Breeze Fall 2021

Breeze American Water Works Association - MN Section PO Box 64975, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975 Address service requested

Issue 187 • Fall 2021

2021

MN AWWA CONFERENCE DULUTH, MN | SEPTEMBER 14-17, 2021

Inside: Drinking Water Revolving Fund – Easier than Secession Minnesota Annual Compliance Report For 2020

The Official Publication of the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association

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Breeze Issue 187 • Fall 2021

Table of Contents

Section Chair-Elect Uma Vempati Kimley-Horn Associates Ph: 612-209-1912 uma.mnawwa@gmail.com

Features

Section Past Chair Bill Schluenz City of Waite Park Ph: 320-252-6822 bill.schluenz@ci.waitepark.mn.us

Guidelines for Use of Mini-Horizontal Directional Drilling for Placement of HDPE Pipe for Water Applications

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AWWA Director Eric Volk City of New Brighton Ph: 651-638-2110 eric.volk@newbrightonmn.gov

Drinking Water Revolving Fund – Easier Than Secession

23

Section Secretary-Treasurer Miles Jensen SEH, Inc. Ph: 651-490-2000 mjensen@sehinc.com

2021 State of the Water Industry: Executive Summary

27 41

Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Jim Hauth City of Columbia Heights Ph: 763-706-3711 jhauth@columbiaheightsmn.gov Disclaimer The ideas, opinions, concepts, procedures, etc. expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the MNAWWA section, its officers, general membership, or the editor. The mention of trade names for commercial products does not represent or imply the approval or endorsement of AWWA. This magazine is presented solely for informational purposes.

Breeze Magazine is published by

Tel: 866-985-9780 Fax: 866-985-9799 www.kelmanonline.com Managing Editor - Tammy Marlowe Johnson Design/Layout - Tabitha Robin Marketing Manager - Jeff Kutny jeff@kelman.ca Advertising Co-ordinator - Stefanie Hagidiakow ©2021 Craig Kelman & Associates. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express consent of the publisher.

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Minnesota Annual Compliance Report For 2020

2021

MN AWWA CONFERENCE PROGRAM SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

Departments Message from the Director

7

Industry News

9

Advertiser Product & Service Center

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Visit us at www.mnawwa.org

M N AW WA Message from the Director

Welcome Back!

Although We Never Left…

Eric Volk

“We are a 24/7/365 profession that cannot rest on our laurels – not even for a second … We have always been here, and we will always be here when they need us.”

W

elcome back! Although we never left….

I want to take the opportunity to applaud the water and sewer industry on all of the fantastic work we have accomplished over the past year and a half. We hear so much about the great work our medical and emergency first responders have done in the past year, but rarely hear about the water and wastewater operators that showed up to work every day throughout the pandemic to ensure we have safe and reliable services.

We are a 24/7/365 profession that cannot rest on our laurels – not even for a second. The water treatment plants need to run, the hydrants need to work, collection systems need to flow, and

the wastewater needs to be treated and disposed of in a proficient and professional manner.

We are an industry that is there for each other and for our communities. I once heard that by supplying safe drinking water and effective sanitary sewer services, we prevent more diseases than doctors do. Now I am not sure if that’s true, but I do know that we play a large part in the daily public health our country and the world. Our industry has been dated back to 3,000 BCE, where indoor plumbing is believed to have been used in Scotland. I am not sure about you, but I would say that 5,000-plus years as an industry is a pretty good run.

I will finish with this: we have always been here, and we will always be here when they need us. •

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M N AW WA Industry News

UMN Assistant Professor Judy Yang Awarded Research Grant

The Minnesota Water Research Fund (MWRF) recently awarded a research grant to UMN Assistant Professor Judy Yang. Dr. Yang leads the Environmental Transport Lab in the Department of Civil, Environmental and GeoEngineering at the University of Minnesota. The funding will be used by Dr. Yang and her graduate student to study the impacts of vegetation on surface/groundwater interactions.

This is the second award made by MWRF this academic year: the first award was given in response to a request made by environmental faculty members, led

by Professor Paige Novak, to assist with the purchase of four automated water sampling devices for use by faculty and student researchers. The equipment is currently being used for research this summer.

To support the MWRF and learn more about current and past research funding, please stop by our booth at the 2021 MN AWWA Conference in Duluth.

The Minnesota Water Research Fund provides research support for faculty and students of the UMN Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo- Engineering working in water resources management and water treatment.

Research advances generated in the laboratory with the help of funding from MWRF help guide critical water infrastructure decisions and investments across the state of Minnesota, particularly in those small communities where funds for water research, training, and education are scarce. Visit www.cse.umn.edu/cege/minnesotawater-research-fund to learn more. •

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M N AW WA Industry News

AWWA Sends Letter Supporting Amendment 18 in the PFAS Action Act Courtesy of www.awwa.org

The American Water Works Association recently sent a letter urging members of the House Committee on Rules to approve Amendment 18 in HR 2467, the PFAS Action Act. The Amendment, proposed by Representatives David McKinley, Josh Gottheimer, and Lisa McClain, would exempt drinking water and wastewater utilities from PFAS liability except when such utilities have released the chemicals as a result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

The letter says, “We understand the interest in designating PFAS compounds as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). However, we must flag some unintended consequences of such actions that need to be taken into account.

“If any PFAS compounds are to be designated hazardous substances under CERCLA, we urge Congress to keep liability for PFAS cleanup with PFAS

manufacturers and formulators. Congress should not hold community drinking water and wastewater facilities liable for PFAS contamination caused by PFAS products that the country now realizes should not have been allowed into commerce in the United States.”

AWWA’s guiding principles on PFAS regulation include a commitment to public health protection, fidelity to scientific process, protection of source water and investment in research. See more at www.awwa.org/pfas. •

Three-part Webinar Series Offers Expert Advice on Drought in the Western United States To help water utilities prepare for drought and mitigate its impacts, the American Water Works Association(AWWA) is offering a three-part webinar series, entitled Western US Drought: What You Need to Know. The first webinar in the series was July 29.

Registration for the full three-part series is $180 for members and $285 for non-members. Individual webinars are $75 for members and $120 for non-members. Each of the 90minute webinars begins at 11 a.m. MT. The July 29 webinar was in a town hall format and was titled Updated US Drought Portal Provides Comprehensive User Information. It featured Kelsey Satelino and Steve Ansari from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Integrated Drought Information System. The event included a demonstration of the new US Drought Portal at www.drought.gov, focusing on tools and resources to help water utilities better plan drought and mitigate impacts.

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The second webinar on August 24 is titled Exceptional Drought and Historic Extremes in the US West and features Paul Miller and Mike Hobbins from NOAA, Julie Koeberle from the US Department of Agriculture, Mike Crimmins, professor and extension specialist from the Climate Science Department of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona, and Justin Huntington, research professor of hydrology at the Desert Research Institute.

This event provides an overview of the unique climate of the Western United States and how the last year-and-a-half has been different across this region.

The third webinar on August 31 is titled An Eye to the Future: Examining Long-term Drought and Climate Change Trends and features Andy Hoell from NOAA and Isla Simpson from the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The event highlights recent research on longterm trends and future climate change projections of drought in the region and places the current drought, and the current two decades of low precipitation, into historical and future contexts. •

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M N AW WA Industry News

Quinn Whiting Develops NMR Spectroscopy Method to Track Fluorine Courtesy of University of Minnesota

Quinn Whiting (MS Civil Engineering, 2020) was awarded one of only two 2021 Master’s Thesis Awards from the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP). The award recognizes theses that contribute to the advancement of environmental science and engineering. Whiting’s thesis, Fluorinated Photoproduct Formation from Photolysis of Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals and Phenols, contributes a new method of tracking fluorine during reactions of pollutants.

We are most familiar with fluorine through the addition of the ionic form, fluoride, to drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Fluorine has many other uses, and it forms a particularly strong bond with carbon. Thus, fluorine is widely used as a component of synthetic compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides, because of its ability to change the physiochemical properties of compounds (for example, solubility or metabolic stability).

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Common fluorine motifs abound (including -CF3, -CF2, Ar-CF3, Ar-F, or PyCF3). Photolysis of compounds containing fluorine as part of their structure can introduce new fluorinated compounds into the environment. Because some fluorinated compounds are potentially toxic, it is important to monitor formation of various fluorinated motifs when contaminants degrade in the environment.

Bill Arnold, Whiting’s thesis advisor, admired the way Whiting “wholeheartedly took on the challenge of developing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy method to track fluorine during the degradation of a variety of contaminants. We plan is to use the method Whiting developed as a screening tool to identify which fluorinated micropollutants lead to reaction products in the environment and in water treatment systems that need further attention due to potential persistence or toxicity.”

Whiting was honored to receive this award, saying, “I am even more glad that the work I put toward creating a new method

to track the fluorine atom(s) as the parent molecule degrades was recognized by the scientific community. Receiving an award was beyond expectations.”

Whiting’s accomplishment will be celebrated at the AEESP Annual Awards Ceremony (held virtually on July 14, 2021, with an in-person Research and Education Conference planned for June 2022).

Currently, Whiting is working as a post master’s fellow at the US EPA in Cincinnati, OH. He is developing a new, high-throughput method using laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR) that will help detect, identify, and quantify micro- and nano-plastics in urban watersheds.

Whiting’s work is part of a research project led by Bill Arnold (Whiting’s thesis adviser) and Will Pomerantz (Chemistry professor at UMN). The work was funded by the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust fund (ENTRF) as recommended by the Legislative and Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). •

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M N AW WA Pipestone Receives EPA Aquarius Award The city of Pipestone, MN, has received an Aquarius Award through the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program for its excellence and leadership in the financing and construction of a new water treatment plant to address public health and environmental issues.

