Waterspot on 2011 Community Water Project – Coon Rapids Rotary

July 28th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Waterspot on 2011 Community Water Project – Coon Rapids Rotary

The Rotary Club of Coon Rapids initiated a public service in their 2011 Community Water Project to foster both water conservation and the prevention of water pollution within the Coon Rapids community. The 2011 Community Water Project brochure SAVE WATER – SAVE MONEY With Easy Ways to Reduce Water Usage at Home is an adaptation of the original brochure. The seeds that local organizations such as the Coon Rapids Rotary have planted are taking root and growing.

Rotary International is a service organization whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are over 34,000 clubs worldwide.

The Coon Rapids Rotary normal meets at 12:15 pm every Monday for lunch at the Bunker Hills Golf Club Restaurant to organize and work on service goals.

What makes Rotary different is its distinct point of view:

  • We see differently: Our multidisciplinary perspective helps us see challenges in unique ways.
  • We think differently: We apply leadership and expertise to social issues—and find unique solutions.
  • We act responsibly: Our passion and perseverance create lasting change.
  • We make a difference at home and around the world: Our members can be found in your community and across the globe.

What does Rotary support?

The Coon Rapids Rotary identifies specific causes to target to maximize their local and global impact. At the same time, we understand that each community has its own unique needs and concerns. Through the club network of resources and partners, Rotary Clubs focus their service efforts in promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies.

Smart irrigation strategies to protect water supply

July 20th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Smart irrigation strategies to protect water supply

Participants at the Anoka County Smart Irrigation Presentation and Forum learned some tricks to keep their property looking great while reducing water use to preserve local natural resources. The depletion of groundwater and lowering of lake levels is a possibility when water use exceeds natural water resources supply. Mick Jost presented the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) Water Conservation Project aimed at industrial water users in the north and east twin cities metro area. Kory Jorgensen (City of Coon Rapids) and Kay Qualley (City of Fridley) discussed the importance to their communities of keeping water use from exceeding local supplies.

Extension Educator for Horticulture Sam Bauer (U of M Lawns and Turfgrass Management Program) and local landscape and irrigation professionals Jeff Latterell (Mickman Brothers) and Jake Mathre (Conserva Irrigation) discussed options to maintain lawn while preserving our local water resources.   Irrigation professionals encourage residents, grounds keepers, businesses, and property managers to upgrade from timer irrigation systems to Smart Irrigation technology that uses rain or soil moisture sensors to determine if watering grass/turf is needed. Bauer presented seven (7) simple strategies to reduce water use:

  • Auditing irrigation system
  • Install rain sensors on automated irrigation system
  • Water grass deeply but infrequently
  • Consider using drought tolerant species and varieties
  • Raise mowing heights
  • Reduce mowing frequency
  • Soil aeration

Water Conservation (YouTube video, Anoka Conservation District; 1:57)

When in drought (or not) summer is the time to save. (YouTube video, WaterSense; 1:00)

Water use increases in the summer as outdoor watering heats up along with the temperature. This can be a bigger problem in communities that are suffering from drought. But there are things we can all do to use water more efficiently during the summer months. This includes moving to water-smart landscapes that need less supplemental watering, letting lawns take a rest from sprinklers, replacing older products with more water-efficient models that carry the WaterSense label, and being creative about reusing water. Most importantly, we can all cooperate within our community as we work to ensure that water demand and local water supply is balanced.

Keeping aquatic invasive species out of Anoka County waters

July 11th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Keeping aquatic invasive species out of Anoka County waters

Anoka County fights aquatic invasive species

Minnesota and Anoka County waters are threatened by aquatic invasive species (AIS). Invasive species are not native to Minnesota and cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive species reaching Anoka County waterways threaten lake and river communities.

It is illegal to transport any aquatic plants, zebra mussels, New Zealand mudsnails or other prohibited invasive species, or to launch a boat or trailer with these species attached.

Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department’s AIS Coordinator and a crew of seven watercraft inspectors will work the waterways seven days a week through Labor Day. View the video (YouTube, Anoka County; 2:00) of watercraft inspectors and boaters working together to keep invasive species out of Anoka County lakes and rivers.

REPORT AN AIS.  If you are interested in reporting the location of an invasive species or need help identifying a potential invasive species, please click on the link that best describes what you are interested in.

