contact an arborist or tree care company for an evaluation and treatment options, he said. The City doesn’t provide these services on private property. Chemical treatments must be done every two to three years to keep the tree alive. While stores sell treatments that can be spread on the ground, Overholt discourages their use because they contaminate the surrounding soil, can spread into groundwater or nearby drainages and can harm pollinators. Arborists inject trees directly to treat them. The other option is to cut the tree down. It’s a disappointing solution, but for the last two Arbor Day celebrations, Overholt has demonstrated how to prepare for it. He has invited the public to help him plant other trees near mature ash trees. This April, nine new trees were planted at Countryside Park. “That way, they benefit from the shade from the ash trees for the next couple of years until the ash trees eventually end up dying,” Overholt said. “The new replacement trees have a greater chance at surviving and growing to be big just like the ash trees they’re replacing.” Property owners can follow the same strategy. However, make sure to remove an ash tree before it becomes a danger. An infected ash tree can fall and harm people or property. The City updated its tree ordinances earlier this year to make sure staff has the authority to deal with any problem trees. Ash trees in prominent places on City property, such as in key areas of parks and along scenic boulevards, are being treated instead of removed. While treatment isn’t a guarantee the trees will survive Emerald Ash Borer, they most likely will. “Treatment is a commitment,” Overholt said. “You have to keep doing it, and it can be expensive.” The one option property owners don’t have is to ignore their ash trees. Once the infestation has reached a certain point, a tree will die. The insect already has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America, according to the Emerald Ash Borer Information Network. Learn more about the pest, how to identify your trees and treatment options by visiting emeraldashborer.info or Hennepin.us/ashtrees. “May, June and July are the best months to have your tree treated,” said City Forester Luther Overholt. If that’s not possible, he still recommends treatment this summer. 44 When a water or sewer line breaks, residents’ first call should be to Edina Public Works. Crews will come out, diagnose the problem and determine the source. That’s sometimes when homeowners get the bad news. The City is responsible only for its portion of water and sewer lines. On water lines, the City’s responsibility ends at the curb stop, usually 5 to 15 feet from the street. For sewer, it ends at the main, a much longer distance from a home. If the break is not on the City’s portion, the repair and cleanup become the homeowner’s responsibility. Depending on the break, that could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. “We typically find out if they have insurance coverage when we go out to troubleshoot the problem,” said Public Works Coordinator Dave Georgen. If they don’t, the news can be shocking. While many homeowner insurance policies cover such breaks, some do not. To help homeowners avoid a whopping bill, the City Council in 2016 signed an endorsement agreement with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA), a company that specializes in utility line insurance. Nearly 3,000 Edina homeowners have signed up for an SLWA warranty for water or sewer lines or for both. More than 4,000 policies were in effect as of May 1, according to Jennifer Montanaro, a senior account manager for the company. Questions about coverage options, limits and how the process works are referred to SLWA. Montanaro says callers often ask about what they are responsible for in terms of their lines. Some confusion arises every few months when SLWA sends out letters to Edina residents who haven’t enrolled in all the available coverage. The letters contain the City seal and note that SLWA has been endorsed by the City of Edina. That was part of the agreement in bringing the warranty program to Edina, but that is the extent of the City’s involvement. SLWA is a private company. The City doesn’t administer the warranty program. The current prices for coverage are $5.33 a month for external water line warranty, $7.33 a month for external sewer line warranty and $6.58 a month for the in-home plumbing warranty. To learn more about SLWA, visit slwofa.com or call 1-866-922-9006. Report water or sewer line breaks to Public Works by calling 952-826-0375. The warranty program is entirely optional. Public Works responds to about 50 to 60 water line breaks per year and a handful of sewer line breaks. It’s unclear how many more occur but aren’t reported to the City because they are entirely on private property. Tree roots or ground shifts are among the common causes of line breaks. Utility Warranty Program Can Help Homeowners Avoid Costly Repairs 55 4-6 a.m.Best time to water? 