Regulatory Update
Taking Aim
Vulnerability Assessments
June 30 is the deadline for systems serving a population of
3,301 to 49,999 to complete their vulnerability assessments.
The completed assessments should be mailed to the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not to the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Six months after
submitting the vulnerability assessments, systems must
develop or update an emergency response plan to address
the results of the vulnerability assessment.
Consumer Confidence Reports
All community water systems should have received a copy
of their Consumer Confidence Reports from MDH in early
April. Systems must either add a phone number to the report
provided by MDH or reformat the information into a report
and distribute it to their customers by June 30.
Chlorine Residual Montioring
A reminder that as of the January 1, 2004, all
community and nontransient noncommunity water systems
that chlorinate are required to measure and record the
chlorine residual at the same sampling points and at the same
time that the monthly or quarterly total coliform bacteria
samples are collected.
Minnesota Department of Health certification officer Cindy Cook
aims and fires in a shooting gallery at the product exposition of
the Minnesota Rural Water Association Technical Conference
in St. Cloud in March. Below, Lori Blair and Jeff Dale get a
rare break at the registration counter as more than 1,200
people attended the three-day conference.
Upcoming Certification Exam Dates
June 11, Deerwood
September 8, Preston
October 7, Owatonna
October 13, Redwood Falls
October 27, Biwabik
October 27, Collegeville
See calendar on back page for more details
Summer 2004
Volume Twelve/1
Inside:
New MDH Compliance Officer Renee Anderson
Lambert Creek Diversion
Chaska Water Treatment Plant
School News
Lambert Creek Gets a Diversion
St. Paul Regional Water Services
(SPRWS) supplies drinking water to
approximately 415,000 customers in St.
Paul, Arden Hills, Falcon Heights,
Lauderdale, Little Canada, Maplewood,
Mendota, Mendota Heights, Roseville,
and West St. Paul. The water is safe to
drink, but in the recent past the utility
has had to contend with aesthetic issues
related to unpleasant tastes and odors
caused by algae growth in the lakes that
supply the water system.
The source of St. Paul’s water was
originally Lake Phelan and later was
extended to other lakes north of the city.
In 1925, SPRWS began augmenting its
supply with water from the Mississippi
River. From an intake station in Fridley,
river water is now transported
through two 60-inch-diameter pipes
approximately eight-and-a-half miles to
a lake system connected by conduits and
canals. Vadnais Lake is the farthest
downstream of the system’s three
primary reservoirs (Pleasant Lake and
Sucker Lake being the other two); from
here, the water is conveyed to the utility’s
McCarrons Treatment Plant, six miles
to the south.
The Mississippi River and sediments
in the reservoirs were sources of
nutrients, especially phosphorus, which
promote algae growth. In the 1980s, a
watershed drained by Lambert Creek
Sheet piling was driven for the 500-foot
distribution weir in March.
and emptying into Vadnais Lake was also
identified as a source. The utility has
fought the nutrients with chemicals and
aeration and for the past 10 years has
focused on restoring the wetland. “We
successfully attacked the first two
major sources,” said Dave Schuler, chief
engineer for SPRWS, “the river with
chemical feeds and the sediments with
aeration and chemicals.”
The Lambert Creek project is the
fourth and last of the 10-year wetland
restoration. It essentially consists of a
diversion of the creek, rerouting it into a
system where the water is taken out of
the ditch and put into the wetland. It is
being accomplished with the
construction of a broad-crested weir
along Lambert Creek near Ramsey
County Road F, to the west of I-35E, in
Vadnais Heights.
“We’re taking the water out of the
ditch and providing a big 500-foot weir
with 46 adjustable weir plates,” explained
Schuler last winter as the work was
beginning. “The idea is to get it out of
the ditch and distribute it into the
wetlands, letting the old ditch sediment
back in and providing an overflow
channel for emergencies.
“The current ditch is diagonal from the
northeast corner to the southwest
corner through the wetlands. We’re
going to break it off near County Road
F and run it straight south 1,200 feet into
this combination of pipe and open ditch.
We’ll bring it to a two-acre pond, which
will serve to still the flow, and then the
water will flow through the 500-foot weir
to the wetland.”
2
An overflow channel is in place to
handle excess flow. “It’s a whole new
path,” Schuler added. “It’s redirecting
the ditch flow with a weir in the middle
of it. The weir has a flow splitter that
allows 20 cfs [cubic feet per second] to
go over the weir exclusively. Flows over
20 cfs will flow to the overflow channel
as well as the weir.”
Schuler said they anticipate this
happening only 6 percent of the time.
“Ninety-four percent of the flows will
be sent out to the wetland.”
