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6 Summer 2014 Stormwater runoff occurs when pre- cipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. It is critical to allow clean stormwater runoff to soak into the ground to replenish drinking wa- ter supplies. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets pre- vent stormwater from naturally soak- ing into the ground. Stormwater can pick up debris, chem- icals, and other pollutants and carry them into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, or wetland. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into bodies of water we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water. The City of Lake Elmo is working cooperatively with homeowners to implement stormwater preventive measures to help protect drinking wa- ter supplies. Treating drinking water is becoming increasingly expensive so keeping groundwater and surface waters clean saves money and keeps you safe and healthy. Several ways you can help protect drinking water: • Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing into the storm drain and eventually into your local body of water. • Check vehicles, and other machinery for leaks and spills. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material like kitty litter or sand, and don’t rinse the spills into a nearby storm drain. • Recycle used oil and other automo- tive fluids at participating service sta- tions. Don’t dump these chemicals down the storm drain or dispose of them in your trash. • Select native plants and grasses that are drought resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pes- ticides. • Sweep up yard debris, rather than hosing down areas. Compost or re- cycle yard waste when possible. • Don’t over water your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day, and don’t let water run off into the storm drain. Visit www.pca.state.mn.us/water/ stormwater/index.html for more infor- mation. Stormwater: A Threat to Drinking Water Supplies Demonstrating its commitment to public health protection and the public’s right-to-know about local environmental information, the U.S. Environmental Protec- tion Agency (EPA) requires com- munity water systems to put an- nual drinking water quality reports into the hands of their customers. These reports (also known as consumer confidence reports), which the EPA developed in con- sultation with water suppliers, environmental groups, and the states, will enable Americans to make practical, knowledgeable decisions about their health and their environment. A copy of the 2013 Consumer Confidence Report is available for download at www.lakeelmo.org/ ccr. For more information, contact City Hall at 651-747-3900. Annual Water Quality Report Available Online The City of Lake Elmo, Washington County and the Val- ley Branch Watershed District will study the possibility of diverting drainage from the downtown area in an attempt to solve a decades old problem prior to the reconstruction of Lake Elmo Avenue in 2015. The three entities will look at diverting surface drainage to Sunfish Lake Park to the west and to Goetschel Pond to the northeast as a way of managing the volume and rate of water as it approaches the Old Village. Sunfish Lake is considered to be an impaired lake by the Valley Branch Watershed District due to low volume and water quality. It is thought that the diversion of water may help the condition of this basin. Any diversion to Sunfish Lake would have to be met with the approval of landown- ers adjacent to the lake. Diverting water to Goetschel Pond will relieve pressure on storage ponds along Highway 5 that eventually drain in Downs Lake. These ponds have been known to crest after significant rain events causing flooding concerns to adja- cent properties and Highway 5. “It appears that new growth and the rebuilding of Lake Elmo Avenue have given us a unique opportunity to work together to protect public and private property from flood damage. My thanks go out to Washington County and the Valley Branch for partnering with us on this important is- sue,” said Mayor Mike Pearson. Partnership Will Study Drainage to Mitigate Downtown Flooding The City is working on developing solutions for downtown drainage issues.