1 inch of water per week. Lawns need 10-15 minutes, every other day. Water for BY THE NUMBERS Lawn Watering Homes with even-numbered addresses may water their lawns before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on even- numbered dates. Homes with odd-numbered addresses may water before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on odd-numbered dates. For more information, contact Public Works Coordinator Dave Goergen at 952-826-0312 or dgoergen@EdinaMN.gov. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.Watering is prohibited between 6 Why is my drinking water discolored? Edina’s water is sometimes discolored. Iron particles in the City’s water can cause discoloration from very light yellow to orange to a reddish brown. It takes very small quantities of iron particles to cause these variations in color. It can look like a lot, but it’s not. The City chemically treats all municipal supply wells and 11 of 18 are additionally filtered for iron and manganese (naturally occurring elements) removal. The seven unfiltered wells are used during summer as demand increases. Because of this, there may be times when you notice yellow or reddish discoloration from iron. While the water is safe to drink, a taste or odor may be noticed. Running your cold water for a minute or two will typically allow the water to clear. I used to get a postcard telling me when you’re flushing the hydrants, but I don’t get it anymore. How am I going to know when you are flushing? Mass mailing costs are high. To save money, information is published in Edition: Edina, on Edina TV, and online at EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks. You can also call the Utilities Division at 952-826-0375. Hydrant Flushing takes two weeks. Spring Flushing occurs: East of Minnesota Highway 100 during the last week of April. West of Minnesota Highway 100 during the first week of May. Fall Flushing occurs: East of Minnesota Highway 100 during the second week of September. West of Minnesota Highway 100 during the third week of September. What is the hardness of Edina water and what level should I set my water softener to? Edina water has approximately 18 grains of hardness. The Utilities Division of the Public Works Department recommends setting your softener to obtain 3 to 4 grains of hardness. My sewer is backing up! What do I do? If you experience a sewer backup, call the City immediately at 952-826-0375. After 3:30 p.m. weekdays or on weekends or holidays, call the Edina Police Department’s non-emergency number, 952-826-1610, and they will dispatch help immediately. Calling us first doesn’t cost you anything and we might be able to help you resolve the problem before a plumber is required. City crews will check the sewer main in the street to make sure it is running properly. If the blockage is within your service line, a City employee will instruct you on what to do next. Is ‘biodegradable’ material ‘flushable’ material? There are only three things that should be flushed down a toilet. These are toilet paper, urine and feces. When grease, paper towels, wipes, rags, diapers or other “sanitary” items are flushed into the sanitary system, they create clogs, which in turn cause sewer backups. For further information, please read the full story on Page 12. – Compiled by Susan Waack Frequently Asked Questions If you experience a sewer backup, call the City immediately at 952-826-0375. 6 7 Pedestrians, bikers and drivers can look forward to a refurbished France Avenue bridge over Minnesota Highway 62 in the next couple weeks, along with many other improvements. “Like other major road projects we’ve experienced over the years, the short- term inconvenience must be endured in order to receive the long-term benefits the project will provide,” said Transportation Planner Andrew Scipioni, who serves as City liaison for the Minnesota Department of Transportation project. The $4.3 million project started in April. Once complete in mid-July, the bridge will have a new deck, improved pavement, a new traffic signal, accessible sidewalks and a lengthened ramp to eastbound Highway 62. Drivers will also notice a smoother ride, improved traffic flow and better accessibility for pedestrians. “People are definitely going to notice an improvement over what was there,” said Scipioni. “We know this has been an inconvenience, but we’ve appreciated everyone’s patience.” For more information, contact Scipioni at 952-826-0440. France Avenue Bridge To Reopen In Mid-July By Kaylin Eidsness Several important street reconstruction projects are taking place in Edina neighborhoods this summer and fall. Although often accompanied by temporary inconveniences to residents, these improvements are critical to maintaining high-quality road infrastructure, and the City carefully considers each project’s necessity before its commencement. “Most streets that we’re reconstructing