More than 13,000 yards of
excavation was performed on the
project, 11,000 cubic yards for the pond
and 2,300 cubic yards for the ditch.
Schuler said they had hoped to finish
in March of 2004, and construction was
proceeding as scheduled until warmer
weather in February made the ground
too soft to continue. As a result, the
project will not be completed until the
winter of 2004-05.
Dave Schuler, with SPRWS general
manager Steve Schneider to his left, led a
tour of the Lambert Creek site for state
agency heads and others in March.
Water Quality Problems in Residences
While the federal Safe Drinking Water Act regulates only contaminants with the potential to cause adverse health effects,
other contaminants, such as iron and manganese, can affect the aesthetic quality of water. Often it is these contaminants that
bring the most concern and complaints from residents.
The January 2004 issue of the American Water Works Association Opflow contained an article by John Stubbart, the
AWWA Small Systems Manager, on water quality problems in residences. This is what Stubbart has to say about the issue:
residue from a cleaning product, scale buildup, clogged
aerators, or something else. Areas that are moist with
phosphate residues, such as the dishwasher or
washing machine, can foster bacterial growth, which
may cause pink or black deposits. White water could
be caused by micro-bubbles from dissolved oxygen or
other gases, which will dissipate if left standing in a
glass. If the problem is a fine black residue, see if it
will settle out in your test jar, and try other taps to see if
the problem occurs just in once place or more. By
establishing what areas are affected, common
denominators can be identified.
Next, list what is common to the affected areas: low
light, lack of ventilation, old fixtures, soap or cleaners
used, the fixture surface. Does the problem show up
only on washed clothes or does it appear in standing
water? This will help identify whether the problem is in
the water or in the appliance, tub, or sink.
To truly understand what the problem is, go to the
site and talk to the homeowner making the complaint.
Diagnosing a problem over the telephone is difficult
because the homeowner may give you partial or
incorrect information or may be unable to explain the
problem well enough. For the site inspection, these
basic tools are needed:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Clipboard with paper and pencil
Glass jar to examine water samples
Bucket for large samples or flushing
Sample bags for scale and residue samples
Total coliform sample bags (or whatever you use
for TC samples)
Jar for copper sample
Chlorine test kit
Flashlight
Knife to scrape and collect samples
Cloth towel or paper towels for cleaning
surfaces
Identify the Interior Service LIne
Determine if the problem occurs in hot or cold water,
or both. If only the hot water is affected, take a sample
from the flush-out valve on the bottom of the hot water
heater. If the sample is cloudy or contains particulate
matter, use your bucket to flush the water heater to
see how much residue or buildup exists. Record what
you find. Note if there is very little color or smell in the
heater but a lot at the tap.
If the problem occurs only in cold water, take note
and determine which specific fixtures have the problem.
If it is in both hot and cold systems, the problem likely
is occurring before the tee where the two systems split,
or at the tap itself. Check the aerator for debris and
clogging.
The more you can do on your first visit, the sooner
you will have your answers, which lessens the likelihood
of returning and inconveniencing the customer. When
it comes to these nuisance water quality complaints,
the public relations value in being prepared to find
answers is very valuable. Also, if the problem at one
house is symptomatic of a larger system problem, you
will want to act quickly.
Determine the Affected Area
Determine if just one house has a problem or if nearby
residences are also affected. You should go to
neighboring homes, both adjacent and across the street,
and inquire if they have a problem with their water. If
the problem is a backflow situation or corrosion, one
customer’s complaint might be just the tip of the
iceberg.
By finding out who else in the area is affected, you
will be able to determine the scope of the problem. Hard
water, for example, may cause copper corrosion and
blue water, which would affect a larger portion of the
system than the immediate neighborhood. The
complaint you respond to may be just the first of many.
One person with itchy skin after a shower may be
sensitive to something, but if several people are
experiencing the same symptoms, this could mean a
chemical backflow in the system.
Does the problem affect all fixtures or just one area,
such as a sink, tub, shower, or dishwasher? Isolating
the exact location may determine if the problem is
Consider Home Treatment Systems
Does the residence have a water softener,
membrane treatment unit, or other type of home
treatment unit? Point-of-entry (POE) or point-of-use
(POU) treatment units can cause taste, odor, and
bacteriological problems with the water if not properly
maintained. If the home has a POE or POU unit,
inspect it and ask when it was last serviced and by
whom.
Sample the Offending Material
If applicable and possible, collect a sample of the
offending material, either by scraping it into a baggie or
collecting it in a jar. Use the sample for later analysis if
you cannot find a solution on-site and need to dig further
to find the root of the problem.