Pipestone needed to reduce the concentration of gross alpha emitters in its drinking water to protect public health. The new treatment plant was also designed to reduce the hardness of water leaving the plant, eliminating the need for residents to have water softeners in their home, which contribute to chloride concentrations at the city’s wastewater plant. Reducing the chloride concentration protects the environment in surface and groundwater downstream from the wastewater facility.

The Pipestone project was one of the first in Minnesota to deal with a wastewater issue by treating their drinking water supply.

“By taking a holistic approach to solving their problem, the city was able to meet both their public health and environmental standards far more cost effectively,” said Chad Kolstad of the Minnesota Department of Health DWSRF program.

With the new water treatment plant, Pipestone has reduced gross alpha emitters to below detection levels and has allowed the city to continue to optimize and remove home water softeners as needed to meet their chloride wastewater discharge permit limit. In addition to the new water treatment plant, the project included the installation of watermains and new wells. The $15.4 million project was funded with a DWSRF loan of $8.4 million and a point source implementation grant of $7.0 million from the state.

The Aquarius Award recognizes exceptional projects for excellence in innovative financing, problem solving, and protection of public health and serves as an examples of the high level of innovation possible with the DWSRF. •

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Guidelines for Use of Mini-Horizontal Directional Drilling for Placement of HDPE Pipe for Water Applications

By Dr. Lawrence M. Slavin, Outside Plant Consulting Services, Inc., (O) 973-983-0813 (C) 973-979-1942 lslavin@ieee.org INTRODUCTION User-friendly guidelines for the placement of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe with mini-horizontal directional drilling equipment have been developed by the Municipal Advisory Board (MAB) of the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI).

Previously available as Technical Report TR-46, published in 2009: MAB Guidelines for Use of Mini-Horizontal Directional Drilling for Placement of HDPE (PE4710) Pipe in Municipal Applications, emphasizes the applications for potable water and sewer projects, and provides detailed information for both IPS and DIPS size pipes, constructed of the latest PE4710 material. MAB-7 provides information analogous to that provided in ASTM F1962: Standard Guide for Use of Maxi-Horizontal Directional Drilling for Placement of Polyethylene Pipe or Conduit Under Obstacles, Including River Crossings, but is more appropriate for mini-HDD technology and typical project characteristics.

MAB-7 includes the following 10 main sections, as well as six supporting appendices: • Scope • Referenced Standards and Specifications • Terminology • Preliminary Site Investigation • Safety and Environmental Considerations • Regulations and Damage Prevention • Pipe Design and Selection Considerations • Bore Path Planning and Drill Rig Setup • Implementation • Completion The document is readily available to the public via the web-site of the Plastics Pipe Institute at www.plasticpipe.org/pdf/ mab-7-mini-hdd-guide.pdf.

BACKGROUND Figures 1 and 2 illustrate typical minihorizontal directional drilling (mini-HDD) equipment and pilot boring and backreaming operations, including placement (pullback) of the product pipe, such as for water distribution applications.

Mini-horizontal directional drilling (mini-HDD) is typically employed for boring segments less than 600 feet in length, at

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Figure 1.

Typical Mini-HDD Equipment and Pilot Boring Process.

Figure 2.

Typical Mini-HDD Back-Reaming and Pipe Pullback Process.

depths up to 15 feet, and placing pipes up to 12 inches diameter. In contrast, maxi-HDD technology is capable of accurately boring holes thousands of feet in length, and placing pipes of 48 inches or greater, at depths up to 200 feet. Maxi-HDD machines may weigh as much as 30 tons or greater and is appropriate for placing pipes under large rivers or other major obstacles.

ASTM F1962 provides recommended procedures for the placement of HDPE pipe using maxi-HDD. The ASTM document provides overall guidelines, addressing preliminary site investigation, safety and environmental considerations, regulations and damage prevention, bore path layout and design, implementation, and inspection and site cleanup. One of the significant contributions of ASTM F1962 is the provision of a rational, analytical method for selecting the polyethylene pipe strength based upon

the estimated installation and post-installation (operational) loads on the polyethylene pipe.

ASTM F1962 therefore provides a means of determining project feasibility, as well as initial design information.

While the ASTM F1962 guidelines are convenient and practical to apply by experienced engineers for a maxi-HDD operation, the corresponding equations and procedures represent relatively complicated formulae, and an extensive tedious methodology, when considering smaller, lower cost operations associated with typical mini-HDD applications, including that associated with placing a new water or sewer distribution line.

Nonetheless, some mini-HDD installations may be considered to be relatively critical, or approach limits with respect to the capability of the available drill rig and/or the strength of the product pipe being installed, and for which

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a relatively convenient, although possibly less precise, design procedure would be desirable. Furthermore, any construction procedure must address basic safety rules, avoid damage to existing facilities, adhere to applicable government regulations, and consider environmental issues. MAB-7 was therefore developed to serve as an inclusive document, providing practices for placement of HDPE (PE4710) pipe, for municipal applications, using mini-HDD. In particular, MAB-7 includes easy-tounderstand guidelines for proper drill rig positioning, consistent with meeting required

placement depths and drill rod capabilities, as well as for estimating the relevant forces and effects present during installation, allowing proper selection of the pipe strength.

DESCRIPTION MAB-7 contains 10 main chapters or sections, as briefly described below, supplemented by several appendices.

Scope, Related Industry Standards and Terminology (Sections 1, 2, and 3) MAB-7 addresses planning, design, drill rig setup, and installation practices for

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the placement of polyethylene pipe using mini-HDD equipment. The primary focus is on commonly used high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe with a material designation code of PE4710. Depending on the diameter, polyethylene pipe may be supplied in continuous lengths on a reel or discrete segments which would typically be fused together in the field.

Preliminary Site Investigation (Section 4) The general feasibility of utilizing mini-HDD technology for placing the proposed pipeline(s) must be determined prior to any proposed construction activities. Such a preliminary investigation is required to gain an understanding of the local characteristics in order to help ensure a cost-effective, efficient and, above all, safe operation. Of particular importance, and as addressed in other sections of the guidelines, is the awareness of existing utilities in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline and the need to maintain minimum specified clearances during the construction process.

Safety and Environmental Considerations (Section 5) Safety is a primary concern, during any activity, including construction utilizing mini-HDD equipment and procedures.

Potential safety issues fall into two general categories: (1) those directly related to the setup and operation of the mini-HDD equipment, and (2) those associated with the proper location, identification and marking procedures intended to avoid contacting and damaging existing utilities.

Section 5 of MAB-7 addresses the first category, providing practices to avoid or minimize equipment-related risks during mini-HDD operations. Employees must be trained to prevent injuries to themselves during the operation of the equipment and be prepared to mitigate the effects of accidents. Electric power and gas line strikes are specifically addressed. Although not considered to be hazardous materials, the proper handling and disposal of drilling fluid is also discussed to avoid possible environmental issues.

Regulations and Damage Prevention (Section 6) Section 6 of MAB-7 addresses the second category of potential safety issues, focusing on procedures to eliminate or reduce

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hazards associated with damaging existing utilities, including during the initial boring or back-reaming operations. Recommended practices include: • ‘call-before-you dig’ (811), properly locating and marking existing utilities, as well as exposing such utilities at anticipated crossings with the bore path.

• avoiding mechanized digging within the required tolerance zone.

• the use of Subsurface Utility Engineering, as described in CI/ASCE 38: Standard Guidelines for the Collection and Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data.

(DR value) for IPS pipe sizes, as well as for DIPS pipe sizes. The following simplified equation has been developed for the purpose of estimating the pull load during mini-HDD installations of polyethylene pipe: Tension (lbs) = [Bore Length (ft) x Buoyant Weight (lbs/ft) x (1/3)] x (1.6)n The buoyant weight may be conveniently determined as: Buoyant Weight (lbs/ft) = ½ [Pipe Outer Diameter (in.)]2 – Pipe Weight (lbs/ft)

The term n is equal to the number (including fractions) of effective 90° bends due to cumulative route curvature, where n = n1 + n2. The quantity n1 is the number of planned (deliberate) 90° route bends, and n2 is the number of effective route bends resulting from typical path corrections and route curvature during the pilot boring operation, for which the following guideline is suggested: n2 = [Bore Length (ft) / 500 ft] x [2-in / Rod Diameter (in.)]

Pipe Design and Selection Considerations (Section 7) MAB-7 contains a convenient calculation method for the selection of the HDPE (PE4710) pipe strength. The procedure is presented in an easy-to-understand format, appropriate for users with various backgrounds. The procedure provides a means of selecting the pipe strength to avoid collapse due to hydrostatic pressure at the desired placement depth, as well as to withstand the required pulling loads during installation.

MINIMUM WALL THICKNESS BASED UPON DEPTH The pipe strength is directly related to the wall thickness, as specified by its dimension ratio, DR, defined as the pipe outer diameter by the wall thickness. The MAB-7 guidelines indicate that essentially all the commonly used wall thicknesses for PE4710 pipe, with the possible exception of DR 17 pipe, would be sufficiently strong for depths to approximately 15 feet, the typical limit for mini-HDD installations. DR 17 pipe should generally be limited to less than 10 feet depth, although 15 feet may also be acceptable in some cases.

For depths greater than 15 feet, very thin-walled pipe, or special situations, the adequacy of the product for the application should be verified using the supplementary information provided in the document. In some cases, such as very thin-walled pipe and/ or relatively large depths, special practices or precautions not typically employed during miniHDD installations may be required.

MINIMUM WALL THICKNESS BASED UPON PULLING LOAD MAB-7 provides the ‘safe pull tension’ for HDPE (PE4710) pipe as a function of pipe (nominal) diameter and wall thickness

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For a specified pipe diameter, the procedure for selecting an appropriate pipe strength (DR value) then consists of comparing the estimated pull load to the indicated safe pull tensions. This procedure is similar, but much less complicated, than that incorporated in ASTM F1962 for the more sophisticated maxi-HDD installations. The present mini-HDD calculations will generally result in considerably shorter placement distances than that corresponding to the design methodology provided in ASTM F1962, which may result in possible pullback distances of several thousands of feet.

Mini-HDD installations suffer relative to those performed using typical maxiHDD technology due to the lesser degree

Figure 3.

Drill Rig Setup and Related Distances.

of control (e.g. greater cumulative route curvature) and the desire to forego the use of anti-buoyancy techniques, such as inserting water into the pipe during pullback, to reduce buoyant weight and significantly reduce required pull loads.

In general, the preceding formulas and methodology are recommended for estimating pull loads for mini-HDD installations. Other methods for determining pulling loads are typically based on wellcontrolled maxi-HDD installations and not representative of actual mini-HDD applications with respect to anticipated pull loads.

Bore Path Planning and Drill Rig Setup (Section 8) In comparison to maxi-HDD installations,

for which the design of the bore path is typically performed by experienced engineers or organizations, the mini-HDD contractor is generally responsible for cost-effectively accomplishing this task.

Thus, MAB-7 provides user-friendly drill rig setup and bore path planning information, consistent with meeting the requirements of the project owner, including geographic constraints and placement depth. The ability to satisfy the overall requirements depends on the bending characteristics of the steel drill rods and the drill rig setup parameters.

Figure 3 illustrates a typical mini-HDD bore vertical profile trajectory, including occasional pits along the route.

These pits may be required for pipe splicing, completing lateral connections, or to expose existing utilities. The pits may also be useful for collecting drilling fluid from the boring or reaming operations. The bending capability and length of the drill rods, and their entry angle to ground surface, will determine the minimum depth achievable at the beginning of the bore path.

Implementation (Section 9) It is beyond the scope of the MAB-7 guidelines to provide detailed operational procedures for the various mini-HDD and auxiliary equipment, which is generally available from the manufacturers or other sources. However, proper procedures are described for pilot boring, tracking, steering, reaming and pullback operations, as well as pipe handling and connection, record keeping.

Completion (Section 10) Following installation of the pipe, it is necessary to confirm the viability of the new facility, provide a permanent record of the actual placement location, and ensure final site cleanup. The integrity of the pipes should be appropriately verified, depending upon the application, and the owner’s specifications.

Appendices (A - F) The 10 main sections outlined above are supported by six appendices, which provide examples of the application of the information described in Sections 7 and 8, as well as the theoretical basis for their development. •

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DRINKING WATER REVOLVING FUND

Easier Than Secession

PROGRAM IN PLACE MAKES WHAT KINNEY DID UNNECESSARY

T

he 1996 amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) created a revolving loan fund.

Similar to one already in place for wastewater projects, the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) provides below-market-rate loans to public water systems for capital improvements needed to achieve or maintain compliance with the SDWA. Since the inception of the DWRF, Minnesota has funded nearly 600 projects totaling more than $1 billion.

What was life like, especially for smaller communities, before DWRF? Cities had to get creative, and the saga of one Minnesota Iron Range town lives on nearly half-a-century later.

The Iron Range in Minnesota is associated with iron-ore mining districts in the northeast part of the state. The Vermilion Range wraps around the Ely area. The larger Mesabi (also spelled Mesaba and pronounced as such) Range – mostly to the southwest of the Vermilion – encompasses a region that includes Hibbing, Chisholm, Virginia, and Eveleth. Amid these cities have existed numerous ‘locations,’ communities on the edge of an open mine pit that were established to provide

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residences for the workers and not meant to continue for longer than the mine was operational.

Early in the 20th century, a location emerged between Virginia and Chisholm, a mile north of what is now US Highway 169.

Known as Kinney (after OD Kinney, an early miner in the area), its population peaked at more than 1,200 and then declined; however, the city of Kinney lived on, even though its utilities weren’t intended to last for decades. A surge in residents – from 325 in 1970 to 600 by mid-decade with the expansion of a US steel mine – taxed its aging infrastructure.

Mary Anderson grew up in Kinney and, after excursions to other parts of the country, returned to her hometown and began operating a liquor store and bar with her dad in the 1940s. In the 1960s, she became a nurse and worked at the hospital in nearby Virginia. She was also active in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party, an affiliate of the national Democratic party. The DFL at the time dominated the region, which has been historically aligned with organized labor. Paul Wellstone even kicked off the Iron Range portion of his 1990

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$$

$

Needs REMAIN

While Kinney got the funding to fix its water system, infrastructure needs remain for public water suppliers across Minnesota and the country. Drinking water infrastructure includes everything from the water source to meters in people’s homes. It includes wells and well houses, pumps, treatment facilities, storage units, distribution pipes, power sources, and computer systems.

Current infrastructure needs for Minnesota total nearly $1 billion, and the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the state will have to invest approximately $7.5 billion over the next 20 years to upgrade community public water systems to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. More than half of the current financial need is for water systems serving fewer than 3,300 people.

As a result of the changes in legislation to two key grant programs in Minnesota in 2017, the Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) and Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG), the grant funding for drinking water projects has increased over the last several years. Funding totaled $17.5 million in fiscal year 2019. WIF provides grant funding based on an affordability threshold, allowing needed and costly drinking water infrastructure projects to be completed. PSIG is a grant program designed to help communities address limits placed on wastewater discharges and assist public water systems. Both of these programs, when linked to the Drinking Water Revolving Fund, have put many needed drinking water infrastructure projects in reach for communities across Minnesota.

In recent years, Kinney has also received a pair of Source Water Protection grants totaling nearly $11,000 from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Though available grant dollars increased over the last few years, grant dollars still do not cover total project costs, so systems have to find other funding mechanisms for projects, such as Drinking Water Revolving Fund loans as well as the US Housing and Urban Development Small Cities Development Program and the Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Organizations such MDH and the Minnesota Rural Water Association are assisting water systems with financial and asset management planning and working to coordinate funding programs to optimize the use of available funds.

Current programs and funding tools make it more likely that cities will receive the support they need to remain viable and maintain the economic development that depends on a safe and reliable source of water without having to declare war on the United States.

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Breeze | Fall 2021

US Senate run at Mary’s Bar in Kinney and has called Anderson the ‘soul of the Iron Range.’

In 1973, Anderson took on another role: Mayor of Kinney. Two years before, she had run and narrowly lost to a man who then died in office. Anderson prevailed in a special election to fill the vacancy and was re-elected in 1975 with a pledge to get funding to improve the city’s water system.

Beset with iron and manganese that fouled its aesthetic qualities, the water also had problems with built-up mineral deposits in the pipes. Anderson saw the effects when her family home, by this time a rental property, burned in 1974. Besides the issues with low pressure in the pipes, one of the fire hydrants didn’t work.

Anderson and the city council filed countless grant applications and searched for money, with little success. At a meeting on July 12, 1977, the group decided to follow on an idea that had come up in earlier brainstorming – secession. Village attorney Jim Randall was told to draft a letter to US Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. The next day the city officials signed and sent the missive: BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Kinney, in Kinney, MN, has decided to secede from the United States of America, and become a foreign country. Our area is large enough for it. We are twelve square blocks, three blocks wide and four blocks long. We will be similar to Monaco. It is much easier to get assistance as a foreign country, which we need badly, and there is no paper work to worry about. If necessary, we will be glad to declare war and lose. However, if this is a requirement, we would appreciate being able to surrender real quick, as our Mayor works as a nurse in a hospital, and most of our council members work in a nearby mine and cannot get much time off from work.

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Photo of pass

port and proclam

In addition to Anderson and Randall, the signatories were city clerk Margaret Medure and council members Lloyd Linnell and Myron Holcomb.

After a month without a reply, Anderson sought help from Veda Ponikvar of the Chisholm Free Press. (Like Anderson, Ponikvar was well known on the Iron Range and later became a real-life character in WP Kinsella’s novel, Shoeless Joe; in the movie based on the book, Field of Dreams, Ponikvar was portrayed by Anne Seymour.) But even Ponikvar’s assistance had little effect.

Finally, in early 1978, the widespread publicity came. It started with Ginny Wennen of the of the Mesabi Daily News of Virginia hearing the secession story. Young and enterprising, Wennen saw the potential for a story that would at least create smiles among readers. It did much more. Move Over Monaco, Here Comes Kinney was the headline over Wennen’s February 5 front-page story, which went wherever a 1977 version of ‘viral’ might be.

David Brinkley mentioned Kinney on the NBC Nightly News two days later, and the story spiraled through other news outlets.

About the same time, the city’s squad car broke down. Out of desperation, Anderson contacted Jeno Paulucci, a native of the Mesabi Range and a tycoon in ventures ranging from pizzas to periodicals. A man who admired spunk and operated with flair, Paulucci donated a used Ford LTD emblazoned with a ‘Republic of Kinney’ logo to replace the squad car, and he threw in a box of 10 cases of his pizza mix – all to grand publicity, of course.

Seeing a turn in the tide, the new republic embraced its independence. Kinney created a passport for its residents with a logo that contained the slogan File in Triplicate – homage to the red tape they had unsuccessfully meandered through before.

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ation.

Wennen continued to write stories, as did others. Not everyone embraced the movement. From within the Iron Range itself and throughout the country, some blasted Kinney for its lack of self-sufficiency. (One critic suggested a literal blast with an anonymous letter indicating hope that the US government would use Kinney ‘as a test site for one of their neutron bombs.’)

“WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE, ESPECIALLY FOR SMALLER COMMUNITIES, BEFORE DWRF? CITIES HAD TO GET CREATIVE, AND THE SAGA OF ONE MINNESOTA IRON RANGE TOWN LIVES ON NEARLY HALF-A-CENTURY LATER.” The detractors, however, were in the minority, and the overall reaction was positive. In March 1978, Hibbing-native and Minnesota governor Rudy Perpich became the first nonresident to receive a passport, and Kinney began selling them to outsiders as a fundraising effort. Others pitched in, designing a flag and donating a canoe so Kinney could have a Navy.

After conventional efforts produced little, Kinney’s innovative approach worked.

“The publicity we generated had the desired effect,” said Randall.

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Photo of tower.

ory in the y Wennen’s st Headline of Ginn News. ily Da i ab 78, Mes February 5, 19

By the end of March 1978, Kinney received a grant of $60,000 from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), a state development agency designed to advance economic growth on the Iron Range. By the end of the year, the IRRRB added another $138,000, enough for Kinney to replace its water and sewer lines and drill a 450-foot-deep well.

Even with a functioning water system, Anderson’s bar and her apartment atop it burned down in 1995. The locals chipped in and quickly a pair of structures went up on the site, one for Anderson to live in and the other for the bar, which remained the unofficial headquarters of the Republic of Kinney.

In 2002, Anderson wrapped up her tenure as mayor and also sold the bar to Larry Hauta, who grew up in the area. The Kinney offices, just across the street, have limited hours, so the bar (now Liquid Larry’s) is still the place to obtain a passport.

Hauta maintains a record of all who buy one and continues the long tradition of screening non-residents with a ‘visual inspection and a handshake.’

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Liquid Larry Ha uta keeps the secession spirit Kinney passpo alive by selling rts and mainta Republic of ining a display has the faded of its history. Liq Grain Belt sign, uid Larry’s still which survived of Mary’s Bar. the 1995 fire an d is a vestige

By the early 1980s, the water system had been fixed, but ongoing challenges remained, ones inherent to the Iron Range with its cyclical history of shutdowns and layoffs. Kinney carried on and, with Anderson as grand marshal, celebrated its 30 years of independence with a Secession Days Festival and a Republic of Kinney Day in July 2007. Anderson died three months later.

Numerous political leaders, including Mark Dayton (between stints as a US Senator and Minnesota Governor), attended.

Kinney’s population was 152 when Anderson died. It’s now under 150, and its future as a town is uncertain. But its legacy as a Republic lives on.

FOOTNOTE: Secession was nothing new to Kinney in terms of innovative solutions. George Rekela, who grew up in Kinney, told of the time the city needed a night patrolman and was able to cheaply contract with the town’s peeping Tom because, as Rekela said, “They figured he was already out there anyway…” •

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State of the Water Industry

al crop marks

2O21

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Click HERE to return to Table of Contents

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27

“

Optimism

“The rise in optimism from water leaders doesn’t surprise me at all. The pandemic and the response to natural disasters in many regions also inspired us to shake off the “we have always done it that way” mentality. In some ways we’ve leapt 10 years ahead of where we might have been. Working from home for those who can? Check. New ways of working, and new processes? Check. And as water professionals who dealt with wildfires, hurricanes, and winter storms can attest, there is nothing like a real-life disaster that needs to be addressed with funding and infrastructure so it never happens again.

Check. We’ve always been resilient, but what the last year reinforced is that we are adaptable too, and that’s a pretty unbeatable combination.”

Melissa Elliott, President, AWWA

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Optimism prevails in resilient water sector Optimism prevails in resilient water sector Despite pandemic, positive trend continues Despite pandemic, positive trend continues

During a year underscored by the global COVID-19 During a year underscored by the globalas COVID-19 pandemic, water professionals − hailed essential pandemic, water professionals − hailed as essential service providers − persevered through unprecedented service providers − persevered through challenges to deliver safe, reliable waterunprecedented and sanitation challenges to deliver safe, reliable water and sanitation services to the public. services to the public.

This resilience within the water sector is underscored This resilience within the water sector isinunderscored by a record level of optimism recorded the 2021 by a record level of optimism recorded in theThe 2021 State of the Water Industry (SOTWI) report. report State of the Water Industry (SOTWI) report.

The is based on an annual survey of North Americanreport water is based on anconducted annual survey of American North American professionals by the Water water professionals conducted by between the American Water Works Association (AWWA) September Works Association (AWWA) between September and November 2020. and November 2020.

Despite the pandemic, as well as extreme weather Despite the other pandemic, well as extreme weather events and 2020 as challenges, survey participants events and other 2020 challenges, survey participants on average rated the current overall health of the water on average ratedon the current water industry at 5.24 a scale ofoverall 1 (not health sound)of tothe 7 (very industry at 5.24 on a scale of 1 (not sound) to 7 (very sound), the most optimistic in the 17 years of the sound), the most optimistic in the 17 years of the SOTWI survey.

Using the same scale, they also rated SOTWI survey.

Using the same scale, they also rated the soundness of the water industry in five years at 5.01. the soundness of the water industry in five years at 5.01.

As shown in the graph below: As shown in the graph below:  The 5.24 rating for the sector’s current overall health  is The rating for the sector’s current health the5.24 fourth consecutive increase sinceoverall the low is consecutive increase since the low of the 4.34fourth in 2017. of 4.34 in 2017.  The 5.01 rating for the sector’s soundness in five  years The 5.01 the sector’s soundness in survey five alsorating is thefor highest in the history of the years also is the highest in the history of the survey and the fourth consecutive increase since the low of and fourth consecutive increase since the low of 4.34the in 2017.

4.34 in 2017.

State of the Water Industry: State of the Water Industry:

All respondents 2004–2021 (n = 2,916) 5.40

All respondents 2004–2021 (n = 2,916) 5.24

5.40 5.20 5.20 5.00 5.00 4.80 4.80 4.60 4.60 4.40 4.40 4.20 4.20 4.00 4.00

5.00

4.90

4.92 4.86 4.85 4.79 4.90 4.92 4.70 4.87 4.81 4.86 4.64 4.61 4.65 4.63 4.85 4.79 4.74 4.56 4.73 4.69 4.51 4.87 4.81 4.64 4.70 4.63 4.47 4.47 4.64 4.46 4.65 4.61 4.63 4.58 4.57 4.74 4.56 4.73 4.34 4.51 4.54 4.51 4.69 4.64 4.63 4.474.43 4.47 4.46 4.47 4.58 4.57 Current 4.35 4.39 4.34 4.51 4.54 4.36 4.43 4.47 In 5 Years 4.36 Current 4.35 4.39 5.00

5.24 5.01 5.01

In 5 Years 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 ©AWWA 2021 State of the Water Industry ©AWWA 2021 State of the Water Industry

Full report available at awwa.org/SOTWI Full report available at awwa.org/SOTWI Click HERE to return to Table of Contents

AWARENESS AND PREPARATION AWARENESS AND PREPARATION

AWWA’s annual survey, launched in 2004, is a AWWA’s annual survey, launchedongoing in 2004,ability is a self-assessment of the sector’s self-assessment of the sector’s ongoing ability to safeguard public health, support and strengthen to safeguard public health,the support and strengthen communities, and protect environment.

The communities, and protect the environment.

The SOTWI report is intended to help water utilities, SOTWI report is intended to help utilities, service providers, regulators and water researchers service providers, regulators and researchers identify and prepare for challenges, opportunities identify andimpacting prepare for challenges, opportunities and trends the water community. and trends impacting the water community.

The 2021 report, highlighted in this Executive The 2021 report, highlighted in 3,021 this Executive Summary, compiles data from survey Summary, compiles data from 3,021 survey participants on water sector issues including participants on water sector issues including infrastructure, emergency preparedness, regulatory infrastructure, preparedness, regulatory compliance andemergency water resources management. compliance and water resources management.

This year’s report also investigates the impacts This year’s report also investigates the impacts of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic on of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic on the water sector. the water sector.

“

“I attributed last year’s rise in optimism to “I attributed last year’s rise in optimism to an ‘accumulation effect.’ In other words, as an ‘accumulation effect.’ In other words, as we accumulate knowledge and experience we accumulate knowledge and experience to solve modern-day water challenges, we to solve modern-day water challenges, we become more optimistic about the current become more optimistic about the current and future health of the water sector. This and future health of the water sector. This year’s continuing upward trend–especially year’s continuing upward trend–especially during a pandemic–reinforces this theory during a pandemic–reinforces this theory and demonstrates the growing confidence and demonstrates the growing confidence in our ability to work together on solutions. in our ability to work together on solutions.

As a result, we know we can support a As a result, we know we can support a better world through better water.” better world through better water.”

David LaFrance, CEO, AWWA David LaFrance, CEO, AWWA 3  3 

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29

Infrastructure Infrastructure

““

aging infrastructure of Great Lakes “The“The aging infrastructure of Great Lakes Water Authority continues to deteriorate, Water Authority continues to deteriorate, raising maintenance repair costs. raising maintenance andand repair costs.

To To build resiliency, we are simultaneously build resiliency, we are simultaneously working to meet stringent standards working to meet stringent standards for for clean drinking water while safesafe andand clean drinking water while investing in the maintenance renewal investing in the maintenance andand renewal of critical infrastructure is vital of critical infrastructure thatthat is vital to to community.

By prioritizing water our our community.

By prioritizing water sector financing we can better sector financing now,now, we can better

LEARN MORE: LEARN MORE: 

 M29 Water Utility Capital Financing M29 Water Utility Capital Financing



 Source Water Protection Toolkit Source Water Protection Toolkit



 AWWA Water Infrastructure Conference AWWA Water Infrastructure Conference



 AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference

provide stability while continuing provide stability while continuing to to protect water quality.” protect our our water quality.”

Cheryl Porter, Chief Operating Officer, Cheryl Porter, Chief Operating Officer, Great Lakes Water Authority Great Lakes Water Authority

4  4 

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Infrastructure, finance remain top issues Emergency preparedness jumps in importance For the ninth straight year, survey participants ranked the water sector’s two most pressing challenges as:  Renewal and replacement of aging water and wastewater infrastructure, No. 1  Financing for capital improvements, No. 2 Given the events of the past year, it’s not surprising that “emergency preparedness” made the biggest leap in this year’s ranking, up from No. 8 last year to No. 4 in the 2021 report.

Altogether, survey participants from small, medium and large utilities similarly ranked the top six challenges.