were built in the 1950s-60s, so many are at 60 or 70 years of lifespan,” said Assistant City Engineer Aaron Ditzler. The pavement conditions of a quarter of Edina’s roads are documented annually. Ditzler explained that when the condition and quality of streets fall below acceptable standards, they are added to the reconstruction planning process. The primary current projects underway this summer include Chowen Park A and B, Indian Trails B and C, Indian Hills C and Todd Park E. Chowen Park A and B and Todd Park E project areas include storm and sewer improvements using alternative pipe materials—high- density polyethylene (HDPE) and high- density polypropylene (HDPP)—in the place of reinforced concrete. These newer materials are more cost effective and more environmentally friendly by being recyclable. In addition, Ditzler said that recyclable products are used in manufacturing these products, thus reducing the carbon footprint. Interesting to note is that the Todd Park E project will include reconstructing the City’s last gravel streets, Brookside Terrace and Motor Street. (Some gravel alleys will still remain.) Construction operations on these projects should be completed by October. The City is also reconstructing parts of the Interlachen Boulevard and Vernon Avenue intersection that will include pedestrian improvements per the City’s Comprehensive Plan and new watermain installation for better distribution and fire protection in the Grandview District. In addition, the City is repairing some sidewalks on Valley View Road and Lincoln Drive, and another project scheduled to begin this fall is installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Wooddale Avenue and Valley View Road to improve traffic and pedestrian flow. Residents can expect periodic closures of roads, sidewalks and/ or trails, as well as some other minor inconveniences typically associated with any reconstruction project, but new and improved roads and sewer systems have been designed to be well worth the hassle. For more information regarding this year’s street reconstruction and sidewalk projects, visit EdinaMN.gov/Engineering. CITY STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS in Progress Street improvements are critical to maintaining high-quality road infrastructure, and the City carefully considers each project’s necessity before its commencement. 8 By Danielle Boschee 1 16 6915 6917 6505 6821 6907 6911 6725 14 78 42 7137 7108 17 33 25 6808 7100 6804 7135 6817 6813 12 7104 6817 6900 6940 6805 6904 7133 6909 7021 6905 6908 7005-07 6912 6906 6915 7009-11 6916 6800 6801 6825 6829 7013-15 6901 7021-23 6920 6817 6901 6509 6919 7013 6910 6815 6821 6808 7009 6833 6813 6913 7017 6905 6812 6612 6904 6609 6909 6809 6804 6800 6837 6813 6921 7033 6504 7136 7132 6608 6905 7005 7033 6908 6713 7143 6500 6717 7149 6804 6801 6604 6820 6800 6709 6712 6701 6808 6804 6816 6909 6832 6824 6916 7013 7025 7141 7001 7147 6901 6828 7037 6917 6716 7142 6913 6841 6845 6700 6800 6705 7138 6902 6708 7145 6709 7028 7021 6809 7140 6809 6704 6921 6836 6914 7005 6912 6625 7136 7017 7025 6812 6801 7134 6805 7029 6808 66136617662170037000 6805 7009 7024 7016 7 1 44 6900 7019 7004 7020 7008 6923 7017 7012 6812 7001 714 66903 7025 7027 COMANCHE CTS H AW N E E C IR PAIUTE CIR SALLY LNPAIUTE DRBELLO DR PROJECT LIMITS DAKOTA TRLVA LLE Y VIE W R DOVERHOLT PASSPAIUTE PASS PAIUTE DR VALLEY VIEW RD SIOUX TRL SALLY LNIROQUOIS CIR +¡ / Engineering DeptDecember 2018 2019 Project AreaIndian Trails B and C NeighborhoodRoadway ReconstructionImprovement No. BA-452CITYOFEDINAMINNESOTAINCORPORATED1888 , e CITY STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS MPCA Photos1 Indian Trails B and C Project manager: Engineering Technician Drew Torgerson, 952-826-0444 • Bello Drive, Comanche Court, Overholt Pass, Paiute Circle, Paiute Drive, Paiute Pass, Sally Lane, Shawnee Circle • Removal and replacement of the bituminous roadway surfaces • Partial improvements to the watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewer • A mix of all new and spot concrete curb and gutter repairs 9 10 6716 6601 6609 6704 6705 6605 6816 6600 6600 6621 6620 6308 6713 6625 6616 66326624 6709 6716 6604 6620 6800 6200 6608 6612 6528 6712 6608 6216 6628 67016204 6608 6709 6616 6215 6720 6633 6613 6537 6713 6612 6212 6600 6605 6705 6732 6528 6705 6208 6721 6520 6525 6524 6724 6728 6521 6772 6709 6717 6524 6629 6613 6604 6713 6621 6625 6605 6201 6602 6517 6606 6521 6209 6717 6609 6525 6205 6617 6609 6201 6225 65266213 6803 62056217620962216533 6701 PROJECT LIMITS GLEASON TER ST ALBANS CIR GLE AS ON RDVALLEY VIEW RD / Engineering DeptApril 2018 2019 Project AreaIndian Hills C Neighborhood Roadway ReconstructionImprovement No. BA-455CITYOFEDINAMINNESOTAINCORPORATED 1888 , e Project manager: Engineering Technician Derek Northenscold, 952-826-0448 • Brookside Terrace, Motor Street • Installation of bituminous roadway surface • Partial improvements to the watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewer • All new concrete curb and gutter • Removal of sediment from Minnehaha Creek Project manager: Engineering Technician Drew Torgerson, 952-826-0444 • Gleason Terrace, Saint Albans Circle • Removal and replacement of the bituminous roadway surfaces • Partial improvements to the watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewer • Spot concrete curb and gutter repairs 4380 4350 4359 4386 4351 5101 4377 4412 5107 5225 4367 4369 4373 4416 4401 4404-08 4373 4371 4375 4355 4375 4504 5131 4381 4429 4425 5135 51164508 4366 5139 4385 4383 51204500 4505 4374 4372 4417 4421 4384 4413 4425 4401 5243 4368 4370 4376 4378 4501 4380 5010 4425BROOKSIDE AVEW 44TH ST BROOKSIDE CT BROOKSIDE TERRMOTOR ST PROJECT LIMITS PROJECT LIMITS City of Saint Louis Park City of Edina / Engineering DeptApril 2018 2019 Project AreaTodd Park E NeighborhoodRoadway ReconstructionImprovement No. BA-454CITYOFEDINAMINNESOTAINCORPORATED1888 , e Todd Park EIndian Hills C2 3 10 11 Project manager: Engineering Technician Derek Northenscold, 952-826-0448 • Abbott, Beard, Chowen, Drew, Ewing, York and Zenith Avenues, and West 59th Street • Removal and replacement of the bituminous roadway surfaces • Installation of bituminous pavement on existing gravel alleys • Installation of new concrete curb and gutters • Full replacement of all watermain and water services • Improvements to sanitary sewer and storm sewer • The project also includes a new concrete sidewalk on the east side of Beard Avenue between West 58th and West 60th streets 5920 5845 5913 5841 5909 5825 5833 5845 5828 5908 5805 5920 5908 59215920 5845 5921 5844 5901 5925 5845 58045805 33045805 5817 5732 6001 5809 5728 5837 5905 5732 58085813 5833 5725 5800 6005-07 3219 5740 6021 5804 5836 5833 5812 5829 5840 5913 5924 5909 5829 5828 5908 3813-15 5928 6020 6000 5924 5916 5837 5836 5912 5901 32056001 5932 6001 5929 5725 6008 6004 5933 5933 6005 6000 6009 60006000 6008 6000 5924 5801 5728 6001 5729 3201 5917 5828 5737 5733 5925 5917 5821 5920 6005 6008 5729 5925 6000 6012 5928 5728 6008 5928 6004 6000 6004 6001 6009 5724 5924 6009 5921 6005 5737 5925 5805 6004 6021 3808 5737 6008 5733 5736 5721 6004 5929 5733 5929 6004 31136005 6009 5908 5736 5925 5820 5933 5733 5732 6008 5733 5924 5740 5925 5929 5824 57295728 5725 5729 5829 5820 5916 5821 5732 5729 5736 5813 5932 5732 5737 5832 5917 5909 5932 5741 5916 5832 5900 5828 5908 5900 5833 5908 5901 5825 5724 5933 5825 5908 5945 5904 5928 5829 5900 5741 5901 5725 5824 5916 5724 5824 5905 5909 5917 5904 5829 5733 5813 6005 6009 5909 5836 5905 5724 5912 5812 5904 5912 5921 5912 5808 58285829 5809 5812 5913 5732 5728 5812 5913 5836 5808 5816 5728 5816 5913 5825 5936 5833 5720 5837 5808 5821 5920 5820 5824 5832 5832 5817 5824 5833 5924 5913 5836 58255825 5804 5829 5816 5921 5920 5817 5736 5732 5808 5816 5828 5821 5812 5809 5729 5820 5736 5909 572157245724 5728 5818 5809 5805 5733 5728 5725 5921 5800 5733 5732 31055932 5928 34005725 3200310033005800 5805 33165800 341632165812 5932 5729 31165933 5801 5916 31115904 58045805 5817 5917 5900 5929 5804 5901 5928 5932 5925 5924 5905 5821 5809 5912 5816 5908 5801 5821 5808 5813 5916 320458005800 5916 5812 58015801 5913 5817 5904 5933 5821 5828 5824 5905 5816 32085809 5929 5920 5917 5909 5801 5921 5812 5905 5813 5904 34045837 5800 5805 5929 5820 5824 5844 5825 5836 5817 5900 5801 5813 5904 5820 5808 5840 5820 5933 5925 31125917 5816 5828 5905 33085928 5809 5817 5800 5836 5808 31045832 5924 5837 5917 5817 5837 5801 5813 5821 58415841 59005901 5825 5829 5916 5901 5840 340833125848 5912 5836 5844 5832 34125913 5845 5841 5912 5809 58045804 59205921 58325832 5824 31085900 5909 32125833 5912 5844 5837 5744 57365740 5848 59045901 PROJECT LIMITS W 58TH ST FRANCE AVEW 59TH ST W 60TH STEWING AVEDREW AVECHOWEN AVEBEARD AVEABBOTT AVEZENITH AVEYORK AVEXERXES AVE/ Engineering DeptNovember 2018 2019 Project AreaChowen Park A and B Neighborhood Roadway ReconstructionImprovement Nos. BA-451 and A-279CITYOFEDINAMINNESOTAINCORPORATED 1888 , e Chowen Park A and B4 11 12 It’s easy to send something down the garbage disposal or flush a wipe and never think about it again, but City staff wants residents to be aware of the toll it takes on pipes and water treatment. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) accumulate along pipes and in the sewer. In addition, the “flushable” wipes cause blockages and sewer backups. “The FOG stuff has always been an issue around restaurants and malls, but in the last 10-15 years, we’ve started to see it more and more in residential areas,” said Public Works Coordinator Dave Goergen. “I think it’s a generational thing; people think, ‘it’s a garbage disposal, so I can put anything down there and it’ll go away.’” That’s not the case, though. After FOG leave your drain or pipe, it cools and hardens and reduces the size of the pipe until a blockage occurs. It also leads to other solids hanging up and causing blockages. “It catches debris and leads to a plug. Once it gets to the lift stations, it starts to bond to the sides of the well and create a mat on top of the liquid sewage. That will start to gum up the pumps and we’re not able to operate effectively,” said Goergen. “We’ve got two hotspots that we have to address quarterly. It’s a costly problem; between cleaning, biological treatments and lift station maintenance, one restaurant caused $30,000 in expense.” In general, Engineering Services Manager Ross Bintner doesn’t like to see very much waste going down the drain or garbage disposal. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a wastewater treatment plant’s energy consumption is often correlated with the magnitude and type of pollutant load, which can influence the treatment methods and technologies used in a plant. Wastewater treatment plants that have more pollutants use more energy, on average. “It just adds more load, and you’re putting it through another energy- intensive process to filter it out. The more waste we put down the drain, the more resources we have to use,” Bintner said. “Flushable wipes” have also become a growing problem. Wipes are being marketed as flushable, but they are not. According to Goergen, nothing should go down a drain that isn’t waste or toilet paper. Everything else should be put in the garbage. “Toilet paper is engineered to break down in water. The wipes won’t; they stay solid. They have a high tensile strength, so if they catch an imperfection or blockage, they’ll start to build up and block up,” he said. “If they get to the lift stations, they get caught in the pumps and bind them up so they can’t pump anymore and that leads to sewer backups and station failures.” In fact, so-called flushable wipes accounted for the majority of sewer backups in the last two years. Out of eight sewer backups in 2018, six were caused by wipes. Out of 12 in 2017, nine were caused by wipes. Flushing a wipe can cause backups for an entire neighborhood. “Be a good neighbor; be a good steward. No one wants to deal with sewage, but if everyone does their part, the system will run clean and lower maintenance costs that ultimately impact utility costs which impacts the residents,” said Goergen. Avoid Treating Drains Like Trash Bins By Krystal Caron Fats, oils and grease have accumulated around pipes in the Southdale area, creating a fatty layer of solids and restricting the flow of water. A Making Safe Drinking Water Your drinking water comes from a groundwater source: 17 wells, ranging from 381 to 1080 feet deep, that draw water from the Prairie Du Chien-Jordan, Mt. Simon and Jordan aquifers. Edina works hard to provide you with safe and reliable drinking water that meets federal and state water quality requirements. The purpose of this report is to provide you with information on your drinking water and how to protect our precious water resources. Contact 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 that tap water is safe to drink for most people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the amount of certain contaminants in bottled water. Bottled water must provide the same public health protection as public tap water. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. Edina Monitoring Results This report contains our monitoring results from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018. 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 pages show the contaminants we found last year or the most recent time we sampled for that contaminant. They also show the levels of those contaminants and the Environmental Protection Agency’s limits. Substances that we tested for but did not find are not included in the tables. We sample for some contaminants less than once a year because their levels in water are not expected to change from year to year. If we found any of these contaminants the last time we sampled for them, we included them in the tables with the detection date. We may have done additional monitoring for contaminants that are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act. To request a copy of these results, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Definitions AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. EPA: Environmental Protection Agency MCL (Maximum contaminant level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. MCLG (Maximum contaminant level goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. 