Continued on next page
3
Ask the customer if any household products have
been changed, such as laundry soap, shampoo,
cleaners, perfume, or lotions. Sometimes an allergic
reaction will occur when a person is exposed to a
different product. A change in a laundry soap or softener
may affect a family member when he or she uses a
towel after bathing, but the homeowner may suspect
the water.
Once you have determined the scope of the problem,
collected your samples, and identified potential sources,
you can advise the customer. The problem may be in
the customer’s home, and you will have the evidence
to prove it.
Then again, the problem may be in, or from, your
water system. By being prepared and sympathetic to
customers’ concerns and complaints, you may divert
a larger system problem from occurring. By being
responsive and demonstrating a well-thought-out and
professional investigative process, you will better
resolve the problem and gain your customers’
confidence, now and in the future. Remember, your
job is to protect the public health, which sometimes
means using your expertise to help customers in their
homes, not just delivering safe water from the treatment
plant.
Take a copper sample. If the complaint is about color,
smells, or residue from the faucets or in the heater,
take a sample. Follow the protocol for a first-draw
copper sample. With this simple and inexpensive test
you can determine if there is copper corrosion in the
heater or piping and focus your investigation.
Test for total coliform. Take a first-draw sample with
color or residue in it, run a coliform, flush until the water
temperature changes or the color is gone, and then
take another sample. A positive sample(s) will confirm
any biological activity, such as bacteria. If, after flushing
the home system, the water is clean and free of
bacteria, you can then confirm that the water from your
system is clean and chlorinated and the problem lies in
the home system. This test is also simple and
inexpensive.
Sample for chlorine. In conjunction with the coliform
sampling, test for chlorine at the sample site to confirm
the presence or absence of chlorine before and after
flushing. A biological contaminant may be consuming
the chlorine in the water. Knowing the chlorine level,
you will be better able to advise the customer on what
to do while you are investigating the problem, such as
boil the water or run all their taps to flush the system.
This test can be done on-site and is also inexpensive.
Reprinted from Opflow, Vol. 20, No. 1 (January 2004), by permission. Copyright 2004 American Water Works Association.
Waterline
Published quarterly by the Drinking Water Protection Section,
Minnesota Department of Health
New MDH Compliance Officer:
Renee Anderson
Editor: Stew Thornley
Dick Clark
Staff:
Jeanette Boothe
Noel Hansen
To request this document in another format, call
651-215-0700; TDD 651-215-0707 or toll-free through the
Minnesota Relay Service, 1-800-627-3529
(ask for 651-215-0700).
Past issues of the Waterline (in PDF format) are available at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/newsletters.htm
School News
Kevin Lynch
Renee Anderson is the new compliance officer for
the MDH Community Water System program in
Drinking Water Protection, succeeding Pat McKasy,
who moved to California. Hailing from LaCrosse
County in Wisconsin, Renee has worked as a
veterinary technician and an orthodontic assistant,
but she comes to this position after working in the
MDH Public Health Laboratory, analyzing water
samples. Renee has a husband, Aaron.
More than 280 operators came to
the Metro District school in
Bloomington in late March/early April.
One of the highlights was an
appearance by former Minnesota
Gophers basketball star and National
Basketball Association player Kevin
Lynch, who spoke during the operator breakfast on the final morning. The 2005 Metro
District school will be back at the Ramada Airport Inn and Thunderbird Convention Center
in Bloomington from Wednesday, April 6 to Friday, April 8, 2005.
The Northeast District, which held its school at Superior Shores Resort in Two Harbors in
April, announced that its 2005 school will be held in the Two Harbors area from Wednesday,
April 13 to Friday, April 15, 2005.
4
New Chaska Plant Nears Completion
By Robyn Bruggeman
MDH District Engineer
Increased population in the Twin
Once collected in the underdrain, the
Cities metro is placing greater demand
water will be conveyed via a 24-inch pipe
on water supplies and water supply
to a 750,000-gallon clear well. Finished
infrastructure. In response, many
water will be pumped to storage and
communities are expanding their water
distribution using four high-service
systems by digging new wells,
pumps. Filter backwash water will be
constructing additional storage facilities,
settled out with the aid of a polymer and
and building new treatment plants. The
stored in one of three 112,000-gallon
city of Chaska embarked on expanding
tanks. The settled water will then be
its water system in May of 2002 with
recycled to the front of the plant. At the
the installation of two new wells,
end of the day, the plant will have treated
construction of a 1.5-million gallon
12.6 million gallons.
storage tower, and groundbreaking for a
The treatment plant will also have a
new and improved treatment plant.
lobby with an educational display on the
Chaska’s water supply, like many
treatment process. There will be
others, contains high levels of iron and
viewing areas throughout the plant that
moderate levels of manganese. To tackle
allow visitors to observe the filters and
these contaminants, the city hired
filter piping gallery, the high service pump
Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and
room, and the effluent piping.
Associates to design a new treatment
Chaska’s new treatment plant will
plant. The completed plans were bid out
replace a 4.5-million gallon per day
to several construction companies, and
treatment plant built in 1974. The
a contract was awarded to Westra The pipe gallery will be open to viewing by existing plant consists of pressure
visitors from a walkway above.
Construction of Chaska.
aeration using diffuser stones followed
The new treatment process will begin with aeration, using
by pressure filtration and chlorination. With the addition of
two-force draft aerators followed by a baffled detention tank
the new plant, which should be substantially complete by the
and the addition of potassium permanganate. The flow
fall of 2004, the old plant will be abandoned. The city is
pattern through the detention tank will force the water over
exploring alternative uses for the building, and it is also
and under three vertical baffles to provide 20 minutes of
looking to give the pressure filters away to anyone who is
detention. After leaving the detention tank, the water will
willing to take them. There are four filters: two purchased in
continue on to one of six 576-square-foot gravity filter cells.
1972 and two in 1985; all were refurbished in 1997. The
Each cell will contain anthracite and green sand media and
filters are 10 feet in diameter and 40 feet long and have a
will be underlain by a Leopold underdrain with the Leopold
capacity of 900 gallons per minute. They come equipped
Integral Media Support (IMS) cap. The underdrain system
with valves and piping, flow meters, backwashing equipment,
will collect the filtered water in a recovery trough and will
and the aeration system. The filters are located within a
also provide the mechanism for distributing filter backwash
concrete block building and can be removed by knocking out
water and air evenly to the filter. The IMS cap will prevent
the northern wall; the city asks only that the taker pay for the
sand and other particles from penetrating to the finished
reconstruction of the wall and all other removal fees.
water. A filter-aid polymer will be added to the water just
Interested parties may contact water and sewer
prior to filtration.
superintendent Dean Hylland at 952-227-7733.
Construction proceeded through the winter and will be
substantially complete by fall of 2004.
Dean Hylland in front of the existing plant, built in 1974.
5
CALENDAR
Water Operator Training
Minnesota Section, American
Water Works Association
*June 9-11, Central Water Operators
School, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge,
Deerwood. Contact Bill Spain,
320-308-5952.
October 6-8, Annual Conference,
Owatonna. Contact Steve Schneider,
651-266-6274.
*October 7, Southeast Water
Operators School, Owatonna. Contact
Paul Halvorson, 507-292-5193. (This
will be part of the Minnesota AWWA
Annual Conference.)
*October 13, Southwest Water
Operators School, Redwood Falls Area
Community Center, Redwood Falls.
Contact John Blomme, 507-537-7308.
*October 27, Central Water
Operators School, St. John’s University,
Collegeville. Contact Bill Spain,
320-308-5952.
*November 30-December 2,
Northwest Water Operators School,
Courtyard by Marriott, Moorhead.
Contact Stew Thornley, 651-215-0771.
Minnesota Rural Water Association, Contact Kyle Kedrowski, 800-367-6792.
November 18, Cross Connections and
June 2, Operation & Maintenance,
Backflow Prevention, Site to be
Winnebago
June 24, Operation & Maintenance, determined
December 8, Winter Operation &
Isle
July 21, Utility Management Seminar, Maintenance, Slayton
St. Cloud
MRWA Training for
*September 8, Operation &
Non-Municipal Systems
Maintenance, Preston
September 15, Operation &
September 21, Mankato
Maintenance, Monticello
October 26, Stillwater
September 28-20, Water Certification
Preparation, St. Cloud
October 19, Operation & American Water Works
Association Teleconference
Maintenance, Montevideo
November 4, Sustainability,
*October 27, Operation &
Brooklyn Park, St. Paul, Duluth, North
Maintenance, Biwabik
November 3, Winterizing Your Water Mankato, and Grand Forks. Contact
Stew Thornley, 651-215-0771.
System, Mankato
November 4, Winterizing Your Water
System, St. Cloud
Minnesota Municipal
November 9, Securing Financing for Utilities Association,
Small Systems, St. Cloud
Contact Kevin Thompson,
November 10, Securing Financing for 763-551-1230.
Small Systems, Owatonna
October 13-14, Water/Wastewater
Workshop, Marshall.
*Schools/meetings marked with an asterisk include a water certification exam. To be eligible to take a certification exam, applicants must have hands-on operations experience at a drinking water system.
For an up-to-date list of events, see the training calendar on the MDH web site at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/training.htm
MDH Drinking Water Protection web page:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water
Presort Standard
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 171
St. Paul, MN
Environmental Health Division
121 E. 7th Place Suite 220
P. O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED