Agenda - Council - 05/07/2019 - Special

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Our Mistioi}: To work together to reipoiibly grew our comma nityr, and to provide quality, cent-oliBcdwe, and efficient government services. CC Special Session Meeting Date: 05/07/2019 Submitted For: Grant Riemer, Engineering/Public Works By: Grant Riemer, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Discuss Manganese Concentration Levels in Ramsey's Municipal Drinking Water 4. 2. Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to discuss the manganese concentrations produced by several of the city's municipal wells. Background: On April 2nd staff received notice from the MDH (Minnesota Department of Health) that well # 1 and well #4 had been tested as part of the UCMR (unregulated contaminant monitoring rule) project in June of 2018. These wells had been found to exceed the MDH developed health -based guidance for manganese in drinking water of 100 ppb (parts per billion). MDH guidance values are developed to protect people who are most vulnerable to the potentially harmful effects of a contaminant. A person drinking water at or below the guidance value would be at little or no risk for harmful health effects. For infants that are not drinking tap water or formula mixed with tap water, children over one year old, and adults, manganese in drinking water up to 300 ppb poses little or no health risk. MDH uses and develops guidance values to protect people's health from contaminants in groundwater used as a source of drinking water. Because these are guidance values, public water systems are not required to meet these values and some do not. Joining us to explain these findings and their impact will be Brian Noma, who is the Public Health Engineer assigned to our water system and Anna Arkin who is also from the MDH, who specializes in Strategic Initiatives and Communications. Notification: Manganese is an unregulated contaminant which does not carry a legally enforceable Minimum Concentration Limit (MCL). However, the City is required to include a note in our annual Consumer Confidence Report that several of our wells exceed the guidance limit for manganese. To ensure all residents and businesses receive the same message, City Staff has developed a draft letter that can be mailed and posted on-line. A draft copy of this letter is attached for Council review and discussion. Observations/Alternatives: