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Drink up! Report gives state water a clean bill of health

Most drinking water systems in Minnesota are safe, report says.

Star Tribune

Last update: May 29, 2008 - 9:02 PM

The overwhelming majority of Minnesota's 965 community water supply systems provided safe drinking water last year with few reports of contamination, the state Minnesota Department of Health said Thursday.

The results of tests for 2007 are summarized in the department report on the state of Minnesota's drinking water. The department has published the report annually since 1995.

The state's public water supply systems are tested regularly for bacteria, nitrate and other inorganic chemicals, radiological elements and more than 100 industrial chemicals and pesticides.

One system exceeded current federal or state standards for pesticides or industrial contaminants. The city, Bayport, fixed the problem with a new water treatment plant.

Detectable levels of coliform bacteria were found in 20 systems, including 17 municipal systems. While not all coliform bacteria cause illness, they provide an indicator of possible contamination. Systems with coliform problems are routinely disinfected, flushed and retested to ensure that the contamination is gone before being returned to normal service. The report is available at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/com/dwar/report07.html.

PAUL WALSH