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 2018 City of Edina Drinking Water Report A BB 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 Limit (MCL)EPA’s Ideal Goal (MCLG) Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Violation Typical Sources Copper (08/04/18)90% of homes less than 1.3 ppm 0 ppm 0.77 ppm 1 out of 30 NO Corrosion of household plumbing. Lead (08/04/18)90% of homes less than 15 ppb 0 ppb 0 ppb 1 out of 30 NO Corrosion of household plumbing. Monitoring Results - Regulated Substances 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 5.5 ppb 3.30 - 5.50 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA)60 ppb N/A 2.5 ppb 0.00 - 2.50 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. Total Chlorine 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 1.37 ppm 1.18 - 1.65 ppm NO Water additive used to control microbes. Total HAA refers to HAA5 C 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 0.54 - 0.77 ppm NO Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive to promote strong teeth. Potential Health Effects and Corrective Actions (If Applicable) Copper: Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s disease should consult their personal doctor. Fluoride: If your drinking water fluoride levels are below the optimal concentration range of 0.7 to 1.2 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: MDH Drinking Water Fluoridation (http://www.health.state.mn.us/ divs/eh/water/com/fluoride/index.html). Lead: Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. 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 Gross Alpha 15.4 pCi/l 0 pCi/l 11.6 pCi/l 6.2 - 14.0 pCi/l NO Erosion of natural deposits. Arsenic 10.4 ppb 0 ppb 1.29 ppb N/A NO Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes. Picloram 500 ppb 500 ppb 0.11 ppb 0.00 - 0.12 ppb NO Herbicide runoff. cis-1,2-Dichloroethene (cis-1,2-dichloroethylene) 70 ppb 70 ppb 2.7 ppb 0.00 - 2.70 ppb NO Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories. trans-1,2-Dichloroethene (trans-1,2-dichloroethylene) 100 ppb 100 ppb 0.13 ppb N/A NO Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories. Vinyl chloride 2 ppb 0 ppb 0.21 ppb N/A NO Leaching from PVC piping; Discharge from plastics factories. Trichloroethylene (TCE)5 ppb 0 ppb 0.15 ppb N/A NO Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories. Combined Radium 5.4 pCi/l 0 pCi/l 4.1 pCi/l 3.8 - 5.2 pCi/l NO Erosion of natural deposits. Barium 2 ppm 2 ppm 0.21 ppm 0.1290 - 0.210 ppm NO Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits. C DD Monitoring Results – Unregulated Substances In addition to testing drinking water for contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we sometimes also monitor for contaminants that are not regulated. Unregulated contaminants do not have legal limits for drinking water. Detection alone of a regulated or unregulated contaminant should not cause concern. The meaning of a detection should be determined considering current health effects information. We are often still learning about the health effects, so this information can change over time. The following table shows the unregulated contaminants we detected last year, as well as human-health based guidance values for comparison, where available. The comparison values are based only on potential health impacts and do not consider our ability to measure contaminants at very low concentrations or the cost and technology of prevention and/or treatment. They may be set at levels that are costly, challenging or impossible for water systems to meet (for example, large-scale treatment technology may not exist for a given contaminant). A person drinking water with a contaminant at or below the comparison value would be at little or no risk for harmful health effects. If the level of a contaminant is above the comparison value, people of a certain age or with special health conditions – like pregnant women, infants, children, elderly and people with impaired immunity – may need to take extra precautions. Because these contaminants are unregulated, EPA and MDH require no particular action based on detection of an unregulated contaminant. We are notifying you of the unregulated contaminants we have detected as a public education opportunity. More information is available on MDH’s A-Z List of Contaminants in Water (https:// www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/contaminants/ index.html) and Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) (https://www.health.state.mn.us/ communities/environment/water/com/ ucmr4.html). Some People Are More Vulnerable to Contaminants in Drinking Water Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as 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. UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water. Contaminant Comparison Value Highest Average Result or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Manganese 100 ppb 48.6 ppb 6.95 - 66.60 ppb Group of 6 Haloacetic Acids (HAA6Br)N/A 0.69 ppb 0.00 - 1.46 ppb Group of 9 Haloacetic Acids (HAA9)N/A 1.55 ppb 0.25 - 2.83 ppb Sodium*20 ppm 26.3 ppm 5.05 - 26.30 ppm Sulfate 500 ppm 34.8 ppm 6.44 - 34.80 ppm *Note that home water softening can increase the level of sodium in your water. E This report is issued to educate you about the quality of drinking water that the City of Minneapolis produced in 2018. We take pride in the water we provide to our residents. We