Jim Lundy Named Hydrologist Supervisor at MDH
Jim Lundy is the new hydrologist supervisor in the Source
Water Protection Program at
the Minnesota Department of
Health (MDH) after nine years of
conducting groundwater studies
on various chemicals, including
nitrate and radium, at MDH.
Before that he spent 16 years
in remediation programs at the
Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA).
Originally from LaGrange,
Illinois, Jim received his bachelor’s degree in geology and geography from Gustavus
Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, and his master’s
degree in structural geology from the University of Minnesota. In the 1980s, he was a consulting geologist for an
environmental engineering company and also an exploration
geologist in northern Minnesota.
His travels outside of North America have taken him
to Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Portugal, France,
Belgium, and the Netherlands. Most recently he and his wife,
Sherryl Livingston, a supervisor for the MPCA, visited
their kids, who spent summers working in Alaska (daughter Rose, 19 years old and currently a second-year Badger
at Wisconsin) and Washington, D.C. (son Sean, 22 years
old and an Iowa State Cyclone). The family has no pets
but does sometimes have ants in the kitchen. Jim enjoys
writing for the theater (a musical and a one-act play so far),
camping, photography, and music.
A Makeover in Mora
As the result of a pilot study 10 years ago, the city of Mora
has successfully dealt with disinfection by-products and
rehabilitated its plant. See page 2 for the story.
Water Operator Exam Dates
December 5, Bemidji
December 11, Biwabik
March 6, St. Cloud
March 14, Rochester
April 3, Minneapolis
April 9, Fairmont
May 16, Ely
See calendar on back page for more information
Winter 2013-2014 Volume Twenty-one/6
Inside: Federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act
Compliance Corner
Water Activities at the State Fair
Mora Does More with Less
Mora went from two filters to one with the renovation of its treatment plant. Mora Lake, just north of the treatment plant and
wells, is the subject of a study to determine its connection to the area’s groundwater.
A 2004 pilot study led to both a reduction in disinfection by-products as well
as to a rehabilitated water treatment
plant in Mora, a city of about 3,600
residents in east-central Minnesota,
approximately 70 miles north of Minneapolis and 90 miles southwest of Duluth.
The treatment plant, first built in 1976
and recently rehabilitated, and the three
wells that serve it, are just south of Lake
Mora, which is apparently influencing
the city’s water supply. Organic material
in the water had combined with chorine
in the treatment to produce levels of total
trihalomethanes (TTHM) and haloacetic
acids (HAA5) that exceeded allowable
standards in the early 2000s.
The precursors to these by-products
are normally associated with surface
water, but some ground-water systems
are also affected, particularly those
that are influenced by nearby lakes and
rivers. The treatment plant and two of
its wells are less than a quarter-mile from
Lake Mora (the other is a few blocks
farther south).
Mora water-wastewater superintendent Mike Kroon spoke of “a link to
Lake Mora” with their wells, which are
drilled into glacial drift and range in
depth from 195 to 210 feet. “The static
level in the wells is within 13 feet of
the lake level,” said Kroon, adding that
Gail Haglund, a hydrogeologist with the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
has been exploring how much influence
the lake has on the groundwater as part
of the city’s wellhead protection plan.
“We are seeing a connection,” said
Haglund, who has examined stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen as well as
other water-chemistry parameters. She
said the plan includes quarterly sampling
of the lake and wells over a one-year
period. From this information, she
said, “We can get a better understanding of it.”
Regardless of the reasons for the
organic matter in the water, the city
had to take action to reduce its TTHM
and HAA5 levels. The pilot study by
SEH, Inc. of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, led to a switch to chloramines
as a disinfectant by adding ammonia to
the free chlorine. “The chlorine is tied
up by the ammonia,” said Kroon, “and
the chlorine can’t react to the organics.”
Mora found few utilities in the state
that use chloramines, especially systems
that are similar in type and size. The
city, without others to call on for advice
and counsel, relied heavily on the expertise of John Thom of SEH, Inc. and
MDH district engineer Dave Schultz,
an expert on ammonia. “We asked him
a lot of questions,” Kroon said, “and he
asked us a lot of questions.
