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Feasibility Study <br />Water Treatment Plant <br />City of Lino Lakes, MN <br />WSB Project No. 015822-000 Page 8 <br />Inorganic Chemicals - Inorganic contaminants can leach into drinking water after <br />dissolving from naturally-occurring minerals in the ground, or from runoff from industrial <br />sources or landfills. Inorganic chemicals have not been detected at significant <br />concentrations in Lino Lakes’ water supply. Barium has been detected in Lino Lakes’ <br />water supply at 0.13 parts per million but is significantly lower than the MCL of 2 parts per <br />million. Barium can be removed via precipitative softening, ion exchange, and reverse <br />osmosis. <br />Organic Chemicals - Organic chemicals are classified as a volatile organic chemical <br />[VOC] or a synthetic organic chemical [SOC]. Organic contaminants come from <br />petroleum solvents, paint removers, degreasers, cleaning fluids, pesticides, gasoline, <br />electrical transformers, manufacturing processes, chemical production, byproducts from <br />disinfection, and the production of plastics. Agricultural runoff, improper waste disposal, <br />and improper handling and storage techniques contribute to drinking water contamination <br />via percolation of the contaminant through the soil into the groundwater. Organic <br />chemicals have not been detected in Lino Lakes’ water supply. <br />Radionuclides - Radionuclides are alpha emitters, which include radium and uranium, <br />occur naturally in certain groundwaters in the state due to the geological formations, <br />particularly in the deeper aquifers. Beta emitters are usually the result of manmade <br />sources or activities. Radionuclides have not been detected in Lino Lakes’ water supply. <br />Lead and Copper - Community water supply systems have participated in efforts to <br />reduce lead and copper contamination in drinking water. Lead and copper are not <br />typically present in the water when it leaves the treatment plant. Lead and copper differ <br />from other contaminants in that they are rarely present in source waters. Rather, they <br />enter the water through contact with plumbing components, usually in individual homes. <br />If more than 10 percent of the homes in a community exceed the federal “action level” for <br />lead or copper, based on the results of community-wide monitoring, the water system <br />must do additional testing and take steps to reduce levels. Systems that exceed the <br />action level for lead must also perform an ongoing program of public education. Lead and <br />Copper have not been detected at significant concentrations in Lino Lakes’ water <br />distribution system. <br />3.2.5 Proposed Future Drinking Water Regulations <br />The proposed future drinking water regulations proposed by EPA include the following <br />regulations: <br />Perchlorate Rule <br />Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made chemical that is used to produce <br />rocket fuel, fireworks, flares and explosives. Perchlorate can also be present in bleach <br />and in some fertilizers. Perchlorate may have adverse health effects because scientific <br />research indicates that this contaminant can disrupt the thyroid’s ability to produce <br />hormones needed for normal growth and development. EPA is developing a proposed <br />national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate. EPA is using peer reviewed <br />science and data to develop the perchlorate drinking water regulation. EPA is evaluating <br />the available science on perchlorate health effects and exposure. EPA is also evaluating <br />laboratory methods for measuring and treatment technologies for removing perchlorate in <br />drinking water. Treatment processes currently considered effective include ion exchange, <br />biological treatment, tailored granular activated carbon, and membrane separation. EPA <br />is also evaluating costs and benefits of potential regulatory options for perchlorate. The <br />proposed Perchlorate Rule is not expected to affect Lino Lakes.