New and Upcoming Smart Salting Trainings

February 28th, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on New and Upcoming Smart Salting Trainings

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has announced a new type of Smart Salting training, this time for local leaders. In the 90-minute workshop, local decision makers will learn about the impacts of chloride and specific action steps for policy changes that reduce salt pollution in communities. The MPCA also announced upcoming sessions for Parking Lots & Sidewalks, Property Management, and Roads for this spring. Keep reading for details!

Below you will find the dates for upcoming Smart Salting trainings, as well as the intended audience for each type of training and registration link(s). For more information about a particular training, click the registration link for the one you are interested in. For more information about Smart Salting trainings in general, as well as information about how to meet your chloride requirements in the 2020 MS4 permit, check out the bulletin published by the MPCA.

NEW Smart Salting for Local Leaders Workshop

Who:

  • City council members and other elected officials
  • Members of sustainability and environmental commissions
  • Board members of housing associations, neighborhood associations, or watershed districts
  • Other local decision makers

When: Monday, March 7th (click here to register)

Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks

Who:

  • Hands-on public or private winter maintenance staff (e.g., staff at parks, hospitals, or schools)
  • Private winter maintenance contractors and staff
  • Those who hire or supervise winter maintenance staff

When: Thursday, March 24th (click here to register)

Smart Salting for Property Management

Who:

  • Management-level property managers
  • Public and private property owners and managers
  • Environmental professionals
  • MS4 permit staff
  • Public works directors
  • Those who hire or supervise winter maintenance staff

When: Tuesday, April 19th (click here to register)

Smart Salting for Roads

Who:

  • City, county, or state plow drivers
  • Private winter maintenance contractors and staff
  • Those who hire out or supervise winter maintenance professionals

When:

Smart Salting Video

Check out the video below to hear from winter maintenance professionals that continue to maintain a high level of service, but are using less salt as a result of their training!

February Water News

February 23rd, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on February Water News

Even though it is winter, there is still a lot going on in the water world! Below we’ll discuss some recent announcements, publications, and updates. If there are specific newsletters that interest you, be sure to subscribe to them so you never miss an issue!

MN Stormwater News

Last week, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) published the latest edition of their quarterly newsletter, MN Stormwater News. This edition includes lots of good information including updates to the MN Stormwater Manual, tips and training videos, and information about becoming a Minnesota GreenCorps host site (more on that below).

The articles in the Winter 2022 edition of MN Stormwater News are:

  • Construction stormwater inspectors identify top 5 violations in 2021
  • Remember to do winter inspections!
  • City of Apple Valley MS4 training videos
  • MN Stormwater Manual updates
  • Apply to be a Minnesota GreenCorps host site
  • Events

Click here to read the newsletter!

Apply to be a MN GreenCorps Host Site!

The MPCA is accepting applications now through Tuesday, March 22nd at 5:00 pm from organizations interested in hosting a Minnesota GreenCorps member for the 2022-2023 program year. Members serve at organizations throughout the state, completing community-focused environmental projects while gaining experience and learning valuable job skills. MN GreenCorps member projects must align with one of 4 topic areas:

  • Air pollutant reduction;
  • Community readiness and outreach;
  • Green infrastructure improvements; or
  • Waste reduction, recycling, and organics management.

For more information and to apply, see the article in MN Stormwater News, or visit the MPCA MN GreenCorps host sites webpage.

Waterline: Spring 2022

Also published last week was the Spring 2022 edition of The Waterline. The Waterline is a quarterly newsletter published by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for water operators, city officials, and other interested in news related to public water systems in Minnesota. Included in this edition is an important update on the lead and copper rule, along with tips and information on training opportunities.

Below are all of the articles included in this edition of The Waterline:

  • Water Towers: New, Old, and Both
  • John Kriesel to be Keynote Speaker for 2022 Metro Water Operators School
  • Blast from the Past: Waterline Roots
  • Threats Highlight Need for Emphasis on Cybersecurity
  • EPA Finishes Lead and Copper Revision, Plans Improvements
  • Minnesota Water Research Funds Keep Flowing
  • More Training Opportunities: WUTT and Drinking Water Institute
  • Worth Watching: Minneapolis and St. Paul Water Treatment Videos
  • Words to Live By
  • Reminder to All Water Operators
  • Calendar

Click here to read the Spring 2022 edition of The Waterline!

Clean Water Council Update

The Minnesota Clean Water Council, created through the 2006 Clean Water Legacy Act, advises the Legislature and the Governor on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act. The Council sends email updates out every Thursday. On February 17th , their update including items such as a new Smart Salting training for local leaders, a link to the video of the proceedings of the 3rd Annual Ag-Urban Partnership Forum, an update on the Drinking Water Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Initiative, and more. Click here to read the update.