  • Aquatic plant (examples: Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, flowering rush, purple loosestrife)
  • Aquatic animal (examples: invasive carp, zebra mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, spiny waterflea)
  • Terrestrial plant (examples: Oriental bittersweet, Grecian foxglove, yellow starthistle)
  • Terrestrial animal (examples: Emerald Ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle, mute swan, Eurasian swine)

Anoka County students participate in 2015 Metro Envirothon

July 5th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Anoka County students participate in 2015 Metro Envirothon

Metro Envirothon

Teams of local students from Andover and Columbia Heights High Schools recently participated in the Metro Envirothon at the U of MN Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. The Environthon tests junior high and high school students on their knowledge of Minnesota’s natural resources in an outdoor environment. The Oral Presentation calls upon students to demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills in the protection and management of natural resources. This year’s project was urban forestry, where students presented what steps a city can take (within budget restraints) to earn the title of “Tree City USA.”

The Envirothon is sponsored by Soil and Water Conservation Districts in partnership with conservation organizations, educators, and natural resource agencies. Contact the Anoka Conservation District at 763-434-2030 or see the news release for more information.

Waterspot on Circle Pines Drinking Water Protection and Well Sealing

June 29th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Waterspot on Circle Pines Drinking Water Protection and Well Sealing

Circle Pines has been busy protecting its drinking water from pollution. The City is providing cost-share grants to residents and landowners within the Circle Pines Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) to seal old unused wells  (near City wells) preventing pollution from contaminating the City’s drinking water supply. Minnesota law requires the owner of an unused well to have it sealed by a licensed contractor, or obtain an annual permit (Minnesota Statute 103I.301). Circle Pines is making it easier and less costly to seal wells. View the video “Sealing Your Unused Well” (YouTube, 4:36).

Cost-Share Grants Awarded. Circle Pines has awarded cost-share grants to 34 residents that have sealed wells at properties on Center Road (5 wells), Circle Drive (6), Crossway Drive (1), East Road (6), Inner Drive (1), North Drive (1), Park Drive (5), and Pine Drive (9). Residents recieved half the cost of sealing their abandoned well (up to $500 grant). By sealing old unused wells, residents are protecting groundwater and the community’s drinking water supply.

Cost-share grants available for a limited time. The cities of Blaine, Circle Pines, Lexington and Lino Lakes have established a Well Sealing Cost Share Grant program for residents to have old wells sealed inside their DWSMAs. The grant is available to residents in 2015. Contact your city Wellhead Protection Manager to obtain a well sealing cost-share grant application:

See the Directory of Area Water Well Contractors to obtain bids to seal abandoned wells. For more information on well sealing go to the MDH Well Sealing webpage.

Disclosing wells during a sale or property transfer. When a home, farm, or other property is sold or transferred Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.235 requires the seller to disclose the number and the status of all wells on the property and provide a sketch map showing the location of each well. Often unused wells are sealed at that time. However a cost-share grant may not be available.

Is your property in a Drinking Water Supply Management Area? Go to the DWSMA Map to see if your property is close enough to a municipal drinking water supply well to be included in the City’s Drinking Water Supply Management Area.

July is Smart Irrigation Month

June 26th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on July is Smart Irrigation Month

Water used to maintain golf courses, parks, commercial properties, and residential yards is becoming a critical issue nationwide – even in the land of 10,000 lakes.  By and large, operators of in-ground irrigation systems tend to overwater their lawns, which can be costly, wasteful, and unsustainable for local water resources.

By selecting and planting carefully, watering wisely, and maintaining automated irrigation systems with rain or soil moisture sensors, consumers can save money, save water and see better results. Learn more at the Smart Irrigation Forum (6 pm, July 16th at the Bunker Hills Activity Center).

On average, Anoka County and the metropolitan area sees just over 30 inches of precipitation annually. While the amount of precipitation may be enough for a healthy lawn – the timing of rain sometimes isn’t idea for adequate growth. So, property owners may need to water their grass during dry periods, especially during the summer.

July is usually when water use peaks for lawns, gardens and landscapes. The purpose of Smart Irrigation Month is to increases public awareness about simple practices and innovative technologies that homeowners, businesses and property managers can use to:

  • Save money on utility bills.
  • Minimize increasing water system infrastructure costs (paid by taxes and fees).
  • Prevent unsustainable water use.
  • Protect the supply of local water resources for generations to come.

For more information regarding proper lawn watering practices, check out the Lawn Watering section of the University of Minnesota Extension Service Lawns webpage.

Recycling award winners for 2014

June 24th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Recycling award winners for 2014

Anoka County Recycling & Resource Solutions (formerly Integrated Waste Management) recently held its 26th annual Recycling Recognition Awards ceremony (news release).

180,821 tons in 2014. Municipalities, haulers, and service providers assisted Anoka County residents, institutions and businesses to recycle 180,821 tons of materials in 2014, resulting in the recycling of 42% of all waste generated in the county. The amount of materials recycled in 2014 was 10,421 tons more than in 2013. Together through this partnership information was made available to residents about recycling opportunities available.

Most Improved Drop-off Program. Recycling in Bethel, Circle Pines, Columbia Heights, East Bethel, Fridley, Hilltop and Lexington increased the amount of recycles collected by 30% over the previous year.

Master Recycler Composters. Last fall, 24 volunteers were the first to take a course on all aspects of recycling and waste management becoming Master Recycler Composters. These volunteers are leading others in their communities to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost to build and expand on the success that was celebrated during the award ceremony.

Environmental and Economic Benefits. Recycling provides a range of environmental and economic benefits to a community. Manufacturing with recycled materials saves energy and water while producing less air and water pollution. It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than to mine and refine from raw materials. The saving for other materials include: steel (60%), plastics (70%), newspapers (40%), and glass (40%).

For more information contact Renee Sande, Solid Waste Abatement Specialist, 763-323-5735 (renee.sande@co.anoka.mn.us).

Anoka Conservation District clean water projects

June 15th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Anoka Conservation District clean water projects

The Anoka Conservation District is involved in a number of projects using Clean Water Land and Legacy Funds to protect and manage Anoka County’s land and water resources. Protecting Minnesota’s waters is a joint effort between state and local agencies, who collaborate and partner on water resource management activities under the Clean Water Fund.

Thirty-three percent of the sales tax revenue from the Legacy amendment is allocated to the Clean Water Fund. Those funds may only be spent to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect groundwater from degradation.

The Clean Water Roadmap is a set of goals for protecting and restoring Minnesota’s water resources during the 25-year life of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

Anoka Conservation Dist. Active Projects:

Finished Legacy Fund Projects:

For more information contact the Anoka Conservation District at 763-434-2030.

How’s the water? Overmedicated

June 12th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on How’s the water? Overmedicated

In the last decade, national and statewide studies have revealed that many chemicals with known or suggested endocrine-disrupting potential to adversely affect developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune systems in wildlife. These chemicals include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, chemicals associated with wastewater effluent, and a variety of industrial compounds. Apart from the disquieting realization that wastewater chemicals and drugs are detectable in much of our surface water, there is a growing concern that even at low concentrations, chemicals, or mixtures of them, may adversely affect fish, wildlife, ecosystems and possibly human health.

A new study released by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency confirms that lakes and streams across Minnesota are contaminated by pharmaceuticals, cosmetic ingredients, and endocrine-disrupting compounds. This is the latest study in a series investigating the presence of these chemicals in Minnesota’s surface water:

Don’t flush unwanted drugs and cosmetic down the drain. Better alternatives include taking the drugs to medication collection sites listed in the Anoka County Sheriff Presctiption Drug Takeback Program brochure.

 

Well Sealing Cost-share Grants Available

June 11th, 2015 knowtheflow Comments Off on Well Sealing Cost-share Grants Available

It comes as a surprise to many Anoka County residents and businesses that they have an old unused well on their property. Many homes and businesses were (and are) constructed before municipal water was available. So, a well is constructed to serve the building. As city water reaches the property, the well is replaced by a connection to the water utility. The house well was buried and forgotten – but not sealed according the state standards.

Attention: Property owners in Blaine, Circle Pines, Lexington and Lino Lakes (including Centerville) are eligible for a cost-share grant to seal their unused well. This grant is available for a limited time. Contact the city Wellhead Protection Manager to obtain a well sealing cost-share grant application:

The problem: pollution can enter a corroded/damaged well and rapidly flow down into aquifers used by other nearby wells (possibly a city well) that are believed to be safe because they are deep.

The solution: have old wells sealed when they are no longer needed and no longer in use. State law requires that all unused wells be sealed by a licensed well contractor. ALSO, state law requires that all wells on a property be disclosed to the buyer and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) at the time of sale (MN Stat. 103I.235). View Sealing Your Unused Well (YouTube; 4:17)

You have help: the protection of groundwater and drinking water wells is in everyones interest.

  • Many cities are considering a cost-share grant (up to 50%) program to help seal unused wells and protect the safety of the city’s drinking water. Contact the utilities department (city hall) to learn about current and future programs to assist you in locating and sealing your unused well.
  • Anoka County Community Development is offering low-interest loans to qualified applicants to seal wells. For information go to the Ag. Best Management Practices webpage or contact Barb McKusick at 763-323-5722.
  • Check out the list of well contractors that seal wells in your area. You should contact two or more contractors to obtain bids for competitive costs.
  • For information on well sealing contact Bart Biernat at Anoka County Environmental Services (763-422-6985, Bart.Biernat@co.anoka.mn.us).

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