September 23rd, 2019 
knowtheflow 
Comments Off on Climate Week 2019 Climate week is September 23rd through 28th this year, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is one of many entities nationwide taking action this week! Check out this article from their news release earlier today.
Climate change and our water resources are intimately connected, so it is important for us to be aware of the impacts of climate change to protect these valuable resources. What will you do this week in recognition of climate week?
September 10th, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Upcoming Conversation on Drinking Water Protection with Environmental Initiative Environmental Initiative, “a non-profit that helps develop partnerships and collaborative solutions to Minnesota’s environmental challenges” is hosting conversations around the state in regard to drinking water protection, in hopes of developing a statewide collaborative effort to protect drinking water at its source.
There will be a conversation for the NW metro on Thursday, September 26th from 5:30-8 pm at the Coon Rapids Civic Center (11155 Robinson Drive, Coon Rapids, MN 55433) in the Riverwind 2 room. Dinner will be provided from 5:30-6 pm, so please RSVP here or contact Erin Niehoff at eniehoff@en-in.org.
“The aim of the these conversations is to hear about community successes, challenges, and needs surrounding drinking water protection. The conversation will cover topics related to drinking water and land uses, such as landfills, storage tanks, septic systems, storm water runoff from road and land surfaces, agriculture, mining, forestry, industry and more… The conversation will also guide what the collaborative might look like, what it could accomplish, and who might be involved.”
Learn more about Environmental Initiative here.
Image belongs to Environmental Initiative.
September 9th, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Upcoming Smart Salting Trainings Whether we like it or not, winter is coming! There are several Smart Salting Certification Trainings coming up in September. For more information on any of these events, head over to the Events page and click on the training you want to learn more about or register for.
September 11th – Smart Salting for Parking Lots and Sidewalks Training
September 19th – Smart Salting for Parking Lots and Sidewalks Training
September 26th – Smart Salting for Property Managers Training (NEW!)
September 27th – Smart Salting for Property Managers Training (NEW!)
August 29th, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Met Council Water Efficiency Grant Program The Met Council has announced a new grant program aiming to increase water efficiency in the 7-county metro area!
“The Metropolitan Council will implement a water efficiency grant program effective September 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to municipalities that manage municipal water systems.”
Amount: $2,000 to $50,000
Application due: September 30, 2019
See the Met Council’s funding page for more details, an application, and an example application.
April 21st, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Comments sought on Rum River development variance in St. Francis The DNR is seeking public comments on the City of St. Francis variance to wild and scenic rules applied to Rum River, chapter 6105 .
Within a nearly 500-acre area of land along the Rum River on the City’s north side, the City of St. Francis is proposing to:
Variance to State Rules. The City has petitioned the DNR for the above-referenced variances pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 14.055 and 14.056. The City’s petition requests that DNR grant “discretionary variances” to the above-referenced rules pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 14.055 subdivision 4. The DNR will review the application and consider all comments received in developing a decision.
The City of St. Francis has submitted the following documents as part of the petition:
Comments must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on April 26, 2019.
Email comments to Dan Petrik at daniel.petrik@state.mn.us .
Send written comments to: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Attn: St. Francis Variance – Dan Petrik
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
If you need documents in an alternate format, please contact Dan Petrik at daniel.petrik@state.mn.us.
April 19th, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Well water wise week 3W | May 6-10, 2019 The Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services (CHES) Department, in cooperation with 15 municipalities and county agencies, is sponsoring the 20th annual Well Water Wise (3W) week promotion May 6-10, 2019 to encourage residents to check the safety of their private well water. For information on private well testing go to the Anoka County Environmental Services Well Water Testing webpage or call 763-324-4260.
County residents may pick up a well water test kit at participating city and township offices (listed below) or from Environmental Services, Suite 600 of the Anoka County Government Center, 2100 3rd Avenue in Anoka. Water samples can be submitted to the county’s Environmental Services Unit for analysis every Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon.
DURING 3W WEEK, samples can be submitted Monday through Thursday (8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) and Friday (before noon). The well water testing kit includes details about water collection and submission. A laboratory fee of $30.00 will be charged for coliform bacteria and nitrate-nitrogen analysis.
Unlike public water utilities, private well water is not treated with chlorine to prevent bacteria growth. Simply looking at the appearance of drinking water is not a reliable indicator of whether it is safe to drink. An annual coliform bacteria test is a good way to ensure that your drinking water continues to be free of bacteria.
Nitrate-nitrogen occurs naturally in groundwater and wells at concentrations below one milligram per liter (mg/L). Nitrogen can seep into private wells from a variety of sources including septic systems, nitrogen fertilizers, animal feedlots, and landfills. The Minnesota Department of Health has established a Health Risk Limit (HRL) for nitrate-nitrogen at 10 mg/L. Levels above that point may pose an immediate risk to infants and pregnant women.