Beyond these issues, very large utility participants placed a high priority on compliance with current and future regulations. Smaller utilities were more concerned with public understanding of the value of water systems, services and resources.

At right is a list of the top 20 issues impacting the water sector compiled from survey data.

COMPLEX ISSUES, VARIED SOLUTIONS The top two recurring challenges reflect the complexity of how water utilities address and pay for the replacement of aging infrastructure. The water community, along with public and private partners, continues to develop and refine innovative solutions. These include:  WIFIA − The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) became law in 2014 due in part to the efforts of AWWA and its members.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which runs the program, reported in March 2021 that WIFIA had closed on 46 loans, providing $9 billion in financing. This helped finance $19.4 billion in water infrastructure projects in total and created 47,000 jobs.  AWIA − America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 reauthorized WIFIA and the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds through Sept. 30, 2021, the end of the federal fiscal year. During the spring of 2021, Congress began work on bills to reauthorize WIFIA and the state revolving loan fund programs with significant increases in funding.

 American Jobs Plan − While the Biden Administration’s infrastructure plan was not introduced at the time of the survey, early proposals include $56 billion in grants and loans to upgrade and modernize water systems, $45 billion for lead service line replacement and $10 billion to monitor and remediate PFAS. Congress introduced several bills in early 2021 aimed at increasing federal support for upgrading the nation’s water infrastructure.

Issues Facing the Water Industry in 2021 2021 Ranking

Water Sector Challenge

1

Renewal and replacement of aging water and wastewater infrastructure

2

Financing for capital improvements

3

Long-term water supply availability

4

Emergency preparedness

5

Public understanding of the value of water systems and services

6

Watershed/source water protection

7

Public understanding of the value of water resources

8

Aging workforce/anticipated retirements

9

Compliance with current regulations

10

Groundwater management and overuse

11

Compliance with future regulations

12

Cybersecurity issues

13

Cost recovery (pricing water to accurately reflect the cost of service)

14

Talent attraction and retention

15

Asset management

16

Water conservation/efficiency

17

Drought or periodic water shortages

18

Improving customer, constituent, and community relationships

19

Data management

20

Water loss control

©AWWA 2021 State of the Water Industry

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31

Regulatory Regulatory

““

“I served “I served on the on the AWWA AWWA Board Board of Directors of Directors when when the the National National Drinking Drinking Water Water Advisory Advisory Council Council gavegave the the EPAEPA the the recommendation recommendation to include to include leadlead service service line line removal removal as part as part of the of the Lead Lead andand Copper Copper RuleRule (LCR) (LCR) update. update.

As aAs board, a board, we endorsed we endorsed the the recommendation. recommendation.

HereHere in Green in Green Bay,Bay, we put we put together together a plan a plan of of action action to remove to remove every every leadlead service service line line — — public public andand private private — over — over the the course course

LEARN LEARN MORE: MORE: 

Source  Source Water Water Evaluation Evaluation Guide Guide for PFAS for PFAS



Summary  Summary of PFAS of PFAS Toxicological Toxicological Research Research



Lead  Lead Communications Communications Toolkit Toolkit



ANSI/AWWA  ANSI/AWWA C810, C810, Replacement Replacement and Flushing and Flushing of of LeadLead Services Services LinesLines

of five of five years. years.

ThisThis waswas accomplished accomplished by collaborating by collaborating withwith our our city,city, state, state, andand federal federal governments.” governments.”

Nancy Nancy Quirk, Quirk, General General Manager, Manager, Green Green Bay Bay Water Water Utility Utility

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Regulatory compliance an ongoing concern PFAS, lead and copper top water challenges The water sector’s ability to comply with regulations and health advisories requires extensive attention and the current focus is on addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lead in drinking water.

Survey participants reflected the weight of this responsibility in two of the top water issues identified in the 2021 report:  Compliance with current regulations, No. 9 (No. 5 among very large utility respondents)  Compliance with future regulations, No. 11 (No. 6 among very large utility respondents) All survey participants were asked about their levels of concern regarding the water sector’s ability to comply with current regulations and health advisories. The table to the right summarizes their responses.

PFOA/PFOS was determined to be the top concern for the second consecutive year. Lead and copper was second highest, moving up from No. 7 in last year’s report.

The EPA released its long-awaited revision of the Lead and Copper Rule in January 2021, as former U.S. President Trump’s administration was completing its work and newly elected President Biden was entering office.

In March 2021, under the Biden Administration, EPA published two Federal Register notices related to revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule.

Of the utility survey participants:  79% said their utility has fully implemented or is in the process of implementing a lead service line replacement program.

Regulatory concerns ranked by all survey respondents Weighted Average

% Extremely Concerned

All Respondents (n = )

PFOA/PFOS

3.14

17.6

2,136

Lead and copper

3.23

14.0

2,336

Nonpoint source pollution

3.21

12.5

2,227

Point source pollution

3.16

11.2

2,268

Pathogens

3.09

13.4

2,290

Cyanotoxins

3.09

10.0

2,105

Disinfection byproducts

3.09

9.1

2,267

Nutrients

3.08

10.0

2,201

Combined sewer overflows

3.02

10.6

2,199

Perchlorate

2.89

6.6

2,064

Arsenic

2.82

6.6

2,194

Radionuclides

2.76

7.4

2,082

Contaminant

PFOS - perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOA—perfluorooctanoic acid ©AWWA 2021 State of the Water Industry

One is a final rule extending the effective date of the Lead and Copper Rule by three months to June 17.

The second is a proposed rule on extending the effective date an additional six months, to Dec. 16, and to extend the current compliance date by nine months to Sept. 16, 2024.

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Managing Managing

““

“To “To serve serve Southern Southern California's California's growing growing population population andand economy, economy, Metropolitan's Metropolitan's integrated integrated resource resource planplan is focused is focused on on maintaining maintaining andand expanding expanding a diverse a diverse water water supply supply mix.mix.

We invest We invest in local in local resource resource programs programs suchsuch as water as water recycling, recycling, groundgroundwater water recovery recovery andand storage, storage, desalination desalination andand conservation, conservation, to offset to offset water water imported imported fromfrom Northern Northern California California andand the the Colorado Colorado River River Aqueduct.

Aqueduct.

We proactively We proactively protect protect andand manage manage source source waters waters andand optimize optimize

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treatment treatment operations operations to deliver to deliver water water thatthat meets meets or surpasses or surpasses drinking drinking water water



G480-20  G480-20 Water Water Conservation Conservation and Efficiency and Efficiency Program Program Operation Operation and Management and Management



M52  M52 Water Water Conservation Conservation Programs Programs



M71  M71 Climate Climate Action Action PlansPlans

Heather Heather Collins, Collins, Water Water Treatment Treatment Manager, Manager,



M60  M60 Drought Drought Preparedness Preparedness and Response and Response

Metropolitan Metropolitan Water Water District District of Southern of Southern

regulations regulations andand consumer consumer expectations.” expectations.”

California California 1212  

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Managing and protecting water resources Utilities making inroads in supply and quality Survey participants rated several issues related to water resources management as important challenges in the water sector. These included:  Long-term water supply availability, No. 3  Watershed/source water protection, No. 6  Groundwater management and overuse, No. 10 Utility ability to meet long-term water supply needs Fully prepared

21.1%

Very prepared

43.4%

Moderately prepared

26.5%

Slightly prepared Not at all prepared 0.0%

6.3% 1.7% 10.0%

20.0%

30.0%60.6%40.0%

50.0%

©AWWA 2021 State of the Water Industry

LONG-TERM WATER SUPPLY When asked how prepared their utility will be to meet its long-term water supply needs, the responses of utility participants indicated:

PROTECTING DRINKING WATER QUALITY One of the first critical barriers against drinking water contamination is protecting the source from potential risks and impacts. A strong source water protection program can be one of the most cost-effective methods for maintaining, safeguarding and improving the quality and quantity of source water and drinking water.

Of the utility participants in the survey:  79% said their utility had completed, or was in the process of implementing, a source water protection program  Among very large utility respondents, this increased to 86% The issue of groundwater management and overuse increased in importance in the 2019 and 2020 SOTWI reports, in part in response to increasing drought and wildfires in California and other Western states. The concern remained among the top 10 issues in the 2021 report.

Of the utility survey participants:  77% said their utility had completed, or was in the process of implementing, a groundwater management plan

 92% think their utility is moderately, very or fully prepared to meet long-term water supply needs This result is promising because just 8% indicated their organization would be challenged to meet demands, down from 12% in the 2020 and 2019 SOTWI reports. The breakdown of responses is shown in the figure above.

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35

Workforce Workforce

““

“East “East BayBay Municipal Municipal Utility Utility District District recognizes recognizes our our employees employees whowho make make it possible it possible to build, to build, maintain maintain andand operate operate the the water water andand wastewater wastewater infrastructure infrastructure thatthat supports supports our our community. community.

We are We are committed committed to attracting, to attracting, developing developing andand retaining retaining a diverse, a diverse, high-performing high-performing workforce workforce dedicated dedicated to public to public service, service, innovation innovation andand a a culture culture of inclusion of inclusion andand belonging. belonging.

We're We're proud proud of our of our internships internships andand training training programs programs for for students, students, young young adults, adults, individuals individuals withwith disabilities, disabilities, andand our our employees, employees, to promote to promote

LEARN LEARN MORE: MORE: 

Workforwater.org  Workforwater.org



Veterans  Veterans Workforce Workforce Initiative Initiative



The  Water The Water Workforce: Workforce: Strategies Strategies for Recruiting for Recruiting and Retaining and Retaining High-Performance High-Performance Employees Employees



M5  Water M5 Water Utility Utility Management Management

andand develop develop careers careers in water in water andand wastewater wastewater services.” services.”

Clifford Clifford Chan, Chan, General General Manager, Manager, EastEast Bay Bay Municipal Municipal Utility Utility District District

1414  

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Water’s most important asset: its workforce Addressing recruitment, training, retention, retirements Workforce strategies are critical for the ongoing success of the water sector. These include recruiting, training and retaining skilled employees, as well as succession planning.