“It took up three to four months to
get it under control. Every high-service
pump operates at a different speed. We
had to get the chlorine dialed in and run
one high-service pump for a longer time,
so that they matched.”
“There is a balancing act to get the
right ratio so that the speciation of chloramines is right,” said John Chlebeck, an
2
engineer with SEH, Inc. “Monochloramine is what’s wanted in the system.”
“You want your monochloramine to
equal your total chlorine, so the two are
real close together,” Kroon explained.
“Then you know you are doing all right.
Too much ammonia, and it will start
growing out into the system, so it can
increase algae growth.”
The chemical adjustment began in
late 2005, and the levels of disinfectant
by-products dropped dramatically. The
city has been well within compliance of
the maximum levels allowed for TTHM
and HAA5 ever since.
An Extreme Makeover
In tandem with the change in disinfection came a closer look at the condition
of the water treatment plant, which had
two gravity filters to reduce iron and
manganese.
The filters were in need of attention,
said Kroon. “The metal was getting thin
in one spot, and there were places it had
eaten through. We needed a new filter.”
A visit by the city’s utility commission
provided the final impetus for a rehabilitation of the plant. “They took one
look and said, ‘We’ve seen enough,’”
Kroon said.
The two gravity filters, each with a capacity of 750 gallons per minute (gpm),
were replaced by a 1,000 gpm filter
containing greensand and anthracite.
Kroon said they looked at the city’s water history and decided that a single filter
Mora—Continued on page 4
REGISTRATION FORM FOR UPCOMING SCHOOLS
You may combine fees on one check if more than one person is attending a school; however, please make a copy of this
form for each person. For questions regarding registration, contact Jeanette Boothe at 651-201-4697.
To request an exam application, contact Noel Hansen at 651-201-4690 or Mark Sloan at 651-201-4652.
Northwest School, December 3-5, 2013. Hampton Inn, Bemidji. Fee: $130 ($140 after November 19).
Southeast School, March 12-14, 2014. Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, Rochester. Fee: $135 ($145 after
February 26).
Metro School, April 1-3, 2014. Ramada Plaza, Minneapolis. Fee: $175 ($210 for registration after March 17).
Name
Employer
Address
City
Zip
Day Phone
E-mail Address
Please enclose the appropriate fee. Make check payable to Minnesota AWWA. Mail this form and fee to Drinking
Water Protection Section, Minnesota Department of Health, P. O. Box 64494, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0494.
Reminder to All Water Operators
When submitting water samples for analyses, remember to do the following:
- Take coliform samples on the distribution system, not at the wells or entry points.
- Write the Date Collected, Time Collected, and Collector’s Name on the laboratory request form.
- Write the Sample Point on the laboratory request form.
- Attach the label to each bottle (do not attach labels to the lab form).
- Include laboratory request forms with submitted samples; make sure the information on the bottle label
and the lab form is the same.
- Use something other than a rollerball or gel pen; the ink may run.
- Consult your monitoring plan(s) prior to collecting required compliance samples.
Notify your Minnesota Department of Health district engineer of any e-mail changes for contact people.
If you have questions, call the Minnesota Department of Health contact on the back of all sample instruction forms.
Waterline
Published quarterly by the Drinking Water Protection Section, Minnesota Department of Health
Editor:
Stew Thornley
Staff:
Noel Hansen
Jeanette Boothe
Past issues of the Waterline are available at http://www.health.state.mn.us/water/newsletters.htm
3
Mora—Continued
was all that was needed. The demand
has been 250,000 to 350,000 gallons per
day, and the city has plenty of storage
with a 50,000 gallon clearwell and two
towers—one that holds 500,000 gallons
and the other 150,000.
A revision in the sewer charge that
went into effect in the last 10 years has
promoted conservation. “Residents
now pay a sewer fee on watering use,”
Kroon explained. The city used to base
the sewer charge on water usage in the
winter months. Now it is determined
on the monthly meter reading, causing
usage to drop. “That was our plan to
conserve water. So people don’t water
their yards around here that often. It
costs too much.”
