Private (home and cabin) well owners must perform an annual test to ensure that their water supply remains safe to drink. The Anoka County Community Health and Environmental Services Department, in cooperation with 13 communities, is sponsoring the 15th annual Well Water Wise Week (3W). Anoka County’s 3W promotion coincides with National Drinking Water Week in […]
Archive for the ‘City of Columbus’ Category
Plan ahead to celebrate Arbor Day
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 and energy, and sheltering wildlife. Many community Arbor Day/Month events include tree sales that require […]
Groundwater Area includes Columbia Heights and Hilltop
Anoka County residents and businesses get their water from wells that draw from groundwater aquifers located directly below us. As Anoka County grows, so does our need for water. Is there enough groundwater? On January 2, 2014 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had established the North & East Metro Pilot Groundwater Management Area “working […]
The Safe Drinking Water Act is turning 40 years old
On December 16, 1974, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public. The SDWA applies to all public water supply systems including municipal water utilities and wells that serve mobile home parks, schools, churches and office buildings. A home or cabin well system […]
Water protection and management in your community
Anoka County communities have established water resource management programs with their watershed management organization or a watershed district. The City’s surface water management programs deal with broad land runoff (“nonpoint” source) and specific wastewater (“point” source) pollution. Point source pollution includes the discharge of treated wastewater effluent through a pipe. Nonpoint sources of pollution result from […]
Looking for water information?
The Anoka Conservation District and the seven (7) watershed management organizations are a terrific source of water information and protection activities in Anoka County. The Anoka Conservation District (ACD) is a non-regulatory county level subdivision of state government. ACD provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners to manage natural resources in a way that conserves […]
Drinking water protection map now includes the Mississippi River
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 […]
Hope Free Lutheran Church receives a drinking water protection grant
Update (12/4/2013) A little snow doesn’t stop Minnesota well contractors from constructing a reliable well that will serve Hope Free Lutheran Church with safe drinking water. Congratulations to the church leaders that found a way to improve their building as they improve the services that are available to the congregation. (11/10/2013) Hope Free Lutheran Church […]
Comments invited on the Minnesota Strategic Plan for Groundwater Management
(UPDATE 11/5/2013) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a report on the Importance of Water to the U.S. Economy (PDF, 37 pp, 2MB). The report highlights water’s importance to our national economic welfare, and summarizes information necessary to understand and manage water resources. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released their Draft Groundwater Strategic Plan (GWSP) to […]
Rain gardens are improving water quality
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 […]