Source Water Protection Grant Announcement

February 22nd, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on Source Water Protection Grant Announcement

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced the next round of Source Water Protection grants. These include:

  • Plan Implementation Grant
  • Noncommunity Transient Grant

See the sections below for more information! Both grants will accept applications from Tuesday, March 1st at 8:00 am until Thursday, March 31st at 4:30 pm.

Plan Implementation Grant

The Plan Implementation Grant is for community and nontransient noncommunity public water systems. This funding is provided to support the implementation of source water protection plans – 1) MDH-approved wellhead protection plans, 2) MDH-approved wellhead protection action plans, 3) MDH-endorsed surface water intake protection plans. The public water system must have one of these plans in order to be eligible.

Key facts:

  • Minimum grant amount: $1,000
  • Maximum grant amount: $10,000
    • Up to $30,000 if 3+ public water systems apply jointly
  • No cost share required

For more information, FAQs, and to apply, visit the Plan Implementation Grant webpage.

Noncommunity Transient Grant

The Noncommunity Transient Grant is for noncommunity transient public water systems. This funding is provided to support measures that address a potential contamination source that presents a high risk to as source of drinking water as determined by MDH. This can be to support work that is identified as a corrective action in a sanitary survey or corrective actions relating to contaminant monitoring.

Key facts:

  • Minimum grant amount: $250
  • Maximum grant amount: $10,000
    • When more than one qualifying noncommunity transient public water system applies under the same request, the amount will be increased by up to $10,000 for each additional system up to $30,000
  • An equal cost share is required

For more information, FAQs, and to apply, visit the Noncommunity Transient Grant webpage.

January 2022 Newsletters

February 4th, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on January 2022 Newsletters

As usual, there were many water-related newsletters and announcements in the month of January. In this post, we’ll talk about just a few. If there are specific newsletters that interest you, be sure to subscribe to them so you never miss an issue!

Water Talk Newsletter

Water Talk, a newsletter issued by the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 4-6 times per year, discusses topics relating to floodplain and shoreland management. In this issue, some interesting topics include the updated MN Model Floodplain Ordinance, information on upcoming trainings from DNR and FEMA, and defining the “Regulatory Floodplain”.

A highlight includes the announcement of water efficiency grants available to cities and townships in the metro area served by a municipal water supply. Applications are being accepted from now until March 31st and municipalities will be notified by April 29th if they have received a grant. The maximum grant amount is $50,000. More information is available here from the Metropolitan Council. This information was also included in the January 27th Metro Update newsletter from the Metropolitan Council.

The articles in the January edition are:

  • NOAA State Climate Summaries – 2022 available
  • Updated MN Model Floodplain Ordinance
  • New FEMA Region 5 Trainings: “Managing Your Community’s Floodplains” Monthly Series
  • What’s the Regulatory Floodplain?
  • Water Efficiency Grants Available to Cities & Townships in the Metro Area
  • New Sample Floodplain Permit Application Forms Available
  • Reminder: Floodplain/Shoreland Winter 2022 Virtual Trainings Continuing
  • FEMA Map Status Listing

Click here to read the full newsletter.

Watershed Health Assessment Framework FAQs

Another DNR newsletter from the Watershed Health Assessment Framework (WHAF) program. The WHAF is “a structured, science-based approach to help resource professionals and citizens work together and grow our common understanding of Minnesota’s complex natural resource systems”. In this issue, DNR staff address some frequently asked questions about watershed health.

Here are the questions answered in the publication:

  • Topic: Climate data and reports
    • What is a Watershed Climate Summary?
    • Where do I find my Watershed Climate Report?
    • What does my Watershed Climate Report tell me?
    • Can I see how climate has changed across all of Minnesota?
  • Topic: Health Scores and Watershed Boundaries
    • What do the colors mean for the different health scores?
    • How do I decide which health scores to explore in my watershed?
    • What do I look for in the Matrix table to help me focus my efforts?

Click here to read the full publication.

Clean Water Council – Gov Budget

The Minnesota Clean Water Council, created through the 2006 Clean Water Legacy Act, advises the Legislature and the Governor on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act. The Council sends email updates out every Thursday. On January 27th, their update included information on Governor Walz’s proposals connected to clean water and drinking water programs included in his supplemental budget request for fiscal year 2022-2023. The update also includes a link to view the full budget proposal online. Click here to read the update and learn more.

Additional Newsletters and Announcements

Other relevant news includes the January 2022 SSTS Bulletin. This newsletter includes subsurface sewage treatment system news and notes. Click here to read the newsletter.

Additionally, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization announced a free online class – Turfgrass Maintenance with Reduced Environmental Impacts. The class will be Tuesday, March 22nd from 8am to 2pm. Click here to learn more.

Potential Biomonitoring of PFAS in Minnesota – Feb. 8th Panel

January 27th, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on Potential Biomonitoring of PFAS in Minnesota – Feb. 8th Panel

The Environmental Health Tracking and Biomonitoring Advisory Panel (Advisory Panel) is convened by the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Environmental Tracking and Biomonitoring programs three times per year. This panel consists of public health and environmental experts that provide recommendations on MDH’s priorities and activities.

A big topic in the water resources sphere currently is the prevalence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), especially as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has been working on their PFAS monitoring plan for the state. At the next Advisory Panel meeting, the experts will discuss PFAS in Minnesota and the potential for MDH PFAS biomonitoring efforts in the future. There will be a time for public comments for anyone who would like to provide input.

All meetings of the Advisory Panel are open to the public and the next meeting will be Tuesday, February 8th from 1:00-3:00 pm. The meeting will be held online via Teams. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to lynn.treadwell@state.mn.us and the meeting login information will be emailed to you.

About the Programs:

MN Tracking “brings environmental public health data together, enabling communities, policymakers and public health professionals to explore relationships between environmental exposures and health effects.”

MN Biomonitoring “measures levels of chemicals in Minnesotans and whether exposures differ between groups and over time. This information is used to promote public health actions to reduce chemical exposures.”

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Announcements

January 26th, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Announcements

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) put out two recent announcements: the final version of the 2021-2031 Watershed Management Plan is now available and the MWMO Executive Director Doug Snyder has announced his retirement.

Over the last two years, the MWMO has been developing their 2021-2031 Watershed Management Plan. Throughout the process, the MWMO solicited feedback from the public, state agencies, and local units of government. The final plan is now available and “sets out goals, strategies, and implementation actions based on past studies and current data on the watershed”.

To learn more about how the plan is used and to read the plan, visit the MWMO’s Watershed Management Plan webpage. You can also subscribe to their email list to be notified in the future about updates relating to the plan.

In other news, the MWMO put out a news release yesterday announcing the retirement of Executive Director Doug Snyder. Kevin Reich, former Board member and chair, has been appointed interim Executive Director and the MWMO will begin the search for a permanent replacement. Click here to read the news release.

The MWMO includes all or part of the Anoka County communities of Columbia Heights, Fridley, and Hilltop. Click here to learn more.

MDH White Paper on the Public Health Evaluation of Stormwater Reuse

January 20th, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on MDH White Paper on the Public Health Evaluation of Stormwater Reuse

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released a public health white paper entitled Reuse of Stormwater and Rainwater in Minnesota: A Public Health Perspective.

Water reuse is defined in the paper as: “The collection, storage, treatment, and use of stormwater, wastewater, and subsurface water. Stormwater reuse is also called ‘capture and use.'” As population increases, our communities become more urbanized, irrigation increases, the climate changes, and industries grow, water reuse will be a progressively important part of managing our water resources here in Minnesota.

Stormwater often contains pathogens that can make people sick. As MDH’s mission is “to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans”, they evaluated the safety of selected Minnesota stormwater reuse systems.

From the Executive Summary of the paper, “This white paper provides guidance on what to consider from a public health perspective when approaching stormwater reuse in Minnesota. It gives an overview of potential health risks from stormwater reuse, presents a quantitative assessment of microbial risk with Minnesota data, and describes a risk-based framework that could be one approach to managing risks.”

Their evaluation demonstrated that pathogens in stormwater have the potential to infect people exposed to untreated stormwater when used for things like irrigation and indoor uses. However, those who design and operate these reuse systems can reduce these potential health risks. The end of the paper outlines recommendations to reduce these risks. Moving forward, MDH will participate in a workgroup that will develop actionable steps and hold conversations with key stakeholders about stormwater reuse, associated risks, and the potential need to manage water reuse in Minnesota. MDH acknowledges that there is a need for more research on pathogens and algal blooms in water reuse systems as well.

Click here to read the white paper.

Figure 1 from the Minnesota Department of Health’s white paper: Reuse of Stormwater and Rainwater in Minnesota: A Public Health Perspective.

Health Risk Limits Rules for Groundwater Public Meeting

January 11th, 2022 Wagner Michael Comments Off on Health Risk Limits Rules for Groundwater Public Meeting

The Health Risk Assessment Unit of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced that they will hold a virtual public meeting on the Health Risk Limit Rules amendments on:

Wednesday, February 2nd from 3-4 pm.

This informational meeting will provide a general overview of the rulemaking process in Minnesota and MDH’s plans for amending the Health Risk Limit Rules, including which groundwater contaminants are included, proposed updates to the Health Risk Limit values, steps in the rulemaking process, an estimated timeline, and information about how to comment on the proposed draft rules/amendments when they become available.

There will also be time for questions and answers at the end of the meeting. This meeting will be held virtually. Please register for the meeting by clicking here and submitting your email address. A link to join the meeting will be emailed to you at least one day in advance of the meeting.

If you have questions about the meeting or for special accommodations, please contact MDH at health.risk@state.mn.us. Please request special accommodations by Friday,  January 21, 2022.

Current information about the Health Risk Limit Rules amendments can be found on the MDH Health Risk Limits Rules for Groundwater webpages.

One week following the meeting, a summary of the meeting will be available here.

Stewardship Fund Grants from MWMO

January 10th, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on Stewardship Fund Grants from MWMO

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) offers Stewardship Fund Grants to support public efforts to manage stormwater, control pollution, and improve water quality and habitat. Two of these grants have upcoming deadlines:

  • Planning Grants – March 11th, 2022
  • Community Grants – April 8th, 2022

If you have a project idea to improve water quality and habitat in your community, join the MWMO for a free, online information session to learn how to apply for a grant and which grant is the best fit for your idea.

There will be two virtual info sessions – one in the evening, and one midday. The info sessions will be the same, so choose whichever one is most convenient for you! Although they are free, you will need to register to get the Zoom link to join.

Visit the MWMO’s Stewardship Fund page for more information.

Photo credit: Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

The MWMO includes part of Fridley, most of Columbia Heights, and all of Hilltop, as well as parts of other cities outside of Anoka County. Click here for a map of the MWMO. Learn about watershed districts and watershed management organizations, as well as which one you live in, here.

Upcoming Smart Salting Trainings – Jan/Feb 2022

January 5th, 2022 knowtheflow Comments Off on Upcoming Smart Salting Trainings – Jan/Feb 2022

There are several Smart Salting Training classes coming up this month and next month. Attend a Smart Salting Training and earn a certification by learning how to maintain safety while reducing infrastructure damage, saving money, and minimizing impact to the environment by reducing salt use. Keep reading for the dates and registration links!

If you are an MS4 permittee, these trainings can apply to your MS4 permit. The 2020 MS4 General Permit includes new requirements aimed at reducing chloride pollution. One way to meet the new requirements is to have your winter maintenance staff, or those you contract for winter maintenance, attend an appropriate MPCA Smart Salting Certification training class. The trainings touch on the new requirements and offers practical and technical information for better application and maintenance practices, salt storage, policy examples, and resources for community outreach.

Visit the MPCA Smart Salting Training website for the training calendar and list of certificate holders. Don’t see a class on the calendar that works for you or have questions about the trainings? Contact the MPCA at smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us.

Watch the MPCA Smart Salting Training for Winter Maintenance Professionals video to hear from maintenance pros that are now using less salt and still offering a high level of service!

Smart Salting for Roads

What: Smart Salting for Roads shows you the essentials of winter maintenance for roads by teaching the technical aspects of calibration, application rates, proactive alternatives to deicing, and using weather conditions to more accurately plan and apply.

Who:

  • City, county, or state plow drivers
  • Private winter maintenance contractors and staff
  • Those who hire out or supervise winter maintenance professionals

When: 8:00 am to 1:30 pm on the following dates:

Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks

What: Learn more efficient winter maintenance practices for parking lots and sidewalks.

Who:

  • Hands-on public or private winter maintenance staff (e.g. staff at parks, hospitals, or colleges)
  • Those who hire or supervise winter maintenance
  • Private contractors
  • Those who may influence others or are interested in making a difference at work

When: 8:00 am to 1:30 pm on the following dates:

Smart Salting for Property Management

What: Learn how to reduce costly indoor and outdoor infrastructure damage to your properties caused by salt use, know if your maintenance crew is using sustainable practices, discuss liability/regulation issues, resources for managing customer expectations, etc.

Who:

  • Management-level property managers
  • Business owners/private contractors
  • Environmental professionals
  • MS4 permit staff
  • Public works directors
  • Local government decision-makers
  • Public and private property owners and managers
  • Those who hire or supervise winter maintenance staff

When: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 9th (registration link)

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