UPDATE (1/13/2014) A chemical spill that polluted a Charleston, West Virginia river last week is an example of the importance in managing potential pollutants that can contaminate a drinking water supply. Minneapolis and St. Paul regional water systems get their water from the Mississippi River. For information on preventing pollution of the Mississippi River and protecting […]
Archive for the ‘City of Andover’ Category
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Drinking water quality reports are available
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Drinking water is generally in good shape at Anoka County’s community water supply systems, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Drinking Water Annual Report 2012. Highlighted in the report is completion of the first phase of a new water and stand-alone wastewater system in East Bethel. “Water is the key to development” said […]
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Finding better ways to manage pollutants at the WDE closed landfill (Andover)
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is using new technologies to make the old Waste Disposal Engineering Landfill, in Andover, a better neighbor. An active gas-extraction system efficiently draws landfill gases from the buried mixed municipal solid waste. The landfill gases, mainly methane, are burned in an enclosed flare on site, thereby preventing the possible […]
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Plan ahead to celebrate Arbor Day
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Governor Dayton has proclaimed April 26, 2013 as Arbor Day and May 2013 as Arbor Month. Each year, on the last Friday of April, and throughout the month of May, Minnesotans recognize the value of trees, forests and the natural resources they represent. Trees brighten the environment by moderating climate, improving air and water quality, conserving water […]
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Water Supply Sustainability (a League of Women Voters forum)
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The League of Women Voters ABC (Anoka, Blaine and Coon Rapids) held a forum on Water Supply Sustainability in the North Metro (Monday, March 11th). Participants heard presentations by Lanya Ross, Principal Environmental Scientist with the Metropolitan Council and Jamie Schurbon, Water Resource Specialist with the Anoka Conservation District. More information about water resource issues discussed […]
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Rain gardens are improving water quality
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Rain gardens are a cost-effective best management practice (BMP) to reduce storm water runoff pollution from reaching water resources. Rain gardens reduce the degradation of water bodies by holding and infiltrating storm-water runoff that would otherwise drain (untreated) to the creek. SAND CREEK RAIN GARDENS (Coon Creek Watershed District) Nine (9) curb-cut rain gardens were […]
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Celebrating 40 years of the Clean Water Act in Anoka County
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Forty years ago, public concern about untreated sewage, industrial and toxic discharges, and contaminated stormwater runoff led to passage of a principal law to protect the nation’s waters – the Clean Water Act (CWA). Based on state and local efforts, CWA sets a national goal “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of […]
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FEMA is updating Flood Insurance Rate Maps
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency is currently updating Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) in Anoka County. Flood risk can, and does, change over time for many reasons including new development and environmental changes, to name a few. As a result FEMA is updating flood hazard maps across the country. These new flood maps show flood […]