are happy to report that no contaminants were detected at levels that violated federal drinking water standards during 2018. Attention: If you want help translating this information, call 952-826-0375. TTY: 612-673-2626 The City of Minneapolis is issuing the results of monitoring done on its drinking water for the period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018. The purpose of this report is to advance consumers’ understanding of drinking water and heighten awareness of the need to protect precious water resources. Making Safe Drinking Water Your drinking water comes from a surface water source: surface water drawn from Mississippi River. Call 612-673-3000 or 311 if you have questions about Minneapolis’s drinking water. You can also ask for information about how you can take part in decisions that may affect water quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets safe drinking water standards. These standards limit the amounts of specific contaminants allowed in drinking water. This ensures that tap water is safe to drink for most people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the amount of certain contaminants in bottled water. Minneapolis Monitoring Results This report contains our monitoring results from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018. 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. No contaminants were detected at levels that violated federal drinking water standards. However, some contaminants were detected in trace amounts that were below legal limits. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or 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/communities/ environment/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 that we tested for but did not find are not included in the tables. We sample for some contaminants less than once a year because their levels in water are not expected to change from year to year. If we found any of these contaminants the last time we sampled for them, we included them in the tables with the detection date. We may have done additional monitoring for contaminants that are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act. To request a copy of these results, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Definitions AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. EPA: Environmental Protection Agency MCL (Maximum contaminant level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. MCLG (Maximum contaminant level goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. 2018 City of Minneapolis Drinking Water Report E F 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. 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. 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 (07/25/18)90% of homes less than 1.3 ppm 0 ppm 0.06 ppm 0 out of 50 NO Corrosion of household plumbing. Lead (07/25/18)90% of homes less than 15 ppb 0 ppb 3.8 ppb 2 out of 50*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 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 0.2 ppm N/A NO Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits. Follow-up testing revealed the source of lead to be localized at the faucet. F G 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 28.7 ppb 6.20 - 45.90 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. Total Chlorine 4.0 ppm 4.0 ppm 3.18 ppm 2.60 - 3.50 ppm NO Water additive used to control microbes. Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)60 ppb N/A 28.4 ppb 1.20 - 42.00 ppb NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection. 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 0.69 ppm 0.64 - 0.75 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 99.5% out of 100%0.35 NTU NO Soil runoff. DISINFECTION BYPRODUCT INDICATOR – Tested in source water and in drinking water. Substance Removal Required Range of Percent Removal Achieved Average of Percent Removal Achieved Violation Typical Sources Total Organic Carbon 25% - 30% Removal Required 52 - 63 59 NO N/A 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. Potential Health Effects and Corrective Actions (If Applicable) Lead: Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Turbidity: Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. G H Monitoring Results – Unregulated Substances In addition to testing drinking water for contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we sometimes also monitor for contaminants that are not regulated. Unregulated contaminants do not have legal limits for drinking water. Detection alone of a regulated or unregulated contaminant should not cause concern. The meaning of a detection should be determined considering current health effects information. We are often still learning about the health effects, so this information can change over time. The following table shows the unregulated contaminants we detected last year, as well as human-health based guidance values for comparison, where