According to a report from the Brookings Institution, about a third of U.S. drinking water and wastewater operators will become eligible for retirement over the next decade.

Challenges related to the water sector’s current and future workforce ranked among the top 20 in the 2021 SOTWI report. These included:

To address critical staffing shortages in water and wastewater utilities, AWWA and other public and private water-related organizations are collaborating on a national initiative spearheaded by EPA. The Water Sector Workforce Initiative will recruit, train and retain more skilled workers for water sector careers, particularly with water and wastewater utilities.

As the world’s largest organization of water supply professionals, AWWA has long been involved in educating the public about water sector careers.

This includes:

 Aging workforce/anticipated retirements, No. 8

 Providing scholarships for training and education

 Talent attraction and retention, No. 14

 Recruiting military veterans

In addition, survey participants were asked to list other issues they felt ranked at least “very important.”

Their responses included these workforce concerns:

 Transitioning service members into the water sector

 Retention of institutional knowledge of long-term retiring staff

 Offering professional development opportunities, including continuing education credits, certification programs, conference programming and other resources

 Retaining operators and training and certifying young future operators  Mentorship and building a pipeline of young talent  Training the workforce in new technology, especially programming and data analytics  Pay scale relevant to the criticality of the industry  Nationwide licensing to ease hiring from other states  Compensation to reflect the value of personnel and attract new employees with knowledge to perform the work

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ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE WATER LOSS Our Meter Data Management system helps you find water leaks, identify meter inaccuracies, catch unauthorized consumption and more.

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ADVANCE OUR PROFESSION by sharing your knowledge, expertise and experience

Breeze magazine is the official publication of our Minnesota Section of AWWA. Distributed in print to all of our members and industry stakeholders as well as online in a mobile-friendly digital edition, our industry-specific magazine will be instrumental in helping water professionals across our great state stay informed and current on the industry’s latest trends, techniques and important news.

We are looking for topical, timely and informative articles provided by operators, managers, engineers, consultants, environmentalists, etc. who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise by contributing an article to the Breeze magazine. It is an ideal way to: ✓ enhance the knowledge of your colleagues ✓ advance the water profession throughout Minnesota ✓ gain exposure and recognition with your peers

Breeze * Note: We will provide additional details and any assistance you require to ensure a smooth and efficient contribution process.

If you are interested in being published in a future issue of Breeze magazine and contributing significantly to the advancement of our profession, please contact:

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INTRODUCTION Each year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides citizens and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a report on the status of public drinking water in Minnesota. This report provides both an assessment of how well public water supply systems are doing at meeting the standards set in the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and insights about current challenges faced by public water suppliers.

Ongoing attention, investment, and response to new and ongoing challenges to our water resources is needed to maintain the ability to rely on an adequate supply of safe water. Sustainable water resources are critical to personal and public health as well as oureconomy. Protecting water sources, treating the water, and testing the water after it is treated are part of the multi-barrier approach to assuring an adequate supply of water that is safe to drink.

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MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

MINNESOTA ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR 2020 As we issue this report, we are still dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our priority has working with public water suppliers to keep them up and running as well as in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act while keeping our employees and others safe.

Through floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters that shut down businesses and other operations, public water systems have been remarkably consistent in maintaining a safe supply of water for their customers. COVID-19 is a challenge like never before, but the drinking water profession continues to come through.

Though the pandemic necessitated changes, the Drinking Water Protection (DWP) program at MDH sustained its work to keep drinking water safe for everyone, everywhere in Minnesota, in partnership with the 6,724 public water systems across the state.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Minnesota Department of Health has been issuing a report on the state of water supply and quality since 1995.

The Minnesota Department of Health began as the Minnesota State Board of Health in 1872, largely as a result of waterborne and foodborne diseases. Typhoid fever, a waterborne disease, was taking a large toll of lives at this time.

Advances in protecting water were rapid; the results were dramatic. By the early 1900s, treatment and disinfection of drinking water resulted in the virtual elimination of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A. A century later the importance of safe and sufficient water remains as strong as ever, and the challenges toward achieving this goal emerge in new and different manners.

The passage of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 established a national program of regulations and standards that covers all public water systems in the United States. MDH administers and enforces the provisions of the act through a strategic series of safeguards from sources in rivers, lakes, and groundwater until the drinking water reaches the tap. The safeguards include three basic strategies of prevention, treatment, and monitoring.

• Prevention focuses on controlling potential sources of pollution and managing land uses in the area where rain drains to become groundwater that supplies a well. Prevention activities also include plan review, advice on construction of water treatment and distribution facilities, and inspection of these facilities on a regular basis.

• Treatment measures, including disinfection, are used to make the water safe to drink.

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• Monitoring of public water supplies for more than 100 potentially harmful contaminants on a routine basis is a critical element in the state’s enforcement responsibilities that ensure safe drinking water.

The aim of this report is to provide the people of Minnesota with a clearer picture of what is being done to protect the quality of their drinking water and what our monitoring efforts have revealed about the success of those efforts.

A CURRENT PROFILE OF MINNESOTA’S DRINKING WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM Since 1974, the EPA has been responsible for regulating the nation’s public water supply systems, under the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. However, almost all states, including Minnesota, have assumed responsibility for enforcing the act within their own borders. Minnesota became one of the first states to achieve primacy, and to begin regulating public water supply systems at the state level, in 1976.

The definition of ‘public water supply system,’ for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water Act, is a broad one. To be considered ‘public,’ a water supply system must have its own water source and provide water to 25 or more people, or have 15 or more service connections.

Minnesota currently has 6,724 public water supply systems.

Of those systems, 964 are community systems, which provide water to people in their homes or places of residence. Most of these community systems use groundwater from underground sources, tapped by wells, as their source of water. However, 24 of these systems, including the municipal systems that serve the state’s largest cities, use surface water drawn from lakes or rivers.

Of the state’s 964 community water systems, 729 are municipal systems, serving towns or cities. The rest of the community systems provide water to people in a variety of residential locations, including manufactured home parks, apartment buildings, housing subdivisions, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

The rest of the state’s 5,760 public water supply systems are noncommunity systems. Some of these noncommunity systems provide water to an ever-changing ‘transient’ population at places such as restaurants, resorts, and highway rest stops. Other noncommunity systems may provide water to relatively stable population groups in non-residential locations such as schools, places of employment, and day-care facilities.

MINNESOTA ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR 2020

Protecting and supplying safe water depends on many organizations and individuals. While the Minnesota Department of Health administers and enforces the provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act on behalf of the EPA, we rely on our partners in in areas ranging from government to industry to non-profit organizations to take an active role and contribute this quest.

These partners include everyone, including individual citizens.

Everyone plays a part in ensuring safe water. As always, our aim with this report is to provide Minnesotans with a clearer picture of what is done to protect the quality of their drinking water and the success of the efforts to do so.

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THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF DRINKING WATER PROTECTION Three basic strategies are used to safeguard the quality of our drinking water: • Prevention. Preventing contamination of the source water used by public water supply systems – lakes, rivers, and water wells – is an important component of drinking water protection.

This aspect of drinking water protection includes measures such as regulating land use, regulating the construction of water treatment facilities, and controlling potential sources of pollution.

• Treatment. Most community water supply systems use some form of treatment so the water will be palatable and safe to drink. Many systems require routine disinfection as a safeguard against potential problems with bacteriological contamination. Groundwater systems are less likely to require disinfection, because wells that are properly constructed and are located in a non-vulnerable aquifer are less susceptible to surface contamination.

• Monitoring. Monitoring is the critical element of compliance activities under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Under provisions of the act, public water supply systems are required to sample treated – or ‘finished’ – water on a regular basis and submit the samples to the MDH lab for analysis. The samples are tested for a broad range of potential contaminants. If unacceptable levels of contaminants are found, the water supply owner or operator

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is legally responsible for informing the people who use the water and for taking steps to eliminate potential health hazards.

Under the provisions of the SDWA, the individual public water supply system is responsible for taking water samples and submitting them to certified laboratories for analysis. To lessen the burden on water supply operators, most of the required samples are collected by field staff from MDH. Minnesota’s public water supply operators have one of the best records in the nation regarding compliance with these sampling and testing requirements.

MONITORING: WHAT WE TEST FOR – AND WHY Minnesota’s community water supplies are tested for a number of different types of contaminants. The reasons for testing – and how often the testing is done – depend on the type of contaminant and other factors. The type of contaminant also determines what actions will be taken if unacceptable levels are found in the water.

The major types of contaminants we test for include: Pesticides and Industrial Contaminants. Minnesota’s community water supply systems are routinely tested for more than 100 different pesticides and industrial contaminants, including synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Systems may be tested anywhere from four times a year to once every six years, depending on the specific chemical and the vulnerability of the system to contamination (see Assessing Vulnerability to Contamination below). Some systems

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per month for coliform bacteria. Smaller systems are tested four times a year. The coliform test is used as a general indicator of water quality in the system, in terms of potential microbial contamination. If the coliform test is negative, it is an indication that the system is adequately protected against contamination from other types of disease- causing organisms. However, if coliform bacteria are found in the water, it is assumed that the system may be compromised, and steps are taken to protect the people who use the water.

Total coliform bacteria (without the detection of fecal coliform or E. coli) are generally not harmful. In these cases, the system will identify the source of the contamination, correct the problem, and thoroughly disinfect its system. The public will also be notified of the situation; however, unless unusual circumstances exist to cause particular concern about the safety of the water, a boil water notice would not be issued as would be if fecal coliform or E. coli were found.

Nitrate/Nitrite. Community water supply systems in Minnesota are tested once a year for nitrate, a chemical which may occur naturally in the environment but that can also enter the water from sources like fertilizer run-off, decaying plant and animal wastes, and sewage. Nitrate is a health concern primarily for infants under the age of six months. The infant’s digestive system can convert the nitrate to nitrite, which can interfere with the ability of the infant’s blood to carry oxygen. The result is a

Fall 2021 | Breeze

MINNESOTA ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR 2020

may not need to do any testing for a particular contaminant. A formal use waiver is sometimes granted, specifically exempting a water supply system from testing for a particular contaminant, if that chemical or pesticide is not commonly used in the immediate area.

The EPA has developed legal standards known as maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for 60 of the more common pesticides and industrial contaminants found in drinking water. Advisory standards have been developed for the other pesticides and industrial contaminants, and those are used in the same way as the MCLs in assessing test results.

Any time a community water system exceeds the MCL for one of these contaminants, the water supply operator, with the assistance of MDH, must notify the people who use the water.

Appropriate steps are then taken to reduce the contamination.

In some cases, the MCL or advisory standard is calculated to prevent immediate or short-term health effects. More often, however, these standards are designed to reduce the long-term risk of developing cancer or other chronic health conditions. They are calculated very conservatively. If the concern is long-term health effects, the standards are calculated to keep the risk of illness at levels most people would regard as negligible – even if they drink the water every day, over an entire 70-year lifetime.

Bacterial Contamination. Community water supply systems serving more than 1,000 people are tested one or more times

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serious illness known as methemoglobinemia, or ‘blue baby syndrome.’ Methemoglobinemia can be fatal if nitrate levels in the water are high enough and the illness isn’t treated properly.

The MCL for nitrate in drinking water is 10 parts per million (ppm). If a water supply system exceeds the standard, the people who use the water are notified and advised not to use the water for mixing infant formula or other uses that might result in consumption of the water by infants under six months of age. The advisory is kept in place until steps can be taken to reduce nitrate levels in the water. Possible remedial measures include treating the water to remove the nitrate or drilling a new water well.

Older children and adults are generally not at risk from drinking nitrate-contaminated water. In fact, the average adult consumes about 20 to 25 milligrams of nitrate per day in food, primarily from vegetables. Because of changes that occur after six months of age, the digestive tract no longer converts nitrate into nitrite.

However, some adults – including people with low stomach acidity and people with certain blood disorders – may still be at risk for nitrate-induced methemoglobinemia.

Inorganic Chemicals. Community water systems in Minnesota are tested for 13 other inorganic chemicals in addition to nitrate. If past results don’t indicate the presence of inorganic chemicals, testing is usually done once every nine years; otherwise, it may be done as often as once a year. The list includes antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cyanide, fluoride, mercury, nickel, selenium, sulfate, and thallium. In some cases, these chemicals may be naturally present in the groundwater. If a water supply system were to exceed the MCL for one of these chemicals, the people who use the water would be notified, and appropriate steps would be taken to reduce levels of these chemicals in the water.

Radioactive Elements. Community water systems in Minnesota are also usually tested once every three years – or as often as once a year, in some cases – for a list of radioactive elements. These radioactive elements, or radiochemicals, are present in the water from natural sources. If a system were to exceed the federal MCL for one of these radioactive elements, the people who use the water would be notified and steps would be taken to correct the problem.

Disinfection By-products. Disinfection rids drinking water of microbiological organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, that can cause and spread diseases. The most common method of disinfection is the addition of chlorine to drinking water supplies.

Not only is chlorine effective against waterborne bacteria and viruses in the source water, it also provides residual protection to inhibit microbial growth after the treated water enters the distribution system. This means it continues working to keep the water safe as it travels from the treatment plant to the consumer’s tap.

However, even though chlorine has been a literal lifesaver with regard to drinking water, it also has the potential to form by-products that are known to produce harmful health effects.

Chlorine can combine with organic materials in the raw water to create contaminants called trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Repeated exposure to elevated levels of THMs over a long period of time could increase a person’s risk of cancer.

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The formation of disinfection by-products is a greater concern for water systems that contain organics or use surface water, such as rivers, lakes, and streams, as their source. Surface water sources are more likely to contain the organic materials that combine with chlorine to form THMs and HAAs. All community water systems that add a disinfectant to the water must regularly test their treated water to determine if THMs and HAAs are present. If the THMs or HAAs exceed the limits set by the EPA, the water system must take action to correct the problem. The corrective actions include notifying all residents served by the water system.

Lead and Copper. All community and nontransient public water systems have been tested for lead and copper. In community water systems, the water was tested in a number of homes within each system to determine if they exceeded the federal ‘action level’ of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead or 1,300 ppb for copper. If a system exceeded the action level for lead or copper in more than 10% of the locations tested, it was required to take corrective action and do further testing. Current testing requirements are based partly on the results of that initial round of testing and of the success of subsequent efforts to reduce risk of lead contamination in systems that have previously exceeded the action level.

Lead in drinking water is not an environmental contamination problem in the conventional sense. Water is almost never contaminated with lead at the source or when it first enters the distribution system. However, water can absorb lead from plumbing components used in individual homes. Possible sources of lead contamination include lead pipe, lead plumbing solder, and brass fixtures. Lead exposure is a potentially serious health concern, especially for young children. However, the water must usually be in contact with lead plumbing components for an extended period of time, usually by standing in the system overnight, before it can absorb potentially hazardous levels of lead. Consumers can usually protect themselves simply by turning on the faucet and letting the water run for 30 seconds, or until it runs cold, before using it for drinking or cooking. Those in homes with lead service connections should run the water an additional 30 seconds after it turns cold.

While most people are subject to lead exposure from a number of possible sources – and drinking water typically accounts for a relatively small proportion of a person’s total lead exposure – it is also one of the easiest sources of lead exposure to control and eliminate. Some Minnesota water supply systems address the issue by treating their water before it reaches a person’s home, so it will be less likely to absorb lead from plumbing.

ASSESSING VULNERABILITY TO CONTAMINATION Monitoring requirements for individual public water supply systems depend partly on how vulnerable the system is to contamination. MDH does vulnerability assessments of water supply systems, taking into account a number of factors. For groundwater systems, these include well construction, geologic setting, water quality, and well use. High vulnerability conditions leads to more aggressive sampling, monitoring, inspection, and other actions than low vulnerability conditions require.

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MONITORING TEST RESULTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2020 This is a summary of results of monitoring performed in 2020. In the case of a violation, a water system takes corrective actions.

These actions include public notification to inform affected residents of the situation and if there are any special precautions they should take. In all cases noted here, residents were advised directly by the water system at the time the violation occurred.

All community water systems have also noted any violations in the annual water quality reports (also called Consumer Confidence Reports) they distribute to their residents. Information on a complete summary of monitoring results in 2019 is in the appendix.

Minnesota has 964 community water suppliers, systems that serve water to people in their homes; 729 of these are municipal water systems.

Minnesota also approximately 5,760 noncommunity water suppliers, which serve water to people in places outside their homes. These can be schools and businesses that have their own water supply (that aren’t on city water). They can also be resorts, restaurants, highway rest stops, and state parks.

Those that serve the same group of people every day, such as schools and businesses, are known as nontransient noncommunity systems. Those that serve a differing group of people are transient noncommunity water systems. Nontransient systems are monitored for the same group of contaminants as

community water systems. Though larger in number of systems, transient noncommunity systems do not need to be monitored as extensively as nontransient systems; since they serve different people on a day-by-day basis, transient systems need to be sampled only for coliform bacteria and nitrate, contaminants that can cause immediate illness.

Information on all violations for community and noncommunity water systems is in the appendix below.

PESTICIDES AND INDUSTRIAL CONTAMINANTS During 2020, MDH conducted 20,928 tests for pesticides and industrial contaminants in community water systems. No systems violated drinking water standards for these contaminants.

MDH conducted approximately 10,094 tests for pesticides and industrial contaminants in the 488 nontransient noncommunity water systems in the state. No systems violated drinking water standards for these contaminants.

MINNESOTA ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR 2020

In general, groundwater systems tend to be less vulnerable to certain types of contamination than surface water systems.

Water tends to be naturally filtered as it moves downward through the earth, making its way from the surface to the underground aquifers tapped by water wells. That process can remove certain kinds of surface contaminants, including bacteria and parasites such as Cryptosporidium. For that reason, many groundwater systems do not routinely include disinfection as part of their normal water treatment procedures.

BACTERIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION No community water systems exceeded the standard for bacteriological contamination in 2020.

All noncommunity water systems – transient and nontransient – are monitored for bacteriological contamination. There were 12 violations among the 5,760 noncommunity systems, which worked with MDH staff to disinfect their systems and retest the water.

NITRATE/NITRITE Three community systems exceeded the standard for nitrate in 2020.

Six noncommunity systems (transient and nontransient) exceeded the standard for nitrate in 2020. These systems notified the people who used the water, offering bottled water to those with infants, while working with MDH staff to remedy the problems.

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ARSENIC Three community water systems and three noncommunity water systems exceeded the standard for arsenic by the end of 2019.

No restrictions were placed on water consumption although residents were notified of the situation. Residents were told that this was not an emergency situation and were advised to consult with their doctors if they have any special concerns. Each of these systems has begun the process to meet the maximum contaminant level. Examples of actions systems may take include researching, starting, or completing approved infrastructure or operational changes.

OTHER INORGANIC CHEMICALS No community or noncommunity water systems exceeded the standard for other inorganic chemicals in 2020.

RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS Radiation occurs naturally in the ground, and some radioactive elements may work their way into drinking water. Eleven community water systems exceeded the standard for radium 226 & 228 and/or gross alpha emitters by the end of 2020.

No restrictions were placed on water consumption although residents were notified of the situation. Residents were told that this was not an emergency situation and were advised to consult with their doctors if they have any special concerns. Each of

these systems has either started or completed infrastructure changes or is studying alternatives to meet the maximum contaminant level.

Noncommunity water systems are not regulated for radioactive elements.

DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS One community water system and no noncommunity water systems exceeded the standard for disinfection by-products in 2020.

LEAD AND COPPER As a result of the Lead and Copper Rule, implemented by the EPA in 1991, community water systems began sampling for lead and copper in 1992. These contaminants differ from others in that they are rarely present in source water. Rather, lead and copper may appear in water by dissolving from parts of the distribution system, often household plumbing. Monitoring for lead and copper is done in individual homes and on a case-by-case basis. Samples are taken after the water has been idle, resulting in elevated levels. If more than 10% of the homes sampled in a community are above the action level (15 parts per billion for lead and 1,300 ppb for copper), the water system will be in exceedance and must take corrective actions and begin an ongoing public education program.

The actions include corrosion control measures, such as adjusting

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APPENDIX The summary includes results for both community and noncommunity public water systems in Minnesota in 2020.

Public water supply systems include all systems that serve 25 or more people on a regular basis, or that have 15 or more service connections. There are 6,724 such systems in Minnesota, including: • 964 community systems, which provide water to consumers in their places of residence, including 730 municipal systems.

• 5,760 noncommunity systems, which provide drinking water in settings like factories, schools, restaurants, and highway rest stops.

Information about violations of primary drinking water standards includes the following: • Maximum contaminant level (MCL) violations.

• Maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) violations.

• Treatment technique requirement (TT) violations.

• Significant monitoring and reporting requirements (M/R) violations.

• Significant monitoring requirement (M) violations.

• Significant reporting requirement (R) violations.

• Variances and exemption violations.

• Recordkeeping violations.

• Significant public notification requirement violations.

• Significant consumer confidence report (CCR) notification requirement violations.

A report that lists all violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Minnesota for calendar year 2020 is available from the Drinking Water Protection Section, Minnesota Department of Health, Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975, 651-201-4700, health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us.

MINNESOTA ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR 2020

water chemistry to make it less corrosive or less likely to absorb lead and/or copper from the plumbing.

In 2020, one community system exceeded the lead action level, and 28 community systems exceeded the copper action level; five noncommunity systems exceeded the lead action level, and six noncommunity systems exceeded the copper action level. These systems are exploring options for getting back into compliance and conducting a public education program. The Minnesota Department of Health continues to work with these systems and has been doing its own education campaign since the early 1990s with information about lead and copper and simple precautions, such as flushing faucets when the water hasn’t been used for several hours, people can follow to reduce their exposure.

Individual water systems produce an annual report listing contaminants that were detected, even in trace amounts, during the previous calendar year. Please contact the individual water system if you would like a copy of this report.

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MINNESOTA ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT FOR 2020

PARTNERS We acknowledge the many citizens, professionals, organizations, and agencies that work to protect and restore our water resources and provide safe drinking water to Minnesota citizens. Some areas in Minnesota have aquifers so pristine that at this time they require no treatment to provide safe drinking water. However, our ground and surface waters can be contaminated both by natural processes and by our human activities, and demand for water keeps increasing across Minnesota. It is because of the work of these people as individuals and as members of businesses, organizations, and government agencies that anywhere in Minnesota, citizens can feel confident that the drinking water provided by public water supplies meets all federal drinking water standards.

Our thanks to: Minnesota Rural Water Association Water Bar American Water Works Association and its Minnesota Section Local government staff including counties, townships, and municipalities Nonmunicipal public water system staff and operators Landowners Business and industry owners Food, beverage, and lodging facilities owners and staff

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Manufactured housing development operators Schools and churches Treatment and correctional Facilities Board of Water and Soil Resources Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Department of Agriculture Metropolitan Council Environmental Quality Board Clean Water Council Public Facilities Authority Elkay H2O for Life U. S. and Minnesota Geological Survey Minnesota Ground Water Association Minnesota Water Well Association Suburban Utility Superintendents Association Water Resource Programs at Vermilion Community College, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, the University of Minnesota, and St. Paul College Association of State Drinking Water Administrators U. S. Environmental Protection Agency SAFE DRINKING WATER IS EVERYONE’S JOB Minnesota Department of Health Drinking Water Protection Section 651-201-4700 health.drinkingwater@state.mn.us www.health.state.mn.us •

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The "Full Service, One Stop Shop" for your Water Systems Equipment and Service.

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Well Drilling Well rehabilitation Well sealing & casing perforation Water testing Well screen jetting & chemical treatment Discharge pipeline component repairs & replacement Water meter repair, replacement and upgrading VFD Maintenance, repairs and replacements Water level monitoring equipment Video well inspections Pumps and motors Pump & motor reconditioning Temporary or rental pumps Pump station repair Pump tests to 5,000 GPM

SERVING CUSTOMERS SINCE 1948 Engineers | Scientists | Consultants | Constructors St. Paul | Harold Voth | 651.468.2073 ©2021 Brown and Caldwell.

Bergerson Caswell Inc.

5115 Industrial Street · Maple Plain, MN 55359 (763) 479-3121 · (800) 328-6188 · FAX: (763) 479-2183

www.bergersoncaswell.com

Water is the driving force in nature.

— Leonardo da Vinci

ARCHITECTS

52

Breeze | Fall 2021

ENGINEERS

SCIENTISTS

SURVEYORS

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When addressing contamination in our drinking water,

experts choose experts.

800.4CARBON | info@calgoncarbon.com | calgoncarbon.com

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Fall 2021 | Breeze

53

M N AW WA Advertiser Product & Service Center Breeze is made possible by the companies below who convey their impor tant messages on our pages. We thank them for their suppor t of The Minnesota Section American Water Works Association ( MN AWWA) and its publication and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their adver tisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website.

Page

Phone Number

Web Address

Company

Page

Phone Number

Web Address

AE2S

42

701-364-9111

www.ae2s.com

Master Electric

21

855-99TESTT

www.testtcompany.com

American Ductile Iron Pipe

40

205-325-7701

www.american-usa.com

Metering and Technology Solutions

12

877-398-0450

www.metertechsolutions.com

Apex Engineering Group

40

701-373-7980

www.apexenggroup.com

Mid America Meter, Inc.

43

800-324-0365

www.midamericameter.com

AV-Tek, Inc.

3

801-637-8541

www.avtekvalves.com

Minnesota Pump Works

2

877-645-8004

www.minnesotapumpworks.com

Barr Engineering Company

52

952-832-2619

www.barr.com

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

16

800-362-4505

www.msa-ps.com

Bergerson Caswell

52

763-479-3121

www.bergersoncaswell.com

Northern Dewatering, Inc.

6

763-428-2616

www.northerndewatering.com

Black & Veatch Corporation

16

952-896-0500

www.bv.com

Bolton & Menk, Inc.

22

507-625-4171

www.bolton-menk.com

Northwestern Power Equipment Company

56

651-628-0683

www.nwpeco.com

Brown and Caldwell

52

800-727-2224

www.brownandcaldwell.com

48

270-826-9000

www.pttg.com

Calgon Carbon Corporation

53

800-4CARBON

www.calgoncarbon.com

Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co., Inc.

Core & Main

4

952-937-9666

www.coreandmain.com

Preload, LLC

14

631-231-8100

www.preload.com

Dakota Supply Group

20

800-328-3976

www.dakotasupplygroup.com

Professional Computer Solutions, LLC

38

888-843-3106

www.pcs-csa.com

SEH

17

651-490-2000

www.sehinc.com

Stantec

14

651-604-4706

www.stantec.com

Team Laboratory Chemical Corp.

55

800-522-8326

www.teamlab.net

Thompson

9

866-258-8462

www.thompsonknows.com

TKDA

50

651-292-4621

www.tkda.com

Treatment Resources, Inc.

49

651-702-2692

www.treatmentresources.com

8, 19

952-941-2678

www.vessco.com

Company

E.H. Renner & Sons, Inc.

43

763-427-6100

www.ehrenner.com

Electric Pump, Inc.

47

800-211-6432

www.electricpump.com

ESS Brothers & Sons, Inc.

39

Ferguson Waterworks

10

General Repair Service

7

763-478-2027

www.essbrothers.com www.ferguson.com/waterworks

800-767-5151

www.generalrepair.com

Hawkins Water Treatment Group

51

800-328-5460

www.hawkinsinc.com

HR Green, Inc.

49

800-728-7805

www.hrgreen.com

Vessco

ISG

51

507-387-6651

www.isginc.com

W. W. Goetsch Associates, Inc.

42

952-831-4340

info@wwgoetsch.com

48

612-600-8716

www.watermainleaklocator.com

Janssen Machine Co.

45

218-493-4470

www.janssenmachine.com

Water Conservation Services, Inc.

KLJ

13

800-213-3860

www.kljeng.com

Widseth

52

218-829-5117

www.widseth.com

KLM Engineering, Inc.

44

888-959-5111

www.klmengineering.com

WSB

42

763-541-4800

www.wsbeng.com

M.E. Simpson Co., Inc.

18

800-255-1521

www.mesimpson.com

Ziegler Cat

50

952-885-8218

www.zieglercat.com

Breeze To reach water professionals through Breeze magazine and its targeted readership, contact Jeff at your earliest convenience to discuss your company’s promotional plans for 2021.

Jeff Kutny, Marketing Manager 1-866-985-9789 | jeff@kelman.ca

54

Breeze | Fall 2021

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Engineered for today.

Built for a life�me.

When Cla-Val built their first automa�c control valve nearly 84 years ago, they knew they had something special. Since then, Cla-Val’s product line has grown to include an extensive range of hydraulic and electronic valves and accessories to ensure excep�onal performance and reliability.

Electronic Control with standard and customized ValvApps™ Pilot Operated Hydraulic Valves

Electronically Actuated Valves

Electronic Inser�on Flow Meter

serving the Minnesota waterworks industry since 1972

Northwestern Power Equipment Co., Inc. PO Box 131180 • Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 651.628.0683 • www.nwpeco.com

djkluck@nwpeco.com

www.cla-val.com