Report finds little contamination in drinking water

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: May 12, 2009 - 11:33 PM

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Tests on nearly 1,000 public water supply systems during the past year show little evidence of contamination in Minnesota, state health officials said Tuesday.

The annual report, started in 1995, includes results for bacteria, nitrate and other inorganic chemicals, radiological elements, and up to 118 chemicals and pesticides.

Among the 2008 findings:

•No systems exceeded current federal or state standards for pesticides or industrial contaminants.

•Detectable levels of coliform bacteria were found in 14 community water systems, including eight municipal systems: Cleveland, Dalton, Dumont, Floodwood, Kasota, Lake City, Milan and Otsego.

•While several cities in Minnesota continue to wrestle with arsenic in their groundwater, the vast majority of municipal drinking water systems had few problems. Thirteen community water systems, including nine municipal systems, still exceeded the standard for arsenic. The municipal systems are Buffalo Lake, Dalton, Dilworth, Dumont, Elizabeth, Lake Lillian, McIntosh, Norcross and Stewart.

•Nineteen community water systems -- 17 of them municipal -- exceeded the standard for radium 226 and 228 at the end of 2008. The affected municipal systems are Anoka, Brook Park, Claremont, East Bethel, Glenville, Goodview, Hinckley, Isanti, LaCrescent, Lewiston, Lonsdale, Medford, Pipestone, Rushford Village, St. Louis Park, Spring Lake Park and Watson. No restrictions were placed on consumption, although residents were notified. Each of these systems has either started to make infrastructure changes or is studying alternatives.

The 2008 report is available at tinyurl.com/rx8rsm .

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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