01-06-2020 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APPROVED 2 Mr. Johnson explained that every community has a peaking factor equal to the most water 41 it will use during a year divided by average day consumptions. In Minnesota there is a 42 wide range in those factors, meaning there can a lot more water used in the summer than 43 winter. 44 Mayor Rafferty asked about long range plans for providing water to the current and future 45 population. Community Development Director Grochala said full build out is estimated 46 to require 12 to 13 wells. 47 Council Member Lyden asked about other cities that are facing this situation. Also how 48 can the City be assured that a future well wouldn’t have the same issue? Mr. Johnson 49 noted that typically a test well is drilled in order to pretest water before a final well is 50 done. Other cities have acted in different manner; he’s seen some be proactive 51 (Brooklyn Center recently built a water plant). Council Member Lyden asked if there is 52 any way to improve the “bad” wells and Mr. Johnson spoke to the source of water and 53 explained that in the northern metro there are certain limits to what water is accessible in 54 terms of aquafers. 55 Council Member Stoesz suggested that science has a way of reinterpreting guidelines 56 such as these. Are the Health Department’s recommendations subjective? Mr. Johnson 57 suggested that the recommendations may be different state by state but they are generally 58 based on scientific research done by the EPA. Director DeGardner added that 59 manganese is an unregulated contaminant now and cities aren’t required to test for it. 60 Mr. DeGardner added that there are a lot of factors to consider leading to discussion 61 about the long term approach; a large part of staff’s current approach is to make residents 62 aware. 63 Mayor Rafferty stated that it is appropriate that the City is looking closely at the situation 64 and discussing how to address the situation. 65 Council Member Ruhland asked if there is a technique to utilize all wells but turn down 66 the amount for a balancing effect. Mr. Johnson said the City does have the ability to 67 adjust the flow. 68 Council Member Ruhland asked about the new well planned for Birch Street; how did 69 that test? Mr. Johnson said the test for that well came out with lower numbers but he did 70 suggest that amounts can change in the same vicinity. 71 The council and staff discussed the City’s peak period use and how water use can be 72 restricted. Justin Williams, Utilities Supervisor, explained how the City is currently 73 blending water by monitoring the water tower levels. 74 Director DeGardner remarked that the City is doing what it can and is informing the 75 residents. He added that the City’s water hasn’t changed but again this is a newly 76 identified element that is measured. 77