available. The comparison values are based only on potential health impacts and do not consider our ability to measure contaminants at very low concentrations or the cost and technology of prevention and/or treatment. They may be set at levels that are costly, challenging or impossible for water systems to meet (for example, large-scale treatment technology may not exist for a given contaminant). A person drinking water with a contaminant at or below the comparison value would be at little or no risk for harmful health effects. If the level of a contaminant is above the comparison value, people of a certain age or with special health conditions – like pregnant women, infants, children, elderly, and people with impaired immunity – may need to take extra precautions. Because these contaminants are unregulated, EPA and MDH require no particular action based on detection of an unregulated contaminant. We are notifying you of the unregulated contaminants we have detected as a public education opportunity. More information is available on MDH’s A-Z List of Contaminants in Water (https:// www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/contaminants/ index.html) and Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) (https://www.health.state.mn.us/ communities/environment/water/com/ ucmr4.html) Some People Are More Vulnerable to Contaminants in Drinking Water Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as 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. UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS – Tested in drinking water. Contaminant Comparison Value Highest Average Result or Highest Single Test Result Range of Detected Test Results Manganese 100 ppb 0.61 ppb 0.00 - 1.31 ppb Group of 6 Haloacetic Acids (HAA6Br)N/A 1.09 ppb 0.00 - 2.73 ppb Group of 9 Haloacetic Acids (HAA9)N/A 20.38 ppb 2.18 - 41.80 ppb H I 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 Minneapolis is protecting your drinking water source(s); • Nearby threats to your drinking water sources; • How easily water and pollution can move from the surface of the land into drinking water sources, based on natural geology and the way wells are constructed. Find your source water assessment at Source Water Assessments (https:// www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/swp/swa) or call 651- 201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 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. Minneapolis 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: https://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. 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: Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program I J (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: Point-of-Use Water Treatment Units for Lead Reduction (https://www. health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/water/factsheet/ poulead.html) Learn more: • Visit Frequently Asked Questions: Lead http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ publicworks/water/WCMSP-188958 • Visit Lead in Drinking Water (https://www.health.state.mn.us/ communities/environment/water/ contaminants/lead.html) • Visit Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water (http://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 Lead Poisoning Prevention: Common Sources (https://www.health.state. mn.us/communities/environment/ lead/sources.html) Enjoy our tap water, but conserve The City has plenty of tap water for everyone to use. However, it’s important to conserve this water whenever possible. The less water you use, the less energy is used and the lower your utility bill will be. You can find links to conservation resources at: https://www.dnr.state. mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/ appropriations/conservation.html SWITCH TO LOW-FLOW PLUMBING Newer toilets can save two gallons or more of water per flush, and low-flow shower heads can use 2.5 fewer gallons per minute than ordinary ones. LEAKS AND DRIPS ADD UP QUICKLY A slow drip from a tap can waste 15 to 20 gallons of water per day, and a leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day. SMARTER APPLIANCES USE LESS WATER When shopping for a new washing machine, pay attention to the “water factor” – the number of gallons of water needed for each cubic foot of laundry. The lower the number, the more water it saves. WASH WISELY Consider how appliances use water. A washing machine takes 27 to 51 gallons per cycle, so make sure you use the right load-size setting. A dishwasher uses 7 to 14 gallons no matter how many dishes are inside, so only run yours when it’s full. LAWN LESSONS A rain gauge can help you determine whether and how much your lawn, garden and trees need to be watered. A good rain can eliminate the need to water for a week. If you do need to water, doing so at night will reduce evaporation. And make sure the sprinkler isn’t watering the streets or sidewalks. J