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AND <br />APPROVAL OF PLAN (PART 2) <br />PREAMBLE: <br />Statement of Purpose <br />The purpose of this resolution is to approve the Wellhead Proteection Plan for the City's <br />wells which has been presented to the Lake Elmo City Council. <br />Background <br />Groundwater is an essential source of fresh water for the public water supply system of <br />the City of Lake Elmo. <br />Virtually any activity on the surface of the ground which involves hazardous substances <br />may contaminate the groundwater. Once polluted, groundwater is difficult, and <br />sometimes impossible, to clean. The natural microorganisms which help break down <br />some pollutants on the surface of the ground and in the top soil layers are not present (or <br />not present in sufficient quantities) in groundwater. The slow rates of groundwater flow, <br />ranging from one foot per day to one foot in fifty years, limit dilution or dispersal of <br />contaminants. Groundwater contaminated by today's land uses and activities may remain <br />contaminated for hundreds of years. <br />The State Of Minnesota (Department of Health) Wellhead Protection Program is <br />requiring all public water suppliers to develop local wellhead protection programs. A <br />complete program submission includes the following key elements: <br />1. Identification of roles and responsibilities <br />2. Assessment of data elements <br />3. Delineation of Wellhead Protection Area(s) <br />4. Vulnerability assessment <br />5. Identification of potential sources of contamination <br />6. Establishment of management strategies for the Wellhead Protection Area <br />7. Evaluation program <br />