The testing of private wells used for drinking water is the responsibility of individual owners. There are an estimated 25,000 private wells in service throughout Anoka County. Only a small percentage of them are tested annually. For more information about well water testing, call the Environmental Services Unit at 763-324-4260.
Pick up a well water testing kit at participating communities and agencies:
April 2nd, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Attention lake residents Fish kill events may provide clues about greater ecosystem-level issues such as fish affected by Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv), water quality degradation, or invasive species.
If you spot a fish kill this spring, please report it to the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center using the link below. Fish kills are fairly common – especially following a severe winter. Most fish kills are natural, and not cause for alarm. Researchers at the University of Minnesota will use the information to learn about fish diseases and ecosystem changes. They may even be able to isolate diseases that affect ONLY invasive carp, which may provide new management tools.
https://www.maisrc.umn.edu/report-fishkills
March 22nd, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Protect your private well from flood contamination 
With the risk of floods increasing in many parts of the state, Minnesota health officials urge private well users to prepare for the possibility that their wells might flood. Taking preventive action now may save well users more trouble down the road.
Wells contaminated with floodwater pose a health risk, but the impact floodwaters have on wells and water quality are often not as visible as other flood damage.
If you think your well might become flooded, store a supply of clean water that will last for at least a few days. Shut off power to the well pump to avoid having floodwater pumped into your plumbing system or home. If you only have a little time before a flood, you can cover the well with a heavy plastic bag or sheeting and secure it with electrical tape. This won’t completely protect your well from contamination, but will help reduce the amount of water and debris that could enter your well.
If floodwater reaches your well, assume your well is contaminated.Water from a contaminated well should not be used for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth until the floodwater recedes and the following steps have been completed:
If floodwater came within 50 feet of your well – but did not reach the well – consider having your well water tested for coliform bacteria as a precaution. You do not need to disinfect your well before having it tested. However, if the test comes back positive for bacteria, the well needs to be disinfected.
For more information and testing information call the Anoka County Environmental Services at 763-324-4260.
March 20th, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Ramsey drinking water protection plan moving forward A Public Information Meeting was held at Ramsey City Hall (Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 5:30pm) where Part 1 of the amended Ramsey Wellhead Protection Plan was presented to the Public Works Committee.
The City of Ramsey is updating and improving its wellhead protection plan for its water supply wells. The Minnesota Department of Health approved the amendment of Part 1 of the City’s plan. Part 1 (of 2) includes information pertaining to:
A complete copy of the Part 1 plan amendment containing the technical information used to delineate the wellhead protection areas, drinking water supply management areas, and aquifer vulnerability of City wells is available at Ramsey City Hall. For more information contact Bruce Westby, Engineer, City of Ramsey at 763-433-9825.
March 15th, 2019 knowtheflow Comments Off on Be prepared for a flood UPDATE 3/15/2019: Record-setting spring flooding is possible across much of Minnesota. But state, local and federal officials are preparing now, cities are bracing for impact, residents should consider buying flood insurance, and everyone should have their fingers crossed for a slow snow melt. Those were the takeaways from Friday afternoon’s flood briefing hosted by HSEM.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Dan Luna said officials are worried about major flooding across “the whole state.” He added that benign weather and a slow snow melt are key to lessening the threat. Govenor Tim Walz praised local officials for planning ahead and urged people not to rely on the weather to help ease any potential threat.
Because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. Flood risk isn’t just based on history, it’s also based on a number of factors: rainfall, river-flow, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to construction and development.
Although many floods are caused by huge storms like hurricanes, more floods occur every day from small, localized events, such as a typical afternoon thunderstorm. No matter where you live, it is important to remember that just a few inches of water in a home can cause thousands of dollars of damage.
Determine your Flood Risk at FloodSmart.gov. Is your property in a high risk or moderate to low risk area? Knowing your flood profile will help you understand your risk of financial loss. Simply enter your property address to see your relative risk, find links to flood maps, and other flood insurance community resources.
Flood maps determine your level of risk. You can also view current flood maps at FEMA’s Map Store. FEMA is producing new digitized flood maps for hundreds of communities. These new maps will reflect changes in floodplains caused by new development and natural forces.
Other Flood Precautions People Should Take
Being FloodSmart includes protecting your property before floods occur. Be sure that major appliances, electric switchboxes, outlets and heating equipment are well above potential flood levels. Install floating drain plugs and sewer system backflow valves to help prevent flood drain overflow.