The city also monitors individual
water bills and contacts a customer if the
usage spikes. Someone from the utility
investigates, and Kroon says often a
leaky toilet is the culprit. “Seldom does
it leak for more than a month,” he points
out since the customer usually fixes the
problem quickly.
The plant makeover had to be done
within the footprint of the existing building. Going from two filters to one left
the city with room to reconfigure all the
space. Chlebeck noted that the plant
used to consist of a large open room with
the filters, electrical panel, laboratory,
bathroom, and the meter room. Only the
chlorine was separated from everything
else. “The room was really cluttered,”
Chlebeck said, “and all the chemicals,
with the exception of gas chlorine, were
in there.”
Partition walls now isolate the
filters from the electrical area and
lab as well as chemical and mechanical rooms. In addition, Kroon has an
office rather than a desk amid chaos
and clutter.
The total project took about nine
months, and filters were off-line from
October of 2010 to March of 2011.
Kroon said they continued to add chlorine, switching back to free chlorine,
and fluoride but were without iron-andmanganese removal during this period.
Communication with residents and
business owners paid off as they had
few problems.
Operational costs have gone down
since the plant was completed. Kroon
said the improved efficiency of the
new pumps and controls have reduced
electrical usage along with savings on
chemicals.
The $1.6 million cost for construction and engineering was financed with
a below-market-rate loan through the
Drinking Water Revolving Fund along
with a raise in water rates over a fiveyear period to replenish funds from the
utility’s capital reserves.
Bring in the New Year with a Lead-Free Cheer!
By Dag Moselle and Lih-in Rezania, Minnesota Department of Health
On January 4, 2014, the federal Reduction of Lead in
Drinking Water Act will go into effect, requiring drinking
water system components sold or installed, which include
plumbing in facilities, to meet a weighted average of not more
than 0.25 percent lead (which is considered lead-free). It will
be illegal to install and use any pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing
fitting, or fixture that is not lead-free after the effective date.
All water systems that provide water for human consumption
must use materials, devices, and components that meet the
new lead-free requirement.
The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act revises
the “lead-free” definition in the Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) in Section 1417(d) from a weighted lead content of
8 percent or less, to a weighted average of less than or equal
to 0.25 percent for surfaces in contact with potable water. It
does not change the definition of lead-free for solder or flux,
which remains as containing not more than 0.2 percent lead.
Minnesota Plumbing Code is currently under review by the
Minnesota Plumbing Board for revisions to conform to the
new lead-free definition of the SDWA.
When water-system components, such as meters, are temporarily removed for routine maintenance, these fixtures are
not subject to the new lead-free definition because they will
be returned to the same location with no repair. However, if
fixtures are being installed or repaired, they will be required
to meet the lead-free requirements.
To prepare for complying with the lead-free requirements
in January 2014, it is recommended that water systems remove products that are not lead-free from their inventories,
dispose of these products, or use these items for non-potable
purposes. A draft of frequently asked questions compiled
by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to help assist
and guide the transition to meeting the lead-free standards
is at http://tinyurl.com/l7jsrjf.
Only products complying with the new lead-free requirements shall be used starting January 2014. Products bearing a
certified mark such as NSF-61-G, NSF pw-G, NSF-372, NSF
≤0.25% Lead, and NSF≤ 0.25% Pb are third-party certified
for lead-free compliance.
Be aware that not all American National Standards Institute certification marks will indicate the product is lead-free.
Some certifications will be particular to each third-party
certification body and some will include a text. If at any time
you are unable to determine if a product is lead-free, contact
the manufacturer to confirm the lead content. Detailed information on lead-free, low-lead water products, and product
certifications can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/nbyfbbg and
http://tinyurl.com/kmovaqj.
We appreciate your efforts in reducing the lead content
within our drinking water systems. If you have any additional questions or comments to share, please contact Lih-in
Rezania at 651-201-4661 or Dag Moselle at 651-201-4672.
Target Field Back on Tap for Metro School
A tour of the water treatment facilities at Target Field will be a part of the 2014 Metro District Operators School on
Wednesday, April 2. The tour will be limited to the first 40 attendees who sign up at the beginning of the school, which
will run from April 1-3. This popular tour wasn’t available last year because the Twins were at home during the school. A
registration form for the school itself (not for the Target Field tour, which will require in-person sign-up) is on page 3. More
information on the Metro School is at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/wateroperator/trng/metro.html.
4
Compliance Corner
State Fair Water Taste Test
By Mackenzie Hales
Minnesota Department of Health
30 Hour Holding Time
Total coliform samples should arrive at the lab within 30
hours after sampling. Due to U. S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements and studies pointing to significant
bacteria die-off in water samples between 30 to 48 hours old,
MDH will start upholding this limit on January 1, 2014. After
January 1, all samples received after 30 hours will be rejected
and will need to be recollected.
Community systems have been receiving calls when samples are received over 30 hours after they were taken. Please
continue discussing shipping options with your assigned lab,
and consider using another shipping method if your samples
are consistently late. Proper planning can also help avoid
exceeding the 30-hour limit. Check with local mail service
options about pick-up times, as this may help you plan your
sampling schedule. For example, if the truck comes to pick
up packages at 4 p.m., sample in the early afternoon instead
of in the morning to reduce the amount of time the sample
sits around outside of transport. Thanks for your cooperation!
Repeat Sampling Procedure—Monthly Systems
For monthly systems that have total coliform positives,
please follow the proper repeat sampling procedure. For
monthly systems that have a sample come back positive
for total coliform and negative for E. Coli, the system must
recollect samples within 24 hours after notification. Repeat
samples should be collected at the original positive location,
upstream, downstream, and at a random location. Groundwater systems must also collect repeat samples from all of
the wells that were pumping at the time that the original
positive occurred.
Bruce Wilson, with his family and an unidentified gate crasher
to his right, accepts the trophy for International Falls as the
winner of the Minnesota State Fair People’s Choice Water Taste
Test. International Falls is on a roll, having come in second
in the world-wide taste test at the American Water Works
Association annual conference in Denver in June. Lino Lakes,
International Falls, Maple Grove, and Eagan made the Final
Four with the Falls and Maple Grove going to the finals. The
taste test was held on stage in the Eco Experience building,
next to a new water display unveiled this year by the Minnesota
Department of Health (shown below).
Bacteriological Monitoring and Reporting—Monthly
Systems Submitting Paper Reports
MDH must receive monthly bacteriological/disinfectant
residual reports from systems or labs by the 10th of the following month. For example, the November report must be
received by December 10 at the latest. Systems are responsible for making sure MDH receives the report, meaning that
if you contract with the lab to send the report to MDH, you
are still responsible for making sure it is sent and received.
Electronic delivery is the best way to obtain confirmation.
PDFs can be e-mailed to health.drinkingwateradvisory@
state.mn.us.
The essence of skill is extracting
meaning from everyday experience.
A successful person is the one who
went ahead and did the thing the rest
of us never quite got around to doing.
5
Presort Standard
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 171
St. Paul, MN
Environmental Health Division
625 North Robert Street
P. O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
CALENDAR
Minnesota Section, American Water Works Association
*April 1-3, Metro Water Operators School, Ramada Plaza,
*December 3-5, Northwest Water Operators School,
Minneapolis. Contact Jeanette Boothe, 651-201-4697, or
Hampton Inn, Bemidji. Contact Kris Knutson, 218-299Stew Thornley, 651-201-4655.
5470.
*April 9, Southwest Water Operators School, Fairmont,
*March 12-14, Southeast Water Operators School, Ramada
Contact Jim Jones, 507-387-8522.
Hotel and Conference Center, Rochester. Contact Bob Dunn,
*May 14-16, 2014—Northeast Water Operators School,
507-457-8272.
Grand Ely Lodge. Contact Mark Proulx, 952-240-2023.
Information for all district schools, including agendas:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/water/wateroperator/trng/
schoolagendas.html
Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA)
Contact Kyle Kedrowski, 800-367-6792
*December 11, Operation & Maintenance, Biwabik
*March 4-6, Technical Conference, St. Cloud
MRWA Class E Training
December 12, Cologne
*Includes a water certification exam.
For an up-to-date list of events, see the training calendar on the MDH web site:
http://health.state.mn.us/water/wateroperator/trng